Rubberism, Rubberization & Rubber-Space; A Series of Critical Essays; Conclusion

Before I begin on my next endeavor, I think I should wrap up the previous essays with a conclusion. Something to draw all three facets together in such a way that the parts aren't seen individually, but as part of the long, all inclusive process that they comprise.

Rubber-Space is the ultimate goal. It is more than a change in one's state of mind. It is more than the crafting of an illusion, it is a change in one's state of being. Consider it the Rubberist's Nirvana. A state where the Rubberist forgets that they are a "person playing a role" or a "person experiencing a stimuli" but rather are an entirely new existence who is part of the stimuli he/she is experiencing.

If Rubber-Space is the destination, then Rubberization is the journey. If Rubber-Space is the finished product, then Rubberization is the assembly line. It is broad in the sense that it is a term which governs a set of behaviors, or thoughts- turning the consistent appearance of these behaviors and thoughts into a methodology, a discipline. It is also specific in the fact that while it can refer to one's overall ascension to Rubber-Space in the long run, it also is the act of moving through states of mind toward a state of being in individual instances.

If Rubberization is a process, then Rubberism are the boundaries and rules of this process. A Rubberist operates within these confines, adhering to these protocols as if they were an edict or an established methodology.

The following analogy sums the relationship up:

Think of the term Football (American football, as opposed to 'Soccer'). The term football has a set of connotations; punt, fumble, pass, rush, tackle, fan, touchdown, toss, kick. Many of these connotations are exclusive to the term Football, but many are not. However, the ones that are not (basketball has 'passing', all sports have 'fans', soccer has 'kick') each mean something entirely different when associated with football as opposed to any other sport. Think of these terms as various activities, or scenes, or fetishes; they can exist and overlap other broader schemas, but when paired with Rubber take on a distinctly different 'feel' and 'understanding'. This set of connotations, practices, and protocols is Rubberism.

Now, think of playing a game of American football. There are quarters, plays, formations, players, movements, scoring, turnovers, downs... etc. Each play takes the individuals farther into the game, closer to its completion, closer to the goal: winning. The act of playing the game "football" as we define and know it, and moving to the ultimate goal is akin to experiencing Rubber as we define and know it (Rubberism), and moving to the ultimate goal (Rubberization).

Finally, there is the ultimate goal. In Football, it is to complete the game with the intent of winning. In terms of Rubber, it is obtaining "Rubber-Space" an altered state of being.

Just as "Hinduism" is the study and practice of the Hindu religion (or any religion), Rubberism is the study and practice of the "Rubber". Just as Hindus (or any religious practitioners) have rites or rituals or traditions, so do Rubberists (Rubberization). And, just as Hindus (or any religious practitioners) have an ultimate goal, so do Rubberists (Rubber-Space).

In short: Rubber-Space is the goal, Rubberization is the actions taken to achieve that goal, and Rubberism is the discipline of undertaking those actions via a systematic, disciplined approach.