"Cash slavery"

Hello,

I'm turning to you because at the moment I'm dealing with a precarious issue and I don't really know how to think about it, or I fear I'm lacking the right philosophical foundation to make the right decision. Maybe you can help me out. Be warned though that I'm about to talk about a somewhat sexual ("fetish") topic.

There is a couple of web sites on the internet belonging to a scene for (as the participants call themselves) "cash masters" and "cash slaves". I only know about the gay part but it exists for heterosexuals as well ("cash mistresses"). The basic principle in it is that some men (the "cash slaves") experience sexual arousal or satisfaction when "tributing" money to men they consider - and who consider themselves - superior (the "cash masters"). The transactions usually happen online by means of PayPal or Amazon gift cards. The "slaves" usually stay incognito while the masters present themselves on the appropriate web sites through pictures, videos and "dirty talk" or even have pay-per-view web sites or online groups. Some "masters" are really good looking and straight (or at least claim they are) and show themselves in masculine, confident, cocky poses. As I see it, in this way they are incorporating desires the "slaves" have but will never be able to satisfy. Usually this comes along with insulting and degrading speech towards the "slaves" ("f a g g o t" seems to be the prevalent expression on those sites) and, interestingly, foot fetish imagery. Frequently, the fact of the "slaves" being homosexual is seen as a justification for them having to "serve" their "masters". Sometimes a long-term relationship/"ownership" is aspired.

Being dominant in (really harmless and consensual) sexual encounters at times as well, I somehow came across this phenomenon. At first I couldn't believe this is actually happening. Some guys really seem to live off their "slaves". I was tempted to take part in it and rip off a "slave" myself. It just felt so ... wicked and therefore hot in a way. However, I felt it was wrong. As I had chat conversations with some "slaves", I learned that some want to quit what they are doing but can't because their "masters" threaten them with blackmail in case they don't continue to pay. Some even asked for the blackmail in the first place. It all seems so weird. I understand there's a lot of things going on sexually which remain unseen for the normal society but isn't this really crossing some limits? The "masters" at least seem to think it's okay what they're doing as they're making everything public.

I really don't know how exactly I should be evaluating the situation. Is it a sexual variety? Prostitution? A crime? Maybe I just want you to tell me to keep my hands off the whole thing... But I really want to have a coherent reasoning on the subject. I don't know much about philosophy (I think Mr. Kant would say it was condemnable and Mr. Nietzsche might say I should give it a try if i felt that I deserve it, right?) or "BDSM" sexuality (I heard that there's a theory that being active or passive is actually the same thing, which in this case would really scare me...), but maybe you can lead me the way.

Yours,

D.

P.S. I'm a 25-year-old gay male. I don't think homosexuality is a fault, I think I'm kind of attractive and I don't have problems with being gay (although I'd say I haven't really had much luck).

P.P.S. Please excuse any errors, English is not my mother tongue.

P.P.P.S. Do you think I should see a shrink?

Hey,

I never knew that this occurs but it is appalling to me. If you can separate this from it's sexual component, you will see that it is just a symptom of the greedy society that we live in. That is, a society where some people manipulate others to gain wealth.

I would not concern yourself with this sort of thing; and I suggest that you stop visiting these websites. It goes without saying that you should also not give any money to these 'scammers'.

Kevin.

I agree with everything Chucky said.