The Charm Podcast w/Bunny: BDSM, Marquis de Sade, Kink
KTB’s Bunny on the origins of BDSM kink.
Welcome to “the Charm,” a podcast featuring all the odds and eccentricities that comedian and trivia champion Bunny Themelis finds fit to talk about.
This week, I delve into risque territory.
If you think “50 Shades of Grey” was a boundary-pushing work that really encapsulates kinkiness, well you’re wrong. With EL James doubling down on her abused-children-like-BDSM-play schtick with her latest Grey, I thought it prudent to explore the historical origins of modern kink and BDSM.
BDSM
What does BDSM even mean? I introduce you to scandalous past of French aristocrat of the 1700s, the Marquis de Sade, for whom “sadism” is named. That’s the “S” in BDSM.
If you’ve seen the movie ‘Quills’ you may be surprised to hear a true historical account of one of history’s most notorious figures. They softened things up a bit for that movie. Or a LOT bit, as de Sade’s most extreme work, 120 Days of Sodom, is almost too difficult to read.
I delve into his philosophy, his wild life and his legacy.
I also touch on the origins of masochism, the “M” in BDSM, and finds that even polar opposites can still find a way to be old-timey misogynistic. It turns out whether you want to abuse women or want women to abuse you, if you are a man of the 18th century you’re still way, way behind o, that whole “women are people” thing. Isn’t history great?
Lastly, I tell you a bit about a little erotic novel from the 1950s, The Story of O, that set off a kink firestorm and is still very influential today. The real author left people guessing as to their identity for over 40 years.
Nowadays, women have taken over kink, quite literally as semi-famous BDSM porn site Kink.com is helmed by Princess Donna, the porn director who is all about the ladies living out their fantasies in a safe consensual way, no matter how depraved they are. I wonder how the Marquis would feel about that?
