It'sad that people would take a piece of fiction literature and try to apply it to real life, especially in the case of sexuality and relationships, and not realize that, hey! I'm reading a piece of fiction! It's a book, for crying out loud. Just like you shouldn't watch a movie and attempt the things depicted on the screen, you shouldn't read a novel intended for entertainment and try make to adapt it to your real life.

Personally, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I haven't read 50 Shades of Grey, nor do I intend to (I'm a fan of a wide range of classics--For Whom the Bell Tolls is sitting on my nightstand right now). But if people who have never explored BDSM read it and get excited about trying to spice their sex lives up, then hopefully they're going to go read a bit about BDSM, research it, and get some input from knowledgeable sources before hand. I would think that a lot of people do--trying new things in the bedroom can be anxiety inducing, especially if it's more extreme than what you are used to. For those who don't go that route and end up hurting themselves or someone, well, that's unfortunate, but it's about as stupid as trying something dangerous that you saw in the movies; you can either learn about guns, go to a shooting range, become informed by a professional about gun safety and handling, and practice shooting in a safe, controlled environment, or you can watch action films and try to reenact scenes from The Matrix with your equally stupid friends. You could learn about martial arts, take classes for a particular style that interests you, and learn from a professional in a safe environment, or you could watch Jackie Chan movie and almost certainly get killed for trying to emulate him.

I know that BDSM gets a bad rap, especially for the way it gets depicted in popular media (8mm, anybody? Or how about The General's Daughter?) But it's not surprising. People in general have weird and unhealthy views about sex, usually overly romanticized, guilt-ridden views, so it's not too surprising for someone to think that BDSM=abuse. People thought that before 50 Shades of Grey, and people will think that long after the novel has faded from our memories. less

its main streamed erotica in the form of a poorly written book about someones twisted idea of what people in the BDSM lifestyle are like... its giving a bunch of vanilla people some good ideas to spice up their relationships and a whole lot of bad ideas too... i advise all my friends that are reading it to PLEASE research BDSM more thoroughly and dont try doing things from the book at home without learning all the safety precautions and history of the actions first. find someone you trust, that is actually involved in the lifestyle and talk to them about it... I am that confidant for most of my friends less

It'sad that people would take a piece of fiction literature and try to apply it to real life, especially in the case of sexuality and relationships, and not realize that, hey! I'm reading a piece of fiction! It's a book, for crying out loud. Just like you shouldn't watch a movie and attempt the things depicted on the screen, you shouldn't read a novel intended for entertainment and try make to adapt it to your real life.

Personally, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I haven't read 50 Shades of Grey, nor do I intend to (I'm a fan of a wide range of classics--For Whom the Bell Tolls is sitting on my nightstand right now). But if people who have never explored BDSM read it and get excited about trying to spice their sex lives up, then hopefully they're going to go read a bit about BDSM, research it, and get some input from knowledgeable sources before hand. I would think that a lot of people do--trying new things in the bedroom can be anxiety inducing, especially if it's more extreme than what you are used to. For those who don't go that route and end up hurting themselves or someone, well, that's unfortunate, but it's about as stupid as trying something dangerous that you saw in the movies; you can either learn about guns, go to a shooting range, become informed by a professional about gun safety and handling, and practice shooting in a safe, controlled environment, or you can watch action films and try to reenact scenes from The Matrix with your equally stupid friends. You could learn about martial arts, take classes for a particular style that interests you, and learn from a professional in a safe environment, or you could watch Jackie Chan movie and almost certainly get killed for trying to emulate him.

I know that BDSM gets a bad rap, especially for the way it gets depicted in popular media (8mm, anybody? Or how about The General's Daughter?) But it's not surprising. People in general have weird and unhealthy views about sex, usually overly romanticized, guilt-ridden views, so it's not too surprising for someone to think that BDSM=abuse. People thought that before 50 Shades of Grey, and people will think that long after the novel has faded from our memories. less

Says who? It's creating a wave, certainly, but who says no one is looking into BDSM responsibly as a result? Because there is a media uproar? Because the attention the media gives it is sensational? Well, yeah, that's the media for you. Who says readers aren't getting an idea, and then looking into that idea on a deeper level, with responsibility?

Look, fiction is fiction; the author and the novel never states that the story is a BDSM manual; all it claims to be is a work of fiction. Don't assume that everyone is too stupid to realize that. less

its main streamed erotica in the form of a poorly written book about someones twisted idea of what people in the BDSM lifestyle are like... its giving a bunch of vanilla people some good ideas to spice up their relationships and a whole lot of bad ideas too... i advise all my friends that are reading it to PLEASE research BDSM more thoroughly and dont try doing things from the book at home without learning all the safety precautions and history of the actions first. find someone you trust, that is actually involved in the lifestyle and talk to them about it... I am that confidant for most of my friends less