Gorean Philosophy

Question::  Where do You feel the Gorean Philosophy is most misunderstood?

Strummer::  That it is about being either insidiously cruel or magnificently noble. I believe it rather, to be a natural philosophy based on people acting as they really and truely are. The books are historic, action based narratives. As such they tended to focus on the villans and heros of Gor. This is fine for selling books and thrilling audiences, but it does omit about 99.7% of the actual population. In my Gorean philosophy most of the people get up in the morning, go to work, pay their bills, and manage their property reasonable well. They do go out occassionaly for an evening's entertainment. They do not aspire to be something other than what they are. On Urth, we are constantly being barraged, from all sorts of directions with demands, we move away from our true selves. We are told that we are not thin enough, wealthy, compassionate, spiritual or broad minded enough. We are even told that this brand of product will let us be the person somebody else has told us we really want to be. I believe the root of Gorean philosophy is honesty about who and what we are.

Question::  Disregarding the domination aspect - in Your opinion how does the Gorean Philosophy and Lifestyle differ from that of the standard Earthly way of life?

Strummer::  As a Gorean Male, I feel unleashed, unharnessed, free to be myself and express my deeper nature. It's as though I can feel power surging through my feet when I walk. As an Urth Man I am restrained and corraled within this artifical society that we've constructed. Sometimes it's absolutely choking. Here is a little of what I mean by artificial: I work in an industry completely dominated by careing, concerned, social activist types. Additionally, I live in one of the most "progressive" states in America. Personally, I view most of our problematic situations as having roots in Societies unrealistic expectations of the abilities and behaviours of human beings. My Gorean nature is to discover what people really want and then discover not only what they CAN, but what they WILL do to achieve those goals. I then decide what there is to support or oppose. In my Urthen environment however, such a response would be totally unnacceptable. Rather, we must endure endless hours in meetings, designing programs, formulating policy and drafting legislation. All designed to produce people who do things they can't or don't really want to do, thus enabling them to have things they never really wanted. This is erroniously refered to as "leveling the playing field". It NEVER works of course, and it's hidiously expensive. Still, the answer is always to have more meetings, strengthen a few policies, broaden some program or another and to create more legislation.

Question::  For many, to bring the Gorean Philosophy into their Earthly lives: the cost and sacrifices are great: What has been Your greatest sacrifice to date?

Strummer::   I notice that it takes MUCH longer to get those projects done around the house. Now that bahni and I both are on Gor, we read the books, search the home pages, chat on IRC and spend more time in each other's arms. The down side is that I'm in the seventh month of a two month remodleing project <grin>.

Question::  What does it mean to be a Gorean Master, what are the qualifications?

Strummer::  It means that that you have accepted the responsibility for the welfare, and consequences for the behaviour of others as well as for yourself. It also means that you are finally ready to deal with life on it's own terms. I suppose that it is being rigerously honest about the nature of your world and those around you are. It is about being who you yourself truely are.

Question::  Do you think a Gorean can perform an unforgivable action or crime on IRC? If so, what would that be?

Strummer::  Not really. Nicks are too easily changed. Any particular persona might commit such a crime, but the person can simply be back the next day as someone else.

Question::  Up till what time should a Gorean Male stand by His Brothers?

Strummer::  When they begin to expect that others will do for them, that which they should be doing for themselves.

Question::  How much responsibility does one Gorean Male have to another?

Strummer::  Not a great deal. Treat him with reasonable dignity and respect until he shows you that he is not worthy. Then avoid him like the plague.

Question::  With regards to "Honor, Integrity, and Brotherhood" which to You, holds the most regard? Why?

Strummer::  None of it matters much, without integrity.

Question::  Under what conditions would a Gorean Male move from His home stone?

Strummer::  In the books, some Men spend many years away from their Home stones. I suppose that most Merchants and Poets travel for extended periods of time, as well. As far as taking a differant Home stone, that is a situation that I've not encountered in any of the books that I've read. It would have to be a very serious decision, indeed.

Real Life Issues

Question::  In real life Gorean relationships, where do you think the Master/slave relationship should begin? Where do you think it should be set aside due to the requirements of our society?

Strummer::  I can only speak from my own experience. In the case of myself and bahni, it began after 20 years of conventional Urth marriage. We had the advantage of having already known each other through years of communication. Most begin without that advantage. I suppose that most r/l relationships begin on IRC. I have seen several Master/slave couples move in together as a result of having met on-line. Usually, this meant one or both of them leaving established r/l families. This appears VERY difficult to make work. The success rate I'm afraid, is not good. As far as to where r/l Master/slave relationships must be set aside, I've said it before. At the couple's front door. This is my standard example: Leash up your slave. Have her naked and put her in chains. Then, take her with you to the Grocery store. Just for good measure, cuff her upside the head a couple of times while waiting in the check out line. You'll discover just how Masterful you really are, riding downtown in the back seat of a police squad car.

Question::  There is much concern about the Gorean Lifestyle, from many, in regards to children being within the household, how has Master controlled this aspect, so as not to influence the children in any way?

Strummer::  In the case of myself and bahni, our kids were nearly grown when we got into this. Older teenagers, in fact. Fortunantly, throughout their entire lives, we've been open and honest with them. We've done our best to not keep "secrets" from them. That really has made life simpler. They are not particularly aware of the details in our Gorean life, but they know some of who we are and what we do here. When the kids are home, bahni wears her collar in the bedroom. But, our son has seen it on her dresser. Both kids know that we have a collection of Gorean books and spend lots of time reading them. We put in another phone line. They were complaining that our spending so much time on Gor, kept them from talking with their friends. At their ages though, they really do have lives of their own. They seem to have very little interest in what mamma and Daddy do.

Question::  How much of the Lifestyle is presented in the face of the children?

Strummer::  I guess the answer is that we present parts of it. For example: bahni takes middle eastern dance. Often, she practices in the house. Occassionally, we go to dance festivals. The kids have seen our collection of Gorean books. Some of those books have pictures of slavegirls dancing on the cover. The costume that bahni is putting together does look alot like what those girls are wearing. Ask yourself this; are two teenaged kids smart enough to put all those facts together? Of course they are, they are not stupid. But really, they don't seem much to care about it one way or the other. They've got way more important things to worry about. Their lives revolve around truely Urth shattering dilemas such as; how might they get a date with that cutie in 3rd hour class and, how in the world can they possibly pass that algebra test next Friday. The main thing is that in the end, r/l still has to be managed. bahni still goes to work every day. I still do chores around the house. The yard has to be cut, the oil has to be changed. That is what our kids really see; us being us, every day, month after month, not much different than we've ever been. And besides, there's not a single Tarn in the whole dang neighborhood.

Mastery

Question::  In your opinion, when is it appropriate to punish a slave?

Strummer::  When it will help her to please you.

Question::  If mental punishment is more effective than physical, what are Your favored forms of mental punishment?

Strummer::  Discipiline through discussion and having the slave publicly display the results of my displeasure in her.

Question::  Is open humiliation a good tool to be used when teaching a slave or correcting one?

Strummer::  It can be. Though if it is done, public acceptance of your approval in her correction should follow.

Question::  What do You find most provacative in a slave's serve?

Strummer::  The way she describes herself.

Question::  In Your opinion, is there ever a time for a slave to be Your equal?

Strummer::  A Master accepts the role of custodian not only for his own behaviour and welfare, but for that of his slave's. She must therefore, always be a factor in his decisions. She is never his equal but she is always his responsibility.

Question::  Is there ever a time to "coddle" a slave? If so, when?

Strummer::  If a sword is dull and rusty, only a fool would not oil and sharpen it. If his prize hunting sleen were ill, a reasonable Man would tend to it. These are things a Man owns to serve him and his pleasure. When a slave is in pain and nearing dispair, a soft touch is often more effective than a whip. There are times when gentle guidance will sooner get her to that place where she can better serve her Master. I suppose, some may call this coddling. I prefer to think of it as effective management of my property.

Question::  As a Master, what do You feel is Your greatest attribute?

Strummer::  It pleases me to see the achievments of other's exceed their greatest desire.

Question::  As a Master, what do You feel is Your worst attribute?

Strummer::  It appears that I do have something of a mean streak in me.

Question::  When does the gossip of slaves become a concern for Masters? If and when it becomes such, how should it be dealt with?

Strummer::  I have seen gossiping slaves tear up more channels than any other single factor. When it first begins to become disruptive, the Masters should settle those matters promptly and decisively.

Question::  Do you think it permissable for a slave to have secrets which he or she keeps from a Master?

Strummer::  No. A Master owns all of his slave. Her memories, talents, and ideas are his to explore and use. I have no objection to a girl keeping such r/l things secret as her bank account numbers and where her children go to school, stuff like that, at least until they are ready to become to a r/l relationship.

Miscellaneous

Question::  Do you think a standardized system of virtual monetary exchange would be a good idea, or a bad one?

Strummer::  A good idea. Right now, it cost nothing to start a channel, wage war, kill an advisary, buy a slave or drink paga. We are in a world where nothing is "real" and everything is "free". Is is any wonder that it is in such a mess?

Question::  Do you feel the qualifications for choosing an online caste such as Warrior" should be more strict?

Strummer::  Well, I'd like to see at least "some" kind of experience in the caste of choice. In the US, right now way less than 10% of Men serve in the military. Does it not seem odd that at least 85% of Gorean men are warriors?

Question::  Why did You choose the caste of Musicians and Singers?

Strummer::  The only two castes that I had any r/l experiance in, was that of the Merchants and that of the Poets, Musicians and Singers. I decided early on to travel Gor and search it for depth and beauty. That sort of put me into the robes of red and aqua.

Question::  What is Your favorite source book? Why?

Strummer::  Well, I'm still reading book #11. So, there are still some good ones that I not gotten to yet. Of the ones I've read so far, I guess that it would be book #8, "Raiders of Gor". Though he belaboured the point ad nausium for the next two books, I like "Raiders" because that is where Tarl lost his pride.

Question::  What book would You recommend for a girl to read? Why?

Strummer::  Of the first eleven, it would be #7, "Captive of Gor". It was written from the female perspective and bahni REALLY liked it ;)

Question::  Which net (DALnet, AUSTnet, etc.) do you feel the most comfortable visiting? Why?

Strummer::  I started out on Dal. In fact, the place that I still claim as my home stone is on Dal. I spend most of my time now on Aust because I am 1/2 owner of the #Sword&Shield Tavern.

Question::  Do you think requirements to be a "slave trainer" should be introduced? If so, what would they consist of?

Strummer::  I'd like to see some common expectations in a whole lot of areas. I suppose that the "licencing" of trainers and their programs would be a part of that. The requirements for both would have to be drawn up and overseen by persons knowledgeable both in the fields of both education and Gorean culture.

Question::  How much roleplaying in a Gorean channel is too much, beyond the typical serving of pretend beverages and food, cyber-whippings, etc?

Strummer::  Anything that is patently Un-Gorean, I don't care for. Fire breathing dragons slain by Authurian knights on horses rather ruins the effect for me. Open sex sceneing is really more appropriately done in certain channels than it is in others. I would really rather not watch a noisy, messy slave rape for example, while trying to eat a roast bosk sandwich.