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SCENEprofiles Interview with Miranda |
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http://www.crystal-bridge.com/ Sadie: With so many websites catering to BDSM interests, what motivated you to start Crystal Bridge? What are your goals for the next few years for Crystal Bridge? Miranda: "Crystal-Bridge was started by Ricci, former director of The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF). It was her intention to give back to the community via this ad-free, informative web site. As her role at NCSF became increasingly time consuming, I assumed role as editor as my own gift, not only to free up Ricci for her work at NCSF, but also to continue her original intention of giving back to the community. She and I felt it was a good match in that we share similar outlooks and goals." Sadie: Your website offers a real variety of material. What do you enjoy the most? What kind of writers are you looking for? Miranda: "Well, I enjoy it all (kind of a cop out answer, huh?) But, if I have to pick a favorite, it would be my selected presentations of alternative lifestyle related arts and literature. Regarding writers, the key factor with Crystal-Bridge is sincerity. We really seek to extend our hand to as many variations on our theme as possible. I don't expect to agree with everything said in each article, but if the writing represents a sincere, down-to-earth representation of WIIWD, then I'll publish it." Sadie: You spend a lot of time researching different styles of BDSM, and in particular people who participate in heavier sceneing for your Brain Series. Can you tell me about this project? Miranda: "Yes, it's an extended project to say the least. Given all my other projects, it sometimes slips into the background and re-emerges again. My long-term goal is a book on my brain series. I have collected several interviews of people and their experiences with things such as mild to extreme sensory deprivation, lengthy shibari/bondage sessions, and so on. I aim to get inside their heads, if you will, via my questions." Sadie: One of your Brain Series pieces looks at the differences between Domspace, Subspace, Deepspace and Primal Space. What are the physiological differences and why is it important to delineate them? Miranda: "Well, Sadie, rather than risk putting our readers to sleep here, I'll simply say that my hypothesis illustrates how each type of space is manifested in different physical areas of the brain. I can't say that it is important to delineate between them. I suppose it's an integral part of my personality to want to get to the bottom of things. Whether it is which artist first started a particular movement in the art world, or which writer was the original in a specific genre, I always want to start at the beginning. Sm, in particular, is very biochemical. Although, like all things human, WIIWD is multi-layered. My brain project seeks to find the beginning layer." Sadie: You're in the process of developing a new alternative BDSM website newsletter. Since most people think of BDSM as already being alternative, how will this new publication differ from Crystal Bridge? Miranda: "Actually, I'm in the process of developing three new websites at the moment. They will be an online magazine (like Crystal-Bridge), an informative, submissive oriented site, and a psychology-based support site. "What I'm finding in my BDSM travels are an enormous number of really, bright, creative, interesting people among us. My role in these new sites is really a sort of patron role. I pair up people that I think will work well together and supply what they need to get the ball rolling. After that, it's basically up to them. I'm always there to help in whatever way I can, but I don't attempt to impose any restrictions or some sense of the right way to do this. It is so interesting what different individuals create. I'm really enjoying watching these various projects blossom." Sadie: You commented in another interview that " My goal in starting my own discussion group was to illustrate the depth of WIIWD through my own personal passions such as literature, psychology and arts." Do you feel that you have accomplished this? Miranda: "I don't think there is ever an end to a goal like that. In hopes of reaching a larger audience I've been extending that goal to Crystal-Bridge. A couple of months ago, Susan Wright from the National Coalition of Freedom was interviewed on the O'Riley Factor regarding the Barbara Nitke case. At one point, Mr. O'Riley referred to us as 'doofuses with whips.' That really hurt. We are so multi-layered, and if I can show that in any small way, in this case, through literature, art and psychology, I'll be happy." Sadie: Your signature tag says, "They don't have to like it, I just hope they read it." What do you mean by this? Miranda: "I don't propose to illustrate a right way of doing things in this subculture. More than anything, I want folks to be aware of various options. If they don't like some things, that's cool, but at least they know enough to make those personal choices." Sadie: You started your BDSM explorations with your local community, but did eventually move to BDSM chats to reach out. How would you say your experience has changed since that time? Miranda: "The magnitude of it all is fairly mind blowing. Quite honestly, I find my chat experiences fairly shallow and disappointing. I prefer discussion groups, where one has time to think out what they want to communicate. I do think that the community has gained the potential to grow and communicate via the Internet." Sadie: You say that, "The 'we' that makes 'us' has a diverse history and a hopeful future. Crystal-Bridge hopes to give a bigger picture of all that we are and aid in surpassing any differences among us." And yet even so our community is rife with politics and drama. To what do you ascribe these problems? Do you have any ideas to improve the situation? Miranda: "It's so true, your saying, 'politics and drama.' I think that the 'drama' part may have to do with the fact that we are a very creative lot in general, and I think it's almost fitting that we do tend to dramatics. I'll tap dance here around the politics part. One issue I see is that, as the subculture grows, there is a lot of money making potential out there. I think that originally 'pure' intentions become bastardized through earning potential. As with the world in general, when money becomes a factor, politics follow." Sadie: Thank you very much! Miranda: " NO! Thank you Sadie. ~Smile~
Please click on the thumbnails to
see more photos
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sensuous
Sadie is the author of It's Not
About the Whip: Love, Sex, and Spirituality in the BDSM Scene (http://www.trafford.com/robots/03-0551.html).
She is the founder and leader (1999 - 2001) of Copyright 2003 Sadie Sez Publications
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