I Protest!

Many protests are occurring in the United States these days, and while I can't join in personally, I'm joining them in spirit.

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Recap: Spanko Brunch 2.0 for July 20

What's the future for blogging and other spanko social media? 

Anon: No doubt, people are opening up more with social media, learning their desires, lifestyle is common. Social media has been a positive influence, nothing one should hide any more, it is just a part of who we are.

KDPierre: I believe the death knell for blogs has already been ringing for a while now. When the remaining holdouts give up or are censored out of existence, that will be it.

As for other forms of social media? I haven't a clue. However, I believe with the growing use of AI in the future, what does show up will become less and less personal or reliably authentic. I also believe short, banal, attention-grabbers will utterly replace anything of depth or substance.

The one exception may be the podcast-type feature. Those may be the only place in the future for lifestyle people to share anything of substance in depth...but even here I must emphasize 'may'. They just as easily could go trite and sensational, since many already do.

This may sound depressing, but it won't be, because anyone who would lament the passing of substantial lifestyle discussion (like me) will be gone by then and the new generations won't know anything different.  

CEM: Most things are cyclical. People lose interest in certain things over time, jump to newer technology, that becomes passé, they go to other forms of media, literature and entertainment. Blogs were huge for years, then other social media came about, people jumped to that, now a lot are growing tired of it and seeking out other forums or venues, which may (or may not) mean blogs increase. I don't think anyone can predict what the future will hold, but it will endlessly evolve, rotate, fluctuate and change. And fetish interests change to some extent with time as well, and also cycle around too. Human beings are fickle and unpredictable. Anyway, congrats on the success. 

Roz: Wow, congratulations on your 600th brunch Hermione!

Gosh, I have no idea what the future holds in terms of social media. The number of active blogs in the spanking community has vastly reduced over the years, and censorship isn't helping, but perhaps the blogs may make a comeback? Censorship may be the biggest barrier to meaningful conversations over any platform.

Dan: Congrats on 600 spanko brunches!

I don't think social media forums related to spanking will go away, but as for blogs in particular, it's not pretty. When I started my blog twelve years ago, there were quite a few blogs focused on M/f disciplinary spankings. Now, it seems like I'm the last man standing.

On the other hand, Tumblr is chock-full of channels with that focus. But, that doesn't mean the same content is still out there. Tumblr is largely a visual medium. Very few Tumblr "blogs" have more than a snippet of text (at most) under whatever picture or drawing they're sharing. Maybe that reflects a younger audience that is very visually-oriented but won't read a book to save their lives.

And, KD is right that those blogs that don't run out of gas are still subject to arbitrary censorship from the platform providers like Blogger and WordPress. Often, blogs in his genre disappear not because their authors gave up but, rather, because censors at Blogger or WordPress took them down.

One other platform I've been exploring lately that is kind of blogging is Medium. I like it as a platform, and so far I haven't seen much in the way of censorship. But, because people can't comment without a Medium account, and since most of the users have a profile linked to their real identity, it is virtually impossible to have a conversation, because people won't leave comments revealing their identity. I've published articles that have gotten several thousand reads but few of them get any comments at all.

Prefectdt: I don't think that blogs are done, but the type of blog around is changing. The more heavily written blogs and story blogs are flourishing but they are often not as informative as blogs of old. From personal experience, it looks like explicitly illustrated blogs have the clock ticking. It is a shame that a lot of the newer blogs do not have blog rolls, as they are still the best way of spreading the love and creating a spanking, linkup, blog network. I do hope that another form of adult-only  platform might come along, but it might be inadvisable of us to hold our breaths. Perhaps we should all go back to the printed word :)

Bonnie: Congratulations on brunch #600. That's excellent! And happy moon landing day too.

I may have originally posed the question, but sitting here today, I don't know the answer. I think people will continue to find ways to discuss their shared interests despite growing censorship. It seems like traditional blogs will retain a role, though a diminished one.

Podcasts and vlogs are hot, but many in our community cannot be that out. I never liked Twitter/X because it feels more like a series of strafing runs than an authentic dialogue.

Reddit is an interesting platform, but some of the users (and bots) who inhabit it are idiots. Maybe someone could start an invitation-only spanko discussion subreddit. That could provide an open forum like we once had in Geocities, Delphi Forums, and Yahoo Groups.

I guess that's my long winded way to reiterate that I don't know.

Hermione: When I first started blogging and even before, there was a multitude of blogs focused on D/d relationships. Bloggers used to  have virtual surprise parties for one another, and there was a real sense of community. As George Harrison once said, all things must pass, and the golden age of blogging is now over.

Reddit is a good idea for having spanko conversations, and Substack is an idea for podcasts, although that would necessitate being "out".

I guess we just need to enjoy the remaining blogs while they last. 

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Spanko Brunch 2.0 #600

Welcome one and all to our six hundredth brunch. We've talked a lot about spanking over the past eleven years that I have hosted brunch here. Now let's think about the future. This question was suggested by our dear friend and former blogger Bonnie.

What do you think is the future of social media for the spanko community? Will blogs continue to be a community and a source of spanko information? 

Please give this one some consideration and leave your thoughts as a comment. Once everyone has had a chance to speak, I will publish a summary of our discussion. 

 

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Decorating Idea

Would you add this to enhance your home decor?

 A big thank you to S for finding the perfect touch for an otherwise plain sofa.

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Wait Until I Get You Home

Our good friend Rosco sent me some pictures of a local women-run sex shop. He says, "We’ve been going there for years, less so recently because we have everything." I know the feeling!

 

Aren't they lovely? But wait. Let's have a closer look at the sign.

 

The sign says: "NO SPANKING(while in the store) For everyone's safety please save it for the bedroom... or kitchen... hallway... you get it"

Rosco doesn't remember seeing such a sign in the past so perhaps there was some recent activity that prompted its posting. Some people just can't wait!

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Recap: Spanko Brunch 2.0 for July 13

What are your thoughts on submission?

Jack: I don't know if submission is the right word. My wife/mommy knows what is best, I accept, the marriage has been great, the sex life can't complain, but the spankings and sex do not go together. I know I can't help myself at times, and I know that a spanking is coming, and I can complain, beg, plead, to no avail. I accept the spankings but not how much my bare bottom is stinging and sore afterwards. So for me, having a wife/mommy is very good even tho the spankings hurt and the bathbrush insures that.

Rosco: Submission is important to me and Irene. A spanking without a lecture is a bit empty. The physical sensation is delicious, but for me the turn on is dependent also on the reprimand for my disputatious, obstreperous, recalcitrant ways. Irene has quite the vocabulary.

Roz: Our dynamic has gone through many changes over the years. Submission and permission used to play an important part at various times, depending on the nature of the dynamic at the time. Spanking nowadays is purely for fun.

Prefectdt: I think that submission is very important in play, for me, but mostly revolves around physical submission. Play always seems enhanced when I am made an automaton of the other person in the play session. This is most illustrated when the other participant is an inexperienced player and, from necessity, I am topping from the bottom. If, for example, I think that the spanker might get a better target if I am in another position, I will ask to be told to move to another position, rather than moving by my own command. Giving physical control of my body to someone else gives a high sense of submission and helps bring on the "Dancing with the Fairies" high.

Mija: Submission is important, but not automatic. I can play without it, but then the play is much more about the physical sensation, maybe even the playfulness, of being spanked. I like the sense of submission, my physical and emotional submission, being valued, maybe even insisted on by person topping. Maybe because when I'm submissive I'm feeling vulnerable and so it would hurt me to have those submissive feelings not matter, not be valued. If they've insisted I submit then I feel like that submission has been seen and that it matters. 

KDPierre: Regardless of the reason, spanking is an inherent power imbalance that requires one party to submit to the other. In this exchange, pain is being given by one party to the other who accepts that pain for whatever motives move them. I'm not sure how any spanking can even happen without 'submission' taking place, even if that submission does not extend past the spanking itself. I have noticed that some people fairly bristle at the notion of submission being involved and therefore kind of redefine the term so that they can say it is not happening. But that's just the modern world we live in and that trend is not in any way limited to spanking and submission.

Perhaps if someone dictates precisely what they want, control it utterly and sort of use the spanker as almost a service employee, I suppose you could say they aren't submitting but just consenting to receive pain, but even then.....the spanker is still kind of in the dominant position.

Books and essays have been written about this topic, so I'm not sure if a post reply can do it justice.

A.J.: "Sense" of submission? Sure.
An actual full-time submissive in all things? No thanks.      

Hermione: I am definitely a submissive, and Ron is a natural dominant, so we complement each other. I usually ask his permission to do things like going shopping or making major changes around the house. He does not normally say no, but prefers that I ask rather than just go ahead on my own. Spanking naturally requires submission on my part, even though I crave it.

 

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Spanko Brunch 2.0 #599

 

Welcome back to another weekend spanko brunch. As you can see, this is brunch number 599, so next week will be a major milestone. I'd like it to be really special, so I'm throwing the floor open to suggestions. What topic would make next week's discussion memorable?

Now on to today's discussion.

What are your thoughts on submission? Is it an important part of your spanking relationship? Is it necessary to hand over control to the spanker in order for a spanking to work? Is asking for permission a part of your dynamic?

Leave your thoughts as a comment and once everyone has had a chance to speak, I will publish a summary of our discussion.

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Mystery Solved

Two years ago I published this post about a mystery plant that was supposed to be the herb rosemary but certainly wasn't. The following spring I forgot where I put them misplaced the remaining seeds so they remained a mystery for another year. This spring I finally came across them, so I planted them along with my other spring crops and waited. Last week the first blossom opened, and guess what they are?

 

Cosmos! A lovely flower, and easy to grow. Ron had guessed that's what they were, because we had some growing in the garden that year. The bees and butterflies will love them, and there are enough seeds left for next year. So all's well that ends well.

Oh, and our potted rosemary is still thriving.

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

These Deals Won't Last, Get Yours Today!

Some ads from the past that wouldn't work today. 

Yikes!

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Recap: Spanko Brunch 2.0 for July 6

Any exercise enthusiasts out there?

Wendel: We do walking and hiking for cardio. A little bit of weight training for strength when swing the paddle and of course, a lot of spanking. 

Roz: That's a great question but I'm afraid my answer is a boring one. No specific exercises to keep in shape for spanking. Exercise is by doing 😊

Prefectdt: I am  constantly trying to keep my "Dad" belly (even though I have never been a father) under control. So dieting is a frequent element of my life, as the smaller I can keep the gut bump, the more comfortable it is to spend extended periods of time bent over laps/desks/benches etc. I used to do a lot of walking to keep fit, but on doctors' advice, I switched to regular cycling at the weekends. If I am going long periods between real spankings, I self spank, not for fun but just to keep the pain tolerance levels up. Other than that, I moisturise my buttocks and upper thighs on a daily basis, even if no spanking has happened for a while.  

Rosco: Well, I try to keep in shape for cardiovascular health and flexibility in general - an ongoing challenge in both areas.

As for spanking, I’ve noticed whenever I’ve lost a few pounds the initial sting is a bit more profound.

Ronnie: We don’t do any specific exercises for spanking. We both like to keep as fit as possible and we do tend to walk a lot. 

Jack: Never crossed my mind or my wife/mommy. Interesting question. Off hand is there a need and what is the advantage?

S: In general, I try to do full body workouts, but I have to admit, I do like doing bicep curls right before giving someone a spanking.

Bonnie: My natural spanking shape is a pear, so there's not that much maintenance required. I do work out and walk when I can for general health. Randy builds his right arm strength by repetitively swinging flat wooden objects.

Hermione: By sitting and playing video games, I keep my tush nice and big as an available target. Ron does yard work to keep his arms in condition.     

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Spanko Brunch 2.0 #598

Welcome, everyone, to our weekly discussion of all things spanking. Today's question was posed by our good friend S. I like it because it applies to both spankers and spankees.

Do you or your partner do anything specific, like exercise, to keep in spanking shape?

Please leave your response as a comment, and I will publish a summary of our discussion on Monday.  

 

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine