A Rubber Puppet?

"A Rubber Puppet?"

Before one can even begin to step into my mind, before they can toil about the cogs, press all the buttons and pull all the levers, before any understanding of my motives and thoughts can be gained, answering the question of why I chose to deem myself a rubber puppet as opposed to rubber slave, rubber toy, or any of the other myriad of possible descriptions antecedent to rubber, gummi, or latex, is paramount. And what better early entry than one designed to address this very question?

It is reasonable to assume in our case that rubber/latex is a fetish. Bearing that in mind, in order to fully apprehend the depth of my reasoning behind the issue of addressing myself as a 'rubber puppet' the we must first begin by addressing the word 'fetish'.

The dictionary defines a fetish as "any object or non-genital part of the body that causes a habitual erotic response or fixation". The peculiar aspect of this definition is that it actually very 'recent' in the grand scheme of etymology, and that such a meaning has been 'socially constructed' to some extent. To borrow from the field of sociology, and more specifically the study of symbolic interactionism, the meanings of symbols (in this case words) are socially constructed. This hints that there was, or is, a definition which outdates this common connotation with the word 'fetish'.

So, let us look a bit farther back in the word's etymology. Doing so gives us the following definition: 'an object believed to contain supernatural power that can be manipulated or used by those who have mastery over it.' In this case, it pertains to religion, and more specifically those ancient religions where it was believed that such objects as feathers, claws, pipes, leopard skins, and the like held within them some manner of channeling the abounding, impersonal, supernatural power that pervades all living and non-living things- mana.

Now, let us combine the two definitions and identify their similarities. Bearing in mind that they each refers to completely different spheres of society (sexuality & religion, respectively). I certainly hope that I'm not confusing my 'language games' but I believe that the two are connected closely enough so as comparison is acceptable.

• Objects: In both definitions, there is the presence of an 'object'
• That Object Has Power: There is a certain degree (whether stated, or not) that these objects contain.
• The Object's Power Is 'Supernatural': The ability of a mere object to a certain degree, 'control' the world around it can be deemed 'supernatural'.
• Manipulation: These objects can both be manipulated and also manipulate.
  

All of this means that rubber possesses this strange, inexplicable power over those who deem themselves 'rubberists', (that is to exclude the casual wearers of latex/rubber, those who find it arousing, with their experiences stopping just there, as well as those who have no interest in rubber- while including those for whom rubber is 'something else') a power which they can be controlled by, or use to control others.

And it is that power of both giving, and taking away control that serves as the foundation for deeming myself a 'rubber puppet'. The power it has to 'perfect' the human form, freeing it of all its markings, scars, inadequacies. The power it has to 'dehumanize' those who wear it, transforming that individual from a human into a seemingly mass produced item. The power of 'confinement' as it clings to the flesh. It has the power to be 'transitional' in the regard that it can be either the embodiment of dominance, submission, or perfect neutrality. These powers all derive from both the aesthetics, or mere appearance of rubber, its shine, its tightness, its creaking, slapping sound; and from something far deeper than, but inherently related to those aesthetics.

And now, how all of this applies to me. The power that rubber has, it has a hold of me. It envelops me. Applying this metaphorically, if I am the 'puppet' then rubber is the strings which bind me. Regardless of whether or not there is someone pulling the strings, using that power to manipulate me, they are still present.

That isn't to say that I view the concept of a 'puppeteer' as extraneous, or secondary; no, it is actually quite the opposite. The rubber itself can only do so much. Despite the manipulative power it has, that power can only be fully utilized when someone manipulates the rubber. As grand as it may be to wear rubber by yourself, there's something far better in knowing that someone shares in that desire.

I suppose it is an adequate time to state, if it hasn't been inferred already, that I consider myself on the sub/slave end of the spectrum. I have this unquenched urge to submit. To be used for the pleasure of another, in whatever way would manifest that pleasure. Pairing the power that rubber has when manipulated properly, and my urge to submit results in my desire to submit to Mistress who excel in bringing out that power of rubber- using that power to mold me into what they wish, to have me serve them however they desire, to transform me (either willingly, or against that will) into something inhuman. A mere object... their own puppet.