Are kinksters, particularly hardcore kinksters involved in sadomasochism, or intense power play, acting out sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies? Many people, even professional therapists, believe so. “Psychopathy (/saɪˈkɒpəθi/; also known as – though sometimes distinguished from – sociopathy /ˈsoʊsiəˌpæθi/) is traditionally defined as a personality disorder characterized by enduring antisocial behavior, diminished empathy and remorse, and…
Category: Sadism
Why is a Sadist?
I realised that we’ve used the term Sadist quite a lot on this site without ever really defining it. Even our Sadist’s Philosophy of Pain doesn’t really define the term. A sadist is a person who enjoys inflicting pain and/or humiliation on another, or observing others being hurt or humiliated, either for power and control…
Different Types of Masochism – One Size Does Not Fit All
There are many different types and levels of masochism, and so often you’ll hear a conversation in the BDSM community where the two people are struggling to communicate because they are using the word in two different ways. As a term, diverse people with diverse intentions fall into the grouping. If you do a quick…
A Sadist’s Philosophy of Pain
Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Kahlil Gibran Pain is an intense physical sensation. It has evolved as a warning – the body’s way of telling you that you are in danger or something is wrong. That burns, this is broken, that is cut: you’d better do something about…
Pain, Power and BDSM – It’s Not Just “Rough Sex”
BDSM has been officially mass-ified. Fifty Shades of Grey has spawned a bookshelf full of copies for under the sheets reading. You can probably find them in your local library. The BDSM community has been dragged into this commodification of the culture. What used to be whispered about is now discussed openly around the dining…