The physical intensity is missing (unfortunate), but so is the morphogendering and its consequential poisoning of meatspace tactile interaction with cultural dynamics and sexualization (big win for virtual cuddling). Getting to the point where we are this very moment, both of us actively and intensely pairbonded, and having a nonsexual (virtual) tactile interaction with someone who is not our pairbond with only favorable comments from other people here, would be a real challenge in meatspace.
So it's different, but valuable in its own way.
>> Do you derive enjoyment or comfort when someone types *hugs*? What about if someone describes brushing, petting, or rubbing you in more detail? <<
Yes. I get the same sort of feelgood when I approach someone in meatspace with open arms, and a hug follows. As for more detail, I'm still trying to figure that out. I guess I ought to look around for someone offering something I'd like to try, and see how it goes when I ask.
>> a lot of my readers don't have friends they can pile up with locally, and that's very much what happens in here. <<
My take, coming from a culture that heavily contextualizes tactile interactions (US), and a subculture that discourages it further (Midwestern), is that it's as much about the environment being friendly -- no stares or disapproving comments, or people trying to guilt-trip you into stopping. The Rule Six (No PDA's!) police have been banished to Singapore before they can misinterpret what's going on here. Despite which, we still manage to avoid PDA's because that's not what we came for.
So thanks for hosting the World's Oldest(?) Established Permanent Floating Rule Six Party in Cyberspace!
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dancing_serpent
Re: Does virtual touch make you feel better?
Date: 2018-01-18 06:08 am (UTC)The physical intensity is missing (unfortunate), but so is the morphogendering and its consequential poisoning of meatspace tactile interaction with cultural dynamics and sexualization (big win for virtual cuddling). Getting to the point where we are this very moment, both of us actively and intensely pairbonded, and having a nonsexual (virtual) tactile interaction with someone who is not our pairbond with only favorable comments from other people here, would be a real challenge in meatspace.
So it's different, but valuable in its own way.
>> Do you derive enjoyment or comfort when someone types *hugs*? What about if someone describes brushing, petting, or rubbing you in more detail? <<
Yes. I get the same sort of feelgood when I approach someone in meatspace with open arms, and a hug follows. As for more detail, I'm still trying to figure that out. I guess I ought to look around for someone offering something I'd like to try, and see how it goes when I ask.
>> a lot of my readers don't have friends they can pile up with locally, and that's very much what happens in here. <<
My take, coming from a culture that heavily contextualizes tactile interactions (US), and a subculture that discourages it further (Midwestern), is that it's as much about the environment being friendly -- no stares or disapproving comments, or people trying to guilt-trip you into stopping. The Rule Six (No PDA's!) police have been banished to Singapore before they can misinterpret what's going on here. Despite which, we still manage to avoid PDA's because that's not what we came for.
So thanks for hosting the World's Oldest(?) Established Permanent Floating Rule Six Party in Cyberspace!