in order to really answer the question of why one is seen as acceptable and the other not i would like to take you as an example.
how do you feel before you self harm?
how do you feel during?
how do you feel after self harm?
i want you to include both mental and physical effects. you don't have to 'know' to answer, if you notice that you usually have an argument with your parents before you harm yourself include that, even if you don't connect it directly to self harming.
"why do we read horror stories?? because we like to be scared?? why would we like that??"
It's basically the thrill of a roller coaster but more creative. Controlled doses of fear can be fun.
"for the same reason we like pain?? it releases those chemicals in the brain, the endorphins."
There can be so much more to it than that.
"but one is socially acceptable, and the other isn't."
Well... yeah. The first one's just reading something. They'd need to be like something out of Beauty and the Beast to attack someone for reading.
"you're just harming yourself. we do it all the time, really. you fidget or tap your fingers together to feel sensation. that's just the same kind of sensation, but it leaves a mark. and then the people who do it are 'crazy'."
Imagine using other people as an example. Does it seem like it isn't crazy to you when you see someone else inflict harm on themselves?
Personally for me I question the motivation behind it more than the harm itself.
why do we read horror stories?? because we like to be scared?? why would we like that??
for the same reason we like pain?? it releases those chemicals in the brain, the endorphins.
but one is socially acceptable, and the other isn't.
why is that??
you're just harming yourself. we do it all the time, really. you fidget or tap your fingers together to feel sensation. that's just the same kind of sensation, but it leaves a mark. and then the people who do it are 'crazy'.
well, fuck you then. fuck you and your shit.