ONLINE POWER

With all the discussions on the boards lately, I went into the stacks of Marcus of Ar and he had written a nice dissertation on message boards and what the real power in online Gor is

I was recently told that the corkboards and message boards “are the real power in online Gor.”

Huh?

I was then immediately reminded of the following passage from the Gor books:

“Those who control the public boards, it is said, control the city. But I was not sure of this. Goreans are not stupid. It is difficult to fool them more than once. They tend to remember,:

Tarl Cabot, pg. 488-489, Magicians of Gor

If one is referring to “online Gor,” perhaps attitudes and opinions can be shaped by those who control such boards. But how much power do such boards really wield? The only “power” to be found online is the power of agreement, of consensus, and in order to with that one must have decent, intelligent, and relatively insightful thoughts, and simply get them out in public for people to consider. But is that “power”? And does it lie in the hands of those who own and moderate such message boards? Is that a true statement?

Ugh. If so, then online Gorean interaction has reached an all-new low, in my opinion.

But it ISN’T true. Nor is any such power in the hands of the owners of such message boards. The only thing that such a message board can do is provide a medium where like-minded people can post their thoughts and musings. If those thoughts and musings are intelligent and well-stated, and entertaining, then people will undoubtedly read and enjoy them. Whoopee! And if those thoughts are simply the same people posting the same things over and over, no one will bother to keep reading.

“Power?” Ridiculous. It is almost as if some who log online under a Gorean guise wish to practice some odd experiment in Gorean “mind-control.” But that doesn’t work. Because people have the wonderful tendency to think for themselves. All anyone can try to do is state one’s argument clearly and relatively inoffensively, and attempt thereby to share one’s opinions with others. And in that, all are equal. No individual’s words carry more weight than anyone else’s, unless he has gained a reputation as being an honest and straightforward kind of person, who knows a lot about what he happens to be talking about. 

How can one amass such a reputation?

Well, you can always try being an honest and straightforward kind of person, who knows a lot about what he happens to be talking about. That seems to work pretty well, from what I have seen.

 

All too often we see words and posts on the board that are bashing and condescending. Let us try to be honest and straightforward in all we say and in doing so try to bring Gor out of the doldrums that it is in now.

TEN STATEMENTS OF THE GOREAN PHILOSOPHY

In the last blog entry, I brought up what Marcus said about the Philosophy of Gor and what it is. He also wrote an entry on the ten irrefutable dicta of the Gorean Philosophy. This is a continuation of what the Gorean philosophy is and it is my hope that we take all of this to heart and learn to try to apply both to our lives in Gor.

THE BIG TEN

THE TEN IRREFUTABLE DICTA OF THE GOREAN PHILOSOPHY

“Had not the writings of the ancients lingered on

but faded with the years,

What trace would not remain to tell us of our past?

To tell us what we were, and are?”

The following is a list of the ten primary dicta, or explanatory statements, of the “Gorean Philosophy",” as I see it. You will note there is no reference to the practice of slavery among them. That is because the practice of slavery is not a primary pillar of the Gorean philosophy; rather it is a social practice which has come into being on Gor as a result of the adherence of Goreans to the basic concepts explained below.

Nor is the word “honor” used. That is because honor is also a concept and practice which has developed among the Goreans as a result of the application of the dicta below, notably the fifth and sixth dictums.

I add that, to the typical inhabitant of the world of Gor,  the concepts expressed below would be so self-evident they wouldn’t even bother to name or define them at all. They would simply practice them, as the Gor books tell us they do. The “Ten Dicta” below have been compiled purely for the benefit of the inhabitants of Earth, who, bereft of the supporting mechanism of Gorean society, are left to fumble through the murky landscape of Earth, attempting to find such rules and concepts to use as guideposts as they attempt to glean the truths of Gorean existence for themselves.

Please note that accepting these dicta do not automatically make one “Gorean.” There are, undoubtedly, quite a few people out there who do accept these concepts in some way, shape, or form, who have never even heard of “Gor” and who have no idea that the Gorean Philosophy even exists. Also, one might embrace these dicta while refusing to acknowledge the other elements which combine to comprise the Gorean Philosophy in its entirety, in which case, again, one is not getting the whole picture. However, in my opinion, the refusal to accept and embrace the dicta listed below Do make a person absolutely NOT Gorean.

So, if one wished to be Gorean, or to understand what it means to be Gorean, one might do well to examine the ideas expressed below and decide whether or not one agrees with them.

All of the concepts below, with the exception of the tenth, are distilled almost entirely form the words of Tarl Cabot, in his description of the manner in which Goreans think. The tenth one is simply and categorically self-evident.

The First Dictum

We are all creatures formed from nature, and are therefore subject to the truths of what it has made of us. This cannot be denied.

The Second Dictum

We are all part of our world, and the natural forces which made it. We are not apart from it, nor are we above it, nor can we deny its power over us. It is folly to attempt to change what cannot be changed, or to refuse to acknowledge the power which nature has over us. This cannot be denied.

The Third Dictum

The two sexes, male and female, are equal parts of the same great whole which is the human race. Equal, but separate, each bound to perform the function which it has evolved into through the course of time. This cannot be denied.

The Fourth Dictum

The greatest division which comes between human beings is the division of sex. Race, creec, nationality… all pale to insignificance when compared to the difference between the two sexes. This cannot be denied.

The Fifth Dictum

The highest devotion is the devotion to truth. The most beneficial acceptance is the acceptance of what is true. The most foolish and damaging act one can perform is the denial of what is true. Such denial is the wellspring from which the ravages of discontent emerge. This cannot be denied

The Sixth Dictum

Conflict, argument, and clannishness are all fundamental parts of out human nature. Left to their own devices, such things result in stagnation and destruction. But when understood and harnessed in the service of the greater good, they can be a positive force for personal growth and development. This cannot be denied.

The Seventh Dictum

In matters of physical strength. the human male is naturally equipped by nature to function at a higher level of efficiency than the human female. In matters of emotional sensitivity and the innate desire to care for and nurture those she loves, the human female is naturally equipped by nature to function at a higher level of efficiency than the human male. The human male is programmed to protect and direct his femal counterparts. The human female is programmed to aid and care for her male counterparts. The members of each sex are more fulfilled when they accept here own nature, rather than denying it. This cannot be denied.

The Eighth Dictum

All creatures will naturally behave according to their inherent nature. To do otherwise is the first step toward emotional and biological suicide. This cannot be denied.

The Ninth Dictum

Human society, like the natural order, will naturally structure itself along certain lines of precedence. The stronger and more able elements of human society will naturally rise to a position of superiority over the less dominant elements of society.The protectors and providers will naturally protect and provide, and the nurturers and care givers will naturally nurture and give care. Any artificial manipulation of the natural structure of a society, which is not according to its natural propensities, will eventually result in a society which is far less efficient and fulfilling than its natural counterpart. This cannot be denied.

The Tenth Dictum

The Gorean societal model is based upon specific guidelines set forth by John Norman in the books which he authored regarding the fictional planet Gor. Unless it conforms to, or agrees with, those basic guidelines, a thing cannot be considered “Gorean” in any sense of the word. This cannot be denied.

It cannot be denied that the Gorean Philosophy has been defined and explained well in two consecutive blog entries. Further, it cannot be denied (at least by me) that these philosophies are in each one of us who roleplay in this Gorean world. May we try to apply these philosophies in our daily walk in Gor.

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF GOR?

In my last blog entry I had mentioned the three stages of Gorean thought and mentioned the Philosopher, one who accepts some of the philosophy as an element of established BDSM tradition, and the Lifestyler, one who lives the Gorean Philosophy to the best of his or her ability. Now, many of you might be asking what the Gorean Philosophy is, and Marcus of Ar had written two items on the Gorean Philosophy, which will be listed in this entry and the next one.

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF GOR?

by _Marcus_ of Ar

That is a difficult question to answer: there are as many philosophies on Go as there are people to embrace them. Rather than ask what is the philosophy of Gor, perhaps it is better to examine ALL of the philosophies of Gor, and try to discover the unifying factors which they have in common. These, then, are the basic tenets upon which the Gorean philosophy is based.

Throughout the 25 books which make up the chronicles of counter-earth, certain principles and beliefs are often repeated, which the narrator proclaims are widely held by Goreans in general. I have selected several of these, the principles which in my opinion seen to be the foundation for the basic Gorean system of ethics.

1) Be WHAT you are: Similar in many respects to a tenet set forth by the Earth philosopher Marcus Arelius; namely that each thing which exists possesses its own unique singularity. When a thing attempts to be something it is not, problems arise. A man is a man; a woman is a woman, a tree is a tree, a flower is a flower. To the Gorean mind, it is foolish for anything to assume the properties of another thing. Therefore, each person is required to understand his or her basic nature, and to abide by it. According to such a tenet, therefore, it is assumed that there are needs, desires, and activities which are specifically masculine, and those which are specifically feminine. Though the lines may blur at times, when all things are reduced to their basic forms, each thing is appreciated and celebrated for its own uniqueness, and is not forced to assume properties of another, different, thing.

2) Be WHO you are: This tenet applies in regard to a person’s existence in society and the caste structure. It takes into account the fact that everyone possesses certain talents and abilities from birth, regardless of their familial caste. Therefore, upon Gor a person is free to raise his or her caste on the basis of ability. This also applies in regard to freedom and slavery. To the Gorean mindset, each person is born with a desire for freedom, and an innate slave nature. A person’s proper place in society is dependant upon how these two factors are balanced within the personality of that particular Gorean. most Goreans believe that anyone who has within them a burning desire to exist free of structures will not suffer slavery, dying rather than submitting to bonditude. A person who has within them a strong slave nature, the desire to be controlled and commanded, will eventually succumb to their inner need to serve others, free of all responsibility to things other than themselves and their service.

3) Obey the Natural Order of things: This tenet applies to the way Goreans view the world around them. They feel it is futile to attempt to disregard the effect of hundreds of generations of evolution If a creature is naturally genetically superior to another, then it is considered fitting and proper that such a creature should dominate other, less developed creatures. In regards to human beings, it is understood that the stronger and/or more intelligent members of the race should be allowed to assume their rightful place in command of their inferiors. In regard to male/female sexual relations, it is therefore the right of the male, who is genetically predisposed for physical dominance, to control the physical aspects of his relationship to the female. In return, he is expected to behave as the hunter/provider, seeing to the protection of the female to insure the propagation of the race. Females, meanwhile, who tend to be smaller and less physically powerful, are expected to respect the biological truths of their lesser physical nature, while making the most of their genetic predisposition to serve and aid the male, and utilizing their superior emotional empathy and long-term endurance to do so while surviving and advancing the species. Not all women are slaves, though the female sex is often referred to by males as “the slave sex.” Gorean females are simply expected to respect and understand that they are less able in areas requiring raw physical strength than their male counterparts, and adjust their behavior accordingly. When one considers the fact that personal combat to the death is a daily occurance throughout Gor, such behavior among Gorean women is a wise practice to say the least.

4) Advancement of the Strong: This tenet is similar to that described above; it simply refers to the common Gorean belief that strength, whether it is physical strength, mental strength, or strength of will, should be celebrated and set forth as an example. In this way the Gorean feels he advances the human race, adding to its chances for survival and continued existence.

5.) Subjugation of the Weak: This principle acts as the inverse to the tenet above. In order that the race may grow stronger, it is necessary that the weaker and lesser adaptive elements of Gorean society be diminished and controlled. Warfare and slavery are two methods by which this end is accomplished.

6) Do what you will: This is one of the key principles to Gorean philosophy; basically, it means that every Gorean is expected to strive within the limits of his or her existence to achieve self-fulfillment and lasting happiness. A Warrior may draw his sword and lead an army to conquer a city, if he is strong enough and fit enough to do so. A freewoman may attempt to contract a profitable companionship or to build a financial empire, if she is strong enough and clever enough. Even a slave is expected to seek her deepest self-fulfillment within the bonds of her Master’s chains. In such a manner, each Gorean is expected to strive and achieve something for the collective Gorean society, and struggle to attain perfection within the structure of that society. To the Gorean mind, there are always possibilities for advancement no matter what the situation.

7) Responsibility for One’s Actions: This tenet is based upon the Gorean concept of basic “Cause and effect.” It is through the practice of this principle that the rest of the tenets listed above make sense, and function. This is the belief that everyone, no matter how great or horrible, chooses the course of his or her destiny. When a Warrior draws his sword, he can expect to suffer the consequences. When a Gorean submits to the bonds of slavery, he or she is expected to acknowledge and accept what occurs afterward. In such a way every choice made by every single Gorean is inextricably bound together with the choices of his or her fellow Goreans in a great interlinking web of cause and effect, a massive net of fate which moves the race forward into the future like an unstoppable juggernaut. Do whatever you want to, but expect it to effect you, either for good or ill. You are responsible for yourself. Excuses are futile and no one wants to hear them anyway. If you screw up, take your medicine, deal with the situation, and move on to the next thing. The basic rules and maxims of the various caste codes and fundamental principles for Gorean honor seen to be based mostly on this concept; this, in effect, is the explanation for Gorean “cruelty.” Goreans are not cruel, they are practical. “That which does not kill them makes them stronger,” to paraphrase from Nietzsche. If you wear the collar of a slave, look like a slave, act like a slave, and do not either fight your way to freedom or die in the attempt, then you must really be one. In any case, you were free at one point… so what happened? You either needed to be a slave, were too weak to stay free, or screwed up really bad somewhere along the way. Whatever the case, deal with it. Life is not fair, and most Goreans are far too practical to try to make it so. Life sucks. If you get hit on the head, don’t waste time crying about it… accept it and next time wear a helmet.

Gorean philosophy is, in many cases, a zero sum equation. A Gorean must look within himself for the strength to contain his emotions, so that he may see with objectivity what is needed and required to bolster the Gorean philosophies and maintain his honor through positive action.

This, then, i my perception of basic Gorean philosophy.

It may not seem fair to you, or perhaps even make much sense from your particular point of view, but I doubt most Goreans care. They have little time for debate, as they are too busy living.

To paraphrase the words of a well known Gorean author:

“An Earthling might very well examine the principles of Gorean philosophy and ask this question: `Why so hard?’

A Gorean would probably shrug, examine the principles of modern Earth philosophy, and answer with the question:

`Why so soft?’”

Of course, that’s just an opinion. I could be wrong.

_Marcus_

I hope that helps with some who wonder what the philosophy of Gor is, and will apply some if not all of it to their own particular roleplay, whether they be slave or Free.

THE THREE STAGES OF GOREAN THOUGHT

Here are more wonderful words from the one known as Marcus of Ar, written in 1999, in which he brings out the three different levels of thinking like a Gorean.

THE THREE STAGES OF GOREAN THOUGHT

I am of the opinion that each individual who seeks to understand Gor passes through at least three distinct stages of transition as they move towards a deeper understanding of Gorean philosophy. I have unofficially classified those stages as follows:

Stage I: The Roleplayer (Believes that Gor is not real in any way, shape or form

Stage II: The Philosopher (Accepts some of the philosophy as an element of established BDSM tradition

Stage III: The Lifestyler (Lives the Gorean Philosophy to the best of his or her ability)

To my way of thinking, one must pass through each stage, in turn, in order to gain a full realization of what actual Gorean interaction is all about. Until one has done so, then one simply does not have the necessary understanding to fully accept the existence of the other “stages.”

Therefore, to one who is locked in Stage I, there are no such thing as stages II and III. Until one comes to understand them, to that individual, they simply do not exist.

Hence the Stage I folks with their constant arguments of “Gor is not real.” To them, at that point, it is not.

When they hit Stage II, they begin to understand that SOMETHING real is going on. But because of their earlier beliefs (characterized by Stage I or “gamer” thinking) they attempt to define the “real” elements as being something other than Gorean, because, to their understanding, “Gor is not real.” A holdover from Stage I.

When they hit Stage III, as defined above, they understand that Gor is indeed real in a certain sense, and it actually impacts upon their lives. They have passed through stages I and II, understand the role-playing elements for what they are (and even appreciate them for their entertainment value), understand that there is actual offline interaction in the BDSM community which parallels, to some extent, what we could call Gorean interaction (Stage II), and they come to understand that the Gorean philosophy is real and applicable in ways they never thought possible.

Trouble is, no one acknowledges the existence of the higher stages until they get there themselves. Until they do, as far as they are concerned, what they happen to be doing at the time is “all there is.”

People, like water, all eventually find their own level of involvement in anything they participate in. But when someone finds a level they like and just sits there, and fails to acknowledge the existence of something other than themselves, trouble invariably ensues.

When, say, an individual who considers all Gorean interaction to be merely a game (Level I) and insists that because they feel that way, that EVERYONE should play with them, then tempers flare and things get sticky.

When someone who has been through the gaming crucible and has reached the other side of it stands up, looks back, and tells those who still consider it all to be “just empty fantasy” that there is something more to it, do the gamers listen? Rarely. Typically they hurl back insults and derision. Hence, arguments ensue, and the individual who claims that there is more to being Gorean than Stage I tends to be called nasty little epithets like “elitist” and “would-be ruler.” This is simply how human nature functions. If you don’t happen to understand how something can exist, then deny its existence. If someone implies that they have achieved something which you have not, then hate them for it.

Eventually in the face of such response, most have come to understand that there is more to something (in this case, Gorean interaction) than the many would dare admit, wind up getting labelled “false prophet” by the unenlightened, and stoned to death. Sometimes they keep plugging away at it, trying to show others what they have learned. Sometimes they lose heart and turn away. And sometimes, if they are dedicated enough, and care enough, they keep coming back, trying to educate others and impel them to move forward.

I know someone like that, a guy who was one of the first to figure out that there was something poignantly real and inarguably valid about the philosophy expressed in the Gor books … the guy who proved to me, through example, that Gor could be loved, and lived, in our modern world, and who brought me out of the shadows to share my views with others who might learn to live a Gorean philosophy.

You know him as Bear. And he still, to this day, being burned in effigy by angry mobs of self-proclaimed Goreans to whom his very existence is proof that they have not yet come to understand that, although one might not be able to be a “Gorean” Gorean, one can be an “Earth” Gorean, which can be pretty damn close.

Anyone who has ever met the man, and looked into his eyes, knows instantly that he is the real deal: one of the first of us to cross over into being Gorean offline as well as online. I have personally met him, and can attest to this fact. Like Zeb, he was Gorean at heart years before he ever logged into his first chat room, and has simply used the online media to share what he has learned. Unfortunately, both of these men, being Gorean at heart, rarely bother to assume an artificial air of politeness in their dealings with others. If they respect someone, it is known. And if they do not, then that, too, is also known, nor do they make any excuses about it or sugar coat their feelings to placate the mob.

They are honest, and tell it like it is. Some people just can’t seem to handle that, for some reason. I, on the other hand, appreciate it, since I have seen that very principle plainly expressed in 25 books from which I derive much of my personal philosophy.

Taken in that context, all of the online activity, the biases, the complaints and mutterings, make perfect sense.

After you read this, think long and hard about what level you are at and if you WANT to move forward and learn more. If not, then expect more arguments and dissensions amongst all Goreans nowadays, thereby further causing strife and dissension amongst those who have a love for Gor and all things Gorean.

 

MY GOR? YOUR GOR? NO! IT IS JOHN NORMAN’S GOR AND SHOULD BE OUR GOR

I posted this quote by Marcus of Ar (from his Silk and Steel website) earlier this year on the other PG Board and reprinted it on other boards. These were his words in the By the Book column he had from November, 1997 through March, 1998. These words, which were written to start his By the Book column on December 25, 1997, were true then and just by looking at what Gor has become now I hope we look back on his words then and follow through on his hope.

Tal Goreans!

I pen these words at the end of what has been a very long and confusing year on Gorean IRC. The online community fragments constantly, sometimes splitting into smaller and smaller pockets of like-minded individuals, each of which has it's own unique views and feelings regarding Gor. But at the same time, many of these isolated pockets of online Goreans seem to be moving in the same direction, like separate trickles, eddies, and currents drawn by the inexorable pull of gravity down to the sea ... or in this case, to Thassa.

I find that gratifying, to say the least. Gor is too big and amazing to be the sole domain of a select vew individuals, and has always been so. As I have often said in the past, MY Gor does not exist; it is Norman's vision, combined with our own hopes and dreams, which give life to our channels and online society. I only hope that one day the very concept of "my Gor" or "your Gor" evaporates, to be replaced by OUR Gor. Then, and only then, will I have come home. Until then, I will try to light a few lamps so we might all see better as we fumble through the fog toward the truth about what Gor is, what it is like, and what it signifies.

 

The reason for the influx of many of these rooms and sites is because we have lost the vision of Gor and what it was in the books. Let us try to reclaim it before it is too late. 

SLAVES AND TRAINING

 

I am of the theory that no matter how long a slave has been on Gor, whether is it 2 months or 10 years, she is to undergo training. Recently I had a slave resist the training because she said she knows it all and as such she does not need to go through it again. My feeling is that even the oldest of old school slaves still go through the same procedures for the simple reason that it is burned in their minds and also ensures that they do not forget how to do it and as such become lax and lazy. I was going through the books and found that in some training the slaves had to do the same thing over and over many times for one week. All too often nowadays it is getting to where the slaves run things and the Free are allowing them to do so.  It all falls back to training, and I know I am guilty of this as well, but if the Free (myself included) would train the slaves to THEIR specificity and how THEY feel the slaves should be trained then most of these problems today with the slaves would be a thing of the past.