Question, and an attempt to explain a potential problem

[fadingtogrey.livejournal.com]

I have a question I'm not sure how to phrase... I've seen symbols like ^ and & being used around people's names, in the context of multiple systems. I think I understand the general idea of it, but in all my research I've yet to come across a clear definition for them--or any definition at all, really. Can someone define these symbols (in the context of multiples), with some examples perhaps?

Also, a word to some of the newer members of the community, and prospective members too. I noticed some people have expressed doubt over the authenticity of some of the newer members--mostly because there's been a lot of introductions in the days since 60 Minutes aired the Robert Oxnam segment. Before you feel offended at the skepticism you may have recieved (or might recieve someday), keep in mind that the multiple community as a whole has been subjected to so much bad press, drama, and trolls that it's only natural for a lot of people to assume a defensive stance when they feel that something's "not right". A lot of us have been hurt by "fakers" or "jokes" before and it might take a while to earn everyone's trust. (And even then I've personally known some nice systems whose multiplicty was doubted by other multiples...)

If you're from a system that doesn't have much support, either IRL or online, this skepticism from people you expected to affirm your existence instead of scoff at it can be very discouraging. I'd encourage you to stick it out a while, because eventually, if you're sincere and honest (and relatively sane*) us skeptics will come around. :)

*"Sane" in this context means being able to express yourself over the Internet without inciting drama, and using reason to the best of your ability. Not a very good definition, I know, but it was the best (and most relevant) one I could think of.

Comments

[3libras.livejournal.com]

Could you give an example on how the ^ thing is being used? I have an idea of what it may mean, but I don't know exactly how it's being used. (I'm so observant!)

[fadingtogrey.livejournal.com]

The thing is, I'm not sure myself how it's being used. I'm desperately hoping someone can clue me in. All I know is it's usually around names, like ^Bob or Bob^, I'm not sure.

[3libras.livejournal.com]

Well, I was thinking it was maybe related to math or something, because if you put, for example, 5^3, it means five to the third power, and I guess that sort of makes sense when related to multiplicity.

[redrainstorm.livejournal.com]

Is this the same as _Name? Cuz I've seen that a lot too...

[sethrenn.livejournal.com]

The ^ and & got started on the forerunner to Pavilion (http://www.karitas.net/pavilion), in an essay called Plural Politenesses. (http://www.karitas.net/pavilion/library/articles/c_ppolite_ast-hon0802.html) Basically the idea behind it was that it makes it easier on non-multiple friends if, when speaking about someone, you clarify whether they're in your group or external to you. OTOH, I don't use it much in practice these days unless I'm talking about someone who rarely or never fronts-- I assume that most of our friends are familiar with the frontrunners and don't need to be reminded that, say, Anthea or Julian are members of our system. I do sometimes use the & when talking about other multiples, to specify that a certain name is a system/house name and not that of a particular person.

As far as fakers and trolls go, I personally assume from the first that there are always going to be some. Considering the reputation multiples have had in the past, and continue to have, as out-of-control psychopaths who can't be held responsible for their own behaviour and expected to control it (but of course also brave, pitiable victims), ala Sally Field in The Movie Which Shall Not Be Named, some people are always going to jump onto the wagon and use it as an excuse to act out, to do and say what they've always wanted and blame it on 'alters,' or to try to get sympathy. The thing about attention-seekers is that if you don't respond to them in the way they want, they tend to go elsewhere to get their fix. Basically, what I try to do is to treat everyone as though I'm taking their subjective experiences (I can clarify that if you want) at face value, and give them what I consider to be practical advice. So, for instance, if someone invents a story about their struggle with an evil system member or whatever because they want people to gasp in horror at it or pat them on the back for being a brave survivor, they're probably not going to get that from me. I'm just going to give them the rundown on what I think is a good strategy for resolving things with this dark spooky person, presuming they do indeed exist. People tend to get less enthusiastic about inventing crises du jour if nobody makes a fuss over them.

Re: L

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

I am sick and tired of getting labeled as "the one that swears" because I use bad language sometimes. Let a four-letter word come out of this mouth and there's this guy back home, a good one and not an idiot, but he'll go "Hello, John" when he hears that, whether I'm there or not. You know, anyone who thinks I've got a potty mouth oughta hear Gabriel on a tear. I mean when something happens that rates something stronger than his usual "Aw, hell" or "Aw, bull." So much for him being (according to the same guy) Mr. Righteous Bible Dude. This is the guy who thought Gabe had no sense of humor too, anybody that knows him for more than ten minutes is going to find out that's flapdoodle.

Re: L

[jaga-system-.livejournal.com]

Yah I totally get that!

That's just freaking rude for the guy that like just figures its you cuz like uh a hell of a lot of people swear for some deal or another at some point or whatever in life.

Julie like way used to think of me as like that freaking box of protector and angry. Hell yah I watch out for her cuz damn she and like some of the Julies are way whacked and um, like way tight and need to chill. So like she just figured since I hate her mother and that's how she came to know me that like it was the only thing I was good for.

Ha has she learned crap! She was like OMG when she found out about me all talking and writing to her friends and I wasn't freaking pissed off about something. Then she like totally didn't know that I know a lot of crap and got a brain and she finally got it that uh yah I'm not all pissy all the time and all one feeling and got my own deal about things. So I wrote her this note in our journal and she was like uh maybe it wasn't really me b/c I didn't say "like" constantly and was totally chilled and totally giving her some damn freaking good advice and she finally got it. She finally got I even talk differently with her than like with her friends or write online or whatever. There's a lot more to me than what she thought I was way back when she found out about me. AND just cuz I ain't in her little box and I got a whole lot more to me than she thought and I change and am different sometimes that uh yah that still makes me real. And like she way didn't get that I was learning crap in therapy all that time even if I like totally don't do therapy. It ain't my deal. Anyway, she FINALLY gets it I think. It's way better cuz of it.

Although OMG she had to see this new therapist for like a month and that woman was HOT! It's actually freaking funny cuz Julie didn't know what the hell to do with THAT knowing I was totally into that woman! That lady also totally kicked ass except she all thought that I was like some valley girl cuz I say like a lot. She only knew me through a voice mail message and email. We like don't see her anymore so I never did get the chance to set her straight in person. But whatever cuz like otherwise she was cool. Except the deal is that I don't ALWAYS say like and I'm totally NOT some valley girl cuz it totally isn't the way I sound at all and NOT who and how I am either. I am not like the stereotypical blonde hair flipping gag deal-It ain't how I am and I totally don't look like one either. 17/F, sleek straight black hair, shoulder length, bright green eyes, black boots and other crap like that. NOT Julie that's for damn sure.

So basically the deal is I totally get what you're saying and what the Beyond group is saying. I got all boxed in as the protector and the angry one and yah I watch out for Julie and well some of the others and yah I get pissed off about a lot of crap and swear mega when I do but I totally know how to freaking chill out. The Julies wig out way too freaking much.

Little boxes and pegs SUCK MAJOR!

Billie

[little-heather.livejournal.com]

My little sister buffy @ freddyteddy almost always signs her name as ^buffy^.....but she says those are her kitty ears and/or baby bat wings depending on how she feels that day. hehe but i dont think thats the same thing as what you were talking about.
lh

[luwana.livejournal.com]

I've noticed things like you^, used to mean "you plural" rather than "you singular".

I've also seen, for example, Sprite^Eclective, ie, Sprite from the Eclective system.