Well I for one am curious how it all plays out, though I suppose we only get the snapshot that is presented on the web. Flip side of putting something out there for the world is that you're gonna get reactions to it- I don't see why people are so polarized and angry, and I don't think Steve needs anyone standing up for him or criticising people for expressing an opinion- he wouldn't've said anything if he wasn't wanting to hear the various responses.
FWIW my own opinion on poly in general is- good for you if you can manage it and everyone is happy, for me in the past it is too stressful to feel I have to chose between divided loyalties and anyway in my current relationship I don't feel any desire to be with anyone else physically, though who knows how I'd feel older and in a marriage like Steve and Erin.
What I think of Steve & Erin going poly in particular... initially reading about it I was excited and curious, but wondering about the practical details, while so far they seem stuck on arguing that jealousy is a foolish emotion.
I'm curious- how closely will Erin be involved with Steve's other lovers? It'd seem out-of-character for them to segregate relationships instead of sharing, but then is there any line? If the other woman and Erin have clashing personalities, where does that go? If they become close friends and then the relationship with Steve ends? Will the other lovers be intimate with Steve in their house? spend the night? and if not, if Steve takes off for dates and becomes infatuated with someone else and spends a lot of time with her, is he leaving Erin alone with more responsibilities and is that fair/ok with her?
Then I listened to the podcast, and my expectations significantly lowered- it sounded rehearsed, smarmy, and just not the genuine expression I expect from them- particularly Erin. I don't know why I had that reaction- maybe it's just that they talked it through so much beforehand that the podcast came out stale and fake, or maybe I'm just a bad judge... But it makes me question Erin's motives and feelings, whether she's 100% ready for this, or if she feels cornered into it by Steve's unhappiness with the current state-of-affairs and by her own beliefs urging that she shouldn't have a problem with it.
I also wonder what is the plan if Erin gives this a try and finds it unpleasant? Will Steve go back to monogamy? will he push her to continue with it? It's a difficult thing to stare down divorce and separating your children from their father, or forcing someone you love back into unhappiness, just because you're uncomfortable; yet I also think trying to endure too much could lead to emotional distance and it all falling apart anyway.
Anyway, it isn't my relationship, so I just wish them the best of luck, and I'm curious to hear how it goes.
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