[Joy] To be clear, the body/mind is a shared resource, Bear is a contributing member that utilizes the body most often as main fronter. The body's autonomic actions are not owned by anyone in particular regardless of who's fronting. Additionally we often co-front, often without Bear, but it's not a clean switch as that's not necessary or wanted. Like we mentioned, his association to the body is a matter of convenience.
"You're the one owning the body and setting time aside for it all in the first place."
I believe Bear would have agreed with you in 2018 and most of 2019. This is no longer how we see it. We are integral members of a body-system, the body is owned by Bear only on a veto level, and we allow that because he is the one that must present to the material world. If I took over as Bear once asked me to, I would "own" the body. Bear only seeks entertaining free time, he doesn't need to direct it or be involved in it to enjoy it. He can enjoy it in watcher position and honed that ability over the years.
"I force host a lot by giving positive or negative feedback on his actions which has an impact on his 'self'."
[Ashley] we don't really do that anymore. When someone like Bear asks us for advice then we give it. It's been literally years since we nagged him over anything. It was certainly a thing early on, the guy was a mess and needed help.
"Now you're all forcing Aleshe by creating the new book with the goal of strengthening her."
This would be true except when Aleshe is expressing we don't. It's like a rule,not that we couldn't. So you could say we help if we have input into the story but Joy, Aleshe and Ulla are doing most of that. Aleshe and Ulla can express separately because the moons aren't part of the merge, from here the mechanics become somewhat fuzzy. I don't think it's easy to explain.
[Joy] we're not arguing that you're interpretation is invalid, we're only arguing that we have an alternative interpretation where host initiated forcing no longer applies.
[Bear] I never claimed to be sane.