Survey answers
Jun. 18th, 2007 05:50 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
netdancer.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
multiplicity_archivesWarning, Protectors at work, Bluntness inside...Please note, population of Netdancer Collective is approximately 200.
1. What was the first online resource/support group/community you discovered relating to multiplicity?
Usenet's alt.support.disassociation. We were a 'regular' poster there for several years before moving on.
2. For systems that have internal bodies/self-images that are different from the external body's, do any of you have features that do not naturally occur in the external world (ex. naturally purple hair, blue skin, stuff like that)?
The question for us really would be "Are any of you actually human?" (2) - the majority is nonhuman so all kinds of strange things are seen. Shapeshifting, magic, some folks are winged, there are animals that talk, there are all kinds of things. Only one person even remotely looks like the body, and she's also the only female.
3. What special structural characteristics does your system have, if any? (For instance, is there a hierarchy? Can certain people only front through others? Do you have certain internal 'jobs'?)
We have a Council system. Each group chooses a representative and that person votes for the interests of their group. We used to use a one person, one vote system but that got so unwieldy that a vote over what to have for lunch might mean missing lunch. One person has 2 votes and acts as a tie-breaker and advocate - he's well-loved and extremely patient.
4. How often in your public life do you pretend to be one person, if ever? Is this a choice or a necessity for your system?
Generally at work. Like sexuality, the status of our mind is our own concern so long as it has no impact on what we were hired to do. We just don't consider it an employer's business. Most bosses don't pry, we -did- have one catch it and directly ask - if we're asked we'll tell. :)
5. Can anyone in-system force anyone else to hallucinate, particularly while fronting?
Hmm. Probably. I'd say Valentine has the power to do that, certainly Mage does, possibly Aisling. None of them would use it that way though. That would be rude beyond belief - to us Front time's pretty special, and no one messes with someone else's time unless something happens that needs a Protector reaction. (Serious pain, a threat to the body, sudden serious illness, all are Protector issues.)
6. On average, is the system composed mainly of people older, younger, or around the same age as the body?
Yes. Ages range from 3-4 years to 'Immortal'. The body is 42, that's Abyss' exact age.
7. How did you get your individual names and/or system name? (Obviously larger systems won't be able to list all the stories of how everyone got their name, so... pick your favorites/most interesting? If you were born/created already having a name, that's fine too.)
The internet is a wondrous place. :) We use those gaming websites and baby name websites. New people who don't choose a name WILL be called 'George' until they cave and offer up something more suitable. (No, really. It seems to work.)
8. How frequently do issues of denial come up in your system, if ever? Does this cause a lot of problems for your system? What do you think is the main factor that causes this denial for you?
Never really, we know what we are. I'd say we've been this high functioning for the last 6 years.
9. What, if any, is something within the multiple community itself that you feel is contributing to society's refusal to see multiplicity as anything other than a trauma-induced disorder?
This is that rude answer we warned you about. Please note, this is personal bias, but it still is something that makes a lot of us very very angry.
Two things: Scamming the system for benefits you don't actually critically need and then bragging about it on the internet. (This is basically a mugging where you both mug the public and laugh at them for being 'dumb' enough to give you money.) People who do this? We always hope something that they -deserve- lands on them. We work very hard for a living and struggle hard to be as upright and functional as possible and these assclowns revolt us. We've left a support group because the stench of one of these people was too pervasive.
Second Thing: The seriously unstable people who should really, really be inpatient before they hurt themselves. This only makes us sad...if you're unstable enough that every time you cut you need sutures, and you post all the time to your journal about this? Put down the keyboard. Seek assistance.
1. What was the first online resource/support group/community you discovered relating to multiplicity?
Usenet's alt.support.disassociation. We were a 'regular' poster there for several years before moving on.
2. For systems that have internal bodies/self-images that are different from the external body's, do any of you have features that do not naturally occur in the external world (ex. naturally purple hair, blue skin, stuff like that)?
The question for us really would be "Are any of you actually human?" (2) - the majority is nonhuman so all kinds of strange things are seen. Shapeshifting, magic, some folks are winged, there are animals that talk, there are all kinds of things. Only one person even remotely looks like the body, and she's also the only female.
3. What special structural characteristics does your system have, if any? (For instance, is there a hierarchy? Can certain people only front through others? Do you have certain internal 'jobs'?)
We have a Council system. Each group chooses a representative and that person votes for the interests of their group. We used to use a one person, one vote system but that got so unwieldy that a vote over what to have for lunch might mean missing lunch. One person has 2 votes and acts as a tie-breaker and advocate - he's well-loved and extremely patient.
4. How often in your public life do you pretend to be one person, if ever? Is this a choice or a necessity for your system?
Generally at work. Like sexuality, the status of our mind is our own concern so long as it has no impact on what we were hired to do. We just don't consider it an employer's business. Most bosses don't pry, we -did- have one catch it and directly ask - if we're asked we'll tell. :)
5. Can anyone in-system force anyone else to hallucinate, particularly while fronting?
Hmm. Probably. I'd say Valentine has the power to do that, certainly Mage does, possibly Aisling. None of them would use it that way though. That would be rude beyond belief - to us Front time's pretty special, and no one messes with someone else's time unless something happens that needs a Protector reaction. (Serious pain, a threat to the body, sudden serious illness, all are Protector issues.)
6. On average, is the system composed mainly of people older, younger, or around the same age as the body?
Yes. Ages range from 3-4 years to 'Immortal'. The body is 42, that's Abyss' exact age.
7. How did you get your individual names and/or system name? (Obviously larger systems won't be able to list all the stories of how everyone got their name, so... pick your favorites/most interesting? If you were born/created already having a name, that's fine too.)
The internet is a wondrous place. :) We use those gaming websites and baby name websites. New people who don't choose a name WILL be called 'George' until they cave and offer up something more suitable. (No, really. It seems to work.)
8. How frequently do issues of denial come up in your system, if ever? Does this cause a lot of problems for your system? What do you think is the main factor that causes this denial for you?
Never really, we know what we are. I'd say we've been this high functioning for the last 6 years.
9. What, if any, is something within the multiple community itself that you feel is contributing to society's refusal to see multiplicity as anything other than a trauma-induced disorder?
This is that rude answer we warned you about. Please note, this is personal bias, but it still is something that makes a lot of us very very angry.
Two things: Scamming the system for benefits you don't actually critically need and then bragging about it on the internet. (This is basically a mugging where you both mug the public and laugh at them for being 'dumb' enough to give you money.) People who do this? We always hope something that they -deserve- lands on them. We work very hard for a living and struggle hard to be as upright and functional as possible and these assclowns revolt us. We've left a support group because the stench of one of these people was too pervasive.
Second Thing: The seriously unstable people who should really, really be inpatient before they hurt themselves. This only makes us sad...if you're unstable enough that every time you cut you need sutures, and you post all the time to your journal about this? Put down the keyboard. Seek assistance.
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no subject
Date: 2007-06-18 10:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-18 11:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-22 02:59 am (UTC)How many people have you actually come across that are 'scamming the system for benefits...'? I am not a prolific user of the internet by any means but have not come across anyone like this (that I could tell). I am not doubting there may be a few or a handful out there, scamming can pop up just about anywhere, but do you really think this is contributing to societys refusal to see multiplicity as anything other than a trauma induced disorder?
As a trauma based multiple (currently in a cooperative system), I all to clearly recognize and know just how difficult it can be to just plain stay alive. There really are people who need assistence, and I also recognise and respect those systems that are not trauma based and manage to function quite well in society or at least to function. Both types of people exist and sometimes I have read posts that are a bit scarey to me, people who function well and want recognition as a healthy multiple, who maybe just can't concieve of the hell a trauma based multiple may be living in (and I am not saying that I am seeing this in your post).
Would healthy multiples wish to gain recognition at the expense of trauma based multiples who need assistence and even sometimes fit to one degree or another the medical model of MPD?
Talk about being angry.
I feel there truly is room for both. Society may one day recogize healthy multiplicity and also recognize that some multiples are trauma based and some of these people need assistence. And from your post I don't even really know if you are or are not trauma based.
As for the seriously unstable person, someone who is hurting themself (or others), yes they really should be able to have some form of help, whether this means inpatient or something else. But should they do this to help themself or so that healthy multiples can gain recognition as fully functioning and respectable people? If there are multiples walking the street or posting on the internet that embarass you I can only think that perhaps better terminology might be used. How about something as simple as a disordered multiple (you know like MPD but maybe it should be just DM). And then maybe other multiples can be just plain multiple. I have no problem with that at all. Some multiples really are disordered!! And maybe there are those that just plain old can't take the stress of the world without becoming disordered!!
Starting to switch here and before the tone changes too drasticly.....
There is room for everyone. I am not much fond of 'political correctness' and don't want to see certain multiples defining or expecting something of other multiples. Like because you know I am me and we are we and I do not represent the multiple community!!!
And as far as the person you mention from the other website, it is quite possible that had I been there I might feel the same way you do. Just tossing some ideas out here.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-22 03:23 pm (UTC)Used to be a serious cutter too; no little cat scratches. However, this -can- be fought against. As of this typing, haven't cut for five years. (Have we been tempted? Oh, you bet...it's like a drug addiction, it doesn't go away.)
I run into entirely too many people in the multiple community who scam the system for benefits, generally because it's something they favor over working. A good number of those not only admit it, but brag about it as if they've scored some kind of victory. They're not doing a thing to help the image of multiples as a whole..."I'm a thief and I have nothing but contempt for you." is a pretty crappy calling card. And people who -do- think they're getting that money because they need it? Are going to see another loony drooling multiple. It isn't just one instance; I leave places where there are people like that and I've left several over it.
If someone *really is* disordered, yes, they need real help. If I spot them, I'll try to help them find it if they want me to - I'm good at /finding/ stuff, like a good therapist who'll work with someone. Or at least helpline numbers or websites. If all else fails I can sit and listen.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-23 01:13 am (UTC)Guess I lucked out on online communities. I pretty much found this site first and stayed away from the others as I wanted to avoid all the drama. For me just knowing there are others out there and to be able to share info on how systems work and to see how others feel about their systems (to integrate or not, etc.) is what appeals to me.
I'm 52 and have always been independent and self-sufficient, fanatically so, until a little over four years ago where I had a severe breakdown. Actually I continued to work even then (accept for the actual times in the hospital on and off for months), but after a couple of years just wasn't making it, stress got so bad, I had to seek assistance. I'm a little sensitive to negative comments about multiples receiving disability benefits. I am very grateful for the help and the Doctor who was hired by social security to do my review. He was not only very thorough in the review, but kind (at that point the stress had been so bad I was pretty close to actually being a loony drooling multiple).
Maintaining my sense of self-esteem while receiving the assistance is not always easy. Keeping sane and functional enough to be able to eat (the stress had caused a bleeding ulcer) is pretty darn important though. Especially the sane part.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-23 02:26 am (UTC)Yeah, this comm's a very good place to be. I'm clinging to it for dear life too!
You need help tho, I wouldn't mind at all if my taxes were helping *you*...you're not laughing at me for being a stupid sucker for working. And going to buy questionable drugs to use whilst pointing and laughing at me.
Netdancer Collective pretty much as a whole believes that as long as we /can/ get by without it, we're going to, because that's what an upright man *does*. We've been fearing being disabled for a while - body's just not keeping going, we're about to end up needing a scooter to shop or work. But as long as we can, we're going to be working. (If for no other reason then NOT working is /deathly/ boring...we've been off work since September and it's making us nuts.)
no subject
Date: 2007-06-23 05:11 am (UTC)