Erm, the most general advice given to me without bias was just to research (this goes with just about anything) as much as you can, wherever you can, and come to your own conclusions/decisions and just be safe & smart about it. That's the best I got. ;)

Yes. Research, research, research.

I drank whenever she talked about that inner goddess thing. Tipsy BDSM = not so safe.

THIS. So much this.

I had a loved one overseas in the early 2000's. I kept all of those voicemails and when I moved and had to unplug my answering machine and changed my cell phone, I used one of those handheld reporter recorders with the tiny cassette tapes to keep all the messages longer. :) I still have them tucked away in a special…

theconversationproject.org

True but emotions, to me at least, gives them "a way out" because I'd think that Happy would lead me to feel/act one way, Sad would lead me to feel/act another way, etc. Hormones are just chemical urges that any non-sentient creature can have. IN ABSOLUTELY NO WAY am I excusing this. I'm just saying that he didn't…

I said ill, not disturbed. Also, have you personally conducted studies across the entire globe to find these particular demographics? Because I'd like to see them.

Might I suggest a mild headache? How about a paper cut? Files out of order?

*Except Santa.

Emotions? That involves at least some thought. o.O You mean hormones?

Right. I'm just saying it maybe wasn't so sadistic of some of the parents. Rather that some of them were just ignorant as to the longer effects on the kids or there's the possibility that it held some other important purpose. Who knows? :/

How about a full assessment by a licensed clinical psychologist?

Isn't that kind of like saying that all mentally ill people (myself included, since heaven forbid I have an actual diagnosis of mild depression treated by pharmaceuticals while I, omg, also treat others. Scary. :/ ) are always incapable of rational thought and actions?

Should've smiled at him.

That is a totally adorable story. :)

Back then during the time of pet stores in the malls, it wasn't exactly *so* cruel (although it was but hear me out) because with all that weird sporadic exposure, it could have been a window into A) helping to socialize the animals and/or B) research into what type of animal would best be suited to your family when…

Yum. I'll have to look for those.

Ah! Bill & Lois are my friends, too. :)

Exactly.