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November 13 1997It was last sunday night that the "discussion" was held on Effnet. The topic was indeed an interesting one: "The World of Gor: educating, enlightening, dispelling myth". I was pleased to see that so many Goreans were present to become educated, enlightened, and to have the "myth" of their community dispelled, once and for all. The guest speaker was supposedly one of long standing within the Gorean community, so I, like many others, went to listen.
I was in the channel for perhaps 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of the discussion. This was perhaps a mistake on my part, since watching all the subbie wenches playing did little to make my mood light and airy. I find it bothersome, and somewhat amusing at the same time, (an interesting combination of emotions that I do not recommend) that those of the D/s and BDSM communities seem to do so little to control their women. I suppose that this simple matter of behavioral characteristics is just one of the many things that set Goreans apart from the others, as they should be set apart.
Finally the presentation began. The channel was set to moderated talk, so that the speaker could have his say before taking questions from the audience. One of the subbie Ops graciously 'points to the "No talking while your guest is speaking" sign and points out the nifty private msgs feature that came with everyone's individual chat client'. I was pleased to discover this feature. I Think this was a very wise choice on the part of the hosts to moderate the channel since many Goreans tend to become loud, and a bit hot headed when their beliefs are so shamelessly trodden on, watered down, and mixed into a vanilla shake to allow the inclusion of just about everybody and their dog into the Gorean community.
So we sat in dejected silence, many of us quietly fuming around our gags, (in the nifty private msg feature of course) as the speaker rambled on, speaking about what being Gorean REALLY is. By the end of the narration, it was very clear (according to the speaker) that the Gorean community, and it's beliefs, is nothing more than an offshoot of the more established BDSM and D/s leather (?) communities. Also, what seemed to be a highlight of his talk, was that "Gor is IRC". Speaking of "priceless" freewomen, free companionships, (usually of the opposite sex) slaves not used for breeding, (except to create more slaves) and the general belief that the books are merely a guideline to be used in our IRC roleplay. At this point I was so angry to think that this person actually "teaches" people about Gor that I was fit to be tied, and ready to leave. However, I was convinced to stay and listen to what people had to say.
When the gags were finally removed from our mouths, I found a very rude, and snide remark falling from my fingers into the channel about the lack of an expected "Gorean" speaker. For that I apologize to the man. The question and answer format, I found to be acceptable, since everyone was allowed to ask a question. I thought a while about what my own question would be to this man, and put it together in my buffer. I thought it a rather simple question, so added a second question to the end of the first:
- I have grown to find that much of what Norman wrote about in his story of Gor is non fictional... such as the nature of human beings, and basic human biology... Men being dominant over women, by nature. Do you still feel that the books of Gor are fictional works? And also, you mentioned being Gorean as just another side of BDSM and D/s "leather"(?)... how do you relate Gor to BDSM?
The first question, I think, would have been well answered with a simple yes, or no. The second, of course, would have required a longer answer, but when I was told that he would gladly answer the questions in e-mail, I was a bit displeased, and said that there is no need, since I felt he answered it already.
I sat for a while longer, listening to the questions presented by others within the audience, and it ocurred to me that some were using it as nothing more than a slam session directed at the strictness of the Gorean community. They spoke of "saving" poor little mistreated subbies from the abuse of Gorean men, and they did so with apparent vanilla pride. I do not deny that there are many instances where real slaves are "abused" at the hands of men, but I do believe that many of the things that a man does "to" his slave are definately within the realms of what is to be expected in such a relationship. It is called "control". A Gorean man will do as he pleases with his property. It is what a true slave craves, and needs, in order for her to be what she is, and to grow. I know for a fact that there are a great many Doms/Dommes and subs that percieve these very normal Gorean Master/slave interactions to be abusive, and that is understandable considering their D/s background.
One of the most upsetting things I saw the speaker say, was in answer to a sub's question: "is there any place for a submissive in the world of Gor? Or it strictly slaves?" His response, to make it short, and to the point, was: "If you wish to be Gorean, you are Gorean". A foolish, and seemingly very uneducated and vanilla notion. I am not surprised in the least that many men see the idea of being Gorean as such a game. The fact of the matter is simple: If you wish to be Gorean, then you damn well better understand what exactly it is you are doing, and if what you are doing does not conform to the strict nature of the Gorean community, then you do not belong, whether you wish it or not. It is like saying: "If you wish to breathe under water, you WILL breathe under water". This is true, if only for a short time.
In closing, I will say that I am not totally displeased with the meeting on Effnet. It did serve a purpose. I think, however, it was not the intended purpose which was served. I feel that those real Gorean men and women present were well reminded to beware those of the vanilla D/s and BDSM communities who seek to "teach" us what being Gorean is all about. I admire that they seek to educate, but I suggest that they learn and understand the material themselves before doing so.
I wish you well, Goreans
A quote:
- Soon my wrath towards her had dissipated. I simply could not sustain it. What a sweet and clever slave she was. Even had it been my intention to punish her, which it had not been, I think that she might well have won her freedom from punishment by the dilligent and incredible merits of her helpless slave service. A beautiful slave girl, of course, has no official or legal power. Yet it would be naive to underestimate the weight and influence of her beauty, her vulnerabilty and service. Her display and submission behaviors, and performances, surely influence to a considerable extent the treatment she is likely to recieve at the hands of a master. The sexual placation of the dominant male by the submitting female is universal among primates. It is, thus, presumably genetically determined, or a function of genetic determinations. In the end, of course, the slave girl is without power. It is the master, in the end, who will decide what is to be done with her.
- Tarl Cabot, Beasts of Gor page 341