Thread: ...but what does it MEAN to Roleplay? *puffs on pipe*

Shovel said Sometimes, the simplest of questions can be the most complex of questions. While out and about today I started thinking about the meaning of Roleplay, which prompted the question What does it mean to roleplay? And upon contemplation and reflection, this prompted even more questions from myself. Sure, we can look at the dictionary definition and get a basic understanding of the concept. Roleplay Noun 1. PSYCHOLOGY the acting out or performance of a particular role, either consciously as a technique in psychotherapy or training or unconsciously, in accordance with the perceived expectations of society with regard to a person's behavior in a particular context. 2. participation in a role-playing game. Click to expand... ...But I am not merely interested in just defining it. I would like to explore it more in depth. So, some questions that might be explored What is roleplay? What does it mean to roleplay? What is the purpose or goal of a roleplay? What motivates one to undertake a roleplay? When you have selected a role, is the role you? Or an aspect of you? Or a thought experiment one likes to see played out? Is there a wrong way to roleplay? What makes a roleplay good? Is roleplay real? Click to expand... I'll bite, but I'm taking your pipe after this. What is Roleplay? It's subjective, and entirely different for each person that does it. More often than not it's a creative outlet and escape from our reality into something fantastic, something otherworldly where we can become something we're not. There is no core goal of Roleplay other than the enjoyment it brings each individual, without that enjoyment there wouldn't be a reason to do it after all. A motivation? Again, the escape mechanic it offers as well as the creativity it takes to place your wandering mind somewhere else. Now the role part of the Role Play, that's something to each their own I'd say. Most characters, like it or not, admit it or not have something of the writer inside them. Here on BM we have the cravings and kink of the writers played out through a string together of words. That imprint is the aspect, it's also the enjoyment factor of it. Each part you're mentioning is just a link in the chain so to speak. There isn't a wrong way to roleplay either, none what so ever. However.. Keeping that in mind know that each person clicks with people differently, each person will work better with someone of a similar style, or similar wants and needs for their cognitive adventures no matter what they might be. A good roleplay is also subjective to each person, everyone is different. Some people are attracted to the quick paced one liners, while others prefer a sonnet of words in a shakespearean style, dripping with descriptive creativity. Roleplay as a real thing? Of course it's real, it's an activity that we here at BM, and millions of other places take part in every single day. While the stories and sublime events might only take place in our head, that makes them no less real. We're thinking of them, playing a scene out in our head. Cogito ergo sum, as spoken by Rene Descartes. I think, therefore I am. Delving deeper into this idea, because we think, we're real. Our thoughts are real, our RPs are real. I believe that should suffice somewhat. -Ambles up and snatches the pipe from Shovel- Is mine now, thank you kindly.