Heirachy? like 'rhymes with Hitachi'? like Hitachi Magic Wand?

I was thinking "heirachy" had something to do with an inheritor who has chronic pain issues, but I like @1's suggestion more. :-)

This is one of my favorite things to think about with people in general, Dan. Really, it's why I started reading you in the first place. It's a very hard place to be when those three things are really separated. But when they start to come together, and indeed when there is really no difference - that is a good place indeed. Cheers that this writer sees the basic wisdom in this way of looking at ones self, and here's hoping that Ireland comes through tonight.

Is that really you Dan? Hope the break was fun.

Here's where I would ordinarily start splitting hairs, but I realize that it's an issue that the system accounts for, however vaguely: that space between desire and identity that so many sex workers occupy, "what you do as a matter of preference" (aka "what you do off-the-clock/for free") vs. "what you do for money." And there's always the weird space between "what you desire" and "what you do" as a matter of circumstance that, I readily acknowledge, doesn't often have anything to do with "what you tell people" (as being a function of who it is one is talking to and for what reasons).

Maybe it's the armchair psychologist in my cocksucker side, but for some reason, many men who wouldn't concede that they've gotten it on -- to whatever level -- with other guys in the past to, say, wives, girlfriends, employers, clergy, etc., are perfectly okay with telling me, even when I've given them no overt indication that I can be trested with that information.

Go figure.

Also, there's a space wherein there is no specific answer to "what you prefer." I don't mean asexuality, per se, though that certainly fits; I'm talking about the range of things that extends to the "polymorphous perverse," both in desire and in action.

I love this 'heirachy', Dan. That explains very well one current mess of a person we have at work.

Looks like the Irish have done it! Opponents of marriage equality have conceded defeat.

Gosh, I wish this country could use some kind of democratic or judicial procedure to join the civilized world.

Congratulations, Ireland.

Good thing you and Terry are monogamISH, Dan, because that article was quite a rim job! I'm happy for you, tho.

Seems like the concept of authenticity is a better way to understand these aspects of the self than comparing it to Maslow's hierarchy. I.e., matching your behavior to your own truth rather than to cultural norms, as opposed to a ranking of needs. I think it is useful to think of it this way, where one can gain authenticity by (as slowly as necessary) striving to bring one's behavior into alignment with the self. Hierarchy makes me think you have to do certain things in order like get your social needs met before you can build your esteem.

World's best philosopher, what is this guy on? Love you perspective, most of the time, Dan- your threads have taught me a lot. But this guy is a tad over the top..

Ireland. Well done.
Up yours Catholic Church, up yours.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs doesn't seem to be a good comparison here. Ever heard of the Johari window? It seems to align better with the sexual identity layer cake a little better, from my perspective.

We had one are of the country that voted against the change. I hope it becomes the biggest gay wedding destination in the country.

Also, while I'm very happy that we voted the way we did, and it's rare that I get to be proud of Ireland's liberal ways, you have to remember that abortion is still completely banned, the Church has a total stranglehold on education, condoms attract the highest rate of tax and and we have a constitution chock full of references to the Church and sexist crap about the role of women in the home.

As one of our leading political parties would say 'A lot done, a lot more to do'.