Technologies of Punishment --isn't that a great title? I can't claim any originality since it's inspired by a CFP (that's "Call For Papers" in the larger world) for a CUNY conference titled "The Poetics of Pain: Aesthetics, Ideology, and Representation" sent to my academic self. (I blogged this startle on el tercer ojo.) But it is an appropriate title. Given that we met via the wonders of usenet, technology, for better or worse, has been involved in Paul and my relationship, discipline and punishment included, since the beginning. Although some of the technology thankfully went away when our relationship went from long-distance to living-in-the-same-house, technology remains a significant part of both of our lives.
This is not going to be a discussion of how technology can assist those in long-distance relationships at "this thing we do." While it doesn't seem so long ago that most of my punishments were done via email or phone, really it's been more than seven years since Paul moved here, give or take an interruption or two. I think that counts as several lifetimes in the word of technology. Because of that, this probably isn't the right entry for anyone looking for long-distance discipline ideas. (Natty can probably give plenty of thoughts on that subject, but rumor has it she's a bit busy at present.) That said, ever since I got a new MacBook compete with webcam, I check in terror to make sure the green camera light isn't on every time Paul has me bent over my desk chair for a quick slippering to "focus" me on my work. This is crazy because I never actually use the webcam for anything so it's never on. **
Even though phones, webcams and Skype aren't part of discipline or punishment scenes and we're not long-distance anymore, technology in various forms plays an important role in our relationship. A role, which for me, has lately made me feel watched over in ways that, frankly, push a lot of good and powerful buttons. What works, both in the senses of being effective and attractive, is feeling I'm being watched over and held to specific expectations. The idea is that I'm seen --inside and out-- by someone who can't be fooled and holds me to account. That's both the fantasy and the ideal.
Not much to ask, is it?
Right.
It's a huge amount to ask of anyone and a near impossible task, especially with regard to me specifically. Yet I have asked for it and Paul and I have tried various ways of fulfilling this need / desire. Repeatedly, over a period of years.
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