Just discovered this site. I am enjoying it and have read many bits and pieces.
I am a middle aged American professional male.
As far as the mack thing goes, one point I have not seen noted: the protection which rubberized raincoats and macks offer.
The garments are specifically worn for protection from water penetration. This feature may be abstracted and "fetishized", by enthusiasts, who may be relating it to the penetration of liquids during intimacy .
We all know about rubber condoms as barriers to mingling bodily fluids. Perhaps to the young mind this notion of penetration / protection is linked.
As the person matures the link lingers and the association of the mack with sex surfaces into consciousness. This is followed by furtive behavior and perhaps ultimately acceptance.
People interested in rubber are usually attracted first to the tight second skin quality of rubber and then gradually all rubber clothes become "sexy" to a greater or lesser extent.
As we consume all the sensory qualities of the object of our love... be it a person or a show... each one of them contributes to the experience, each becomes obsessively studied.... whether it is aroma, texture, form, sound... we fall in love (deeply attracted to) with all the qualities of the thing or person we love.
My thoughts
Dark
Dear Dark
Thank you!
Yes, I think the protective aspect of rubber and mackintosh - and plastic - materials is sometimes neglected by theoreticians! Sometimes if things are going badly you want to crawl into a hole, and I think getting a nice protective layer of rubber or whatever between you and the world offers the same kind of comfort - especially if there is a big and enveloping hood. I think the experiences too that Wobke tells us about, experiences of wanting to be tossed about by the storm and yet protected from it - wanting to be in a position where some protection is desparately needed - are interesting in this connection as well... And the way some of us like to wear those snorkel hoods so others can't really see us ...
Lorraine
The notion of protection also works when one considers that to a young lad the
girl he is attracted to is protected by her raincoat. He perceives this perhaps
as yet another barrier which makes the object of his desire unattainable as
well as hidden. She is protecting herself... from the elements..... from the
penetrating eyes...
Just a thought.
Dark
