Edition #2: A Symbol of Who We Are
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Many worldwide communities have a universally recognized symbol of who or what they are. Some of them are more "public" than others. The BDSM community has it's symbol. Various religions of the world have their symbols. Even some neighborhood communities have symbols to represent who they understand themselves to be. And of course, most people into sports would readily recognize the symbols of their favorite teams or event. Symbols are a part of who people are...a part of their identity. (illustrations below)
In ancient times, the sight of a cross brought fear and shame to all who gazed upon it. It was a means of humiliation, torture and execution. Today, for millions of Christians around the world, it is now a symbol of victory, rejoicing, faith. and gratitude. Over the centuries, a set of stocks or a whip was seen as a tool of punishment and something to be avoided. Handcuffs are generally seen as a tool of law enforcement, someone seen wearing them considered to be "bad" in some way. But, for those who enjoy the SM lifestyle, these can also represent a way to surrender to another and a promise of an encounter to come. An arrow is just an arrow until it's put on a sign and becomes a means to show people which way to go. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
What about us...the Tickling Community? What kinds of things illustrate who we are? Many of us, as tickle lovers, may relate the image of a feather to tickling. While it doesn't necessarily work for all as a tool, the simple fact that it has been used to represent tickling in the past still gives it power. And that's really what symbols are all about. Isn't it? It's an image used to represent who we are. It gets it's meaning not only from what it is on a physical level but also from what we say it is to us.
Over the years, the subject of finding a way to more easily recognize fellow tickle lovers has been raised several times. It has generally ended wherever it was brought up after a few days of debate with either no real ideas or something that not too many people were into. Basically, it's been a series of crash and burn efforts. A few weeks ago, one of our community video producers, Master Cavum, raised the topic of creating a community symbol again. This time around, the responses have been more creative and folks seem interested enough to pursue it and help it to actually happen.
Why is this? Perhaps this is all in the presentation. If we present it as a way to find out who other tickle lovers are, many will consider it an intrusion and resist the idea. ..and maybe rightly so. But, is that all the image would be for? I don't think so. It certainly doesn't have to be. If we join together to create a symbol that represents who we are as a community, then it becomes much more than that. It becomes not a way to intrude upon another's personal space but rather a way to celebrate who we are both as an individual and as a community. It becomes a way to express our love of tickling and our freedom to enjoy it.
So, what does tickling mean to us? Who do we see ourselves to be as a community? Do we even feel that there is a community rather than just a bunch of individuals grabbing goodies off the net? Do we feel a part of that community or alienated from it? Do we even care? The answer to this will be somewhat different for every person who responds. That is as it should be. After all, we're all unique. But, that doesn't mean that we can't agree on an image that represents what we have in common...a love of tickling.
I'd like to submit that there is a community out here. In fact, there are several communities. There is some crossover and some division in members. But, we're all a part of the larger generic community. We're all tickle lovers. Wouldn't it be great if we could all come together on this? Who knows? It could even be the seed that sprouts into a beautiful flower...the flower of mutual respect, support and commitment.
I'd like to challenge those reading this to consider the idea. What is tickling to YOU? What is the overall tickling community to you? What kinds of things do you see in the world around you that brings tickling to mind? If you were coming up with an image that represented just you and your own love of tickling, what might that look like and what would the different parts of it represent? These are the kinds of things that we need to take into consideration in developing a symbol that could even come close to representing the community as a whole.
What are your thoughts? Would you be willing to share them with us? If so, you have a couple of options. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can simply write me here at the site. I'll be happy to share your thoughts without your name if that's your wish. If you're brave and would like to jump into the discussion, there are two threads up over on the TMF about this. We'll be posting on other forums as well to make sure everyone who wishes to will have a say. For now, here is the discussion thread where all of the rough ideas are being tossed around and debated and the image thread with all of the images presented thusfar.
Let us know what YOU think!...
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