Master and I identify as Gorean. People often are very disturbed by this, look surprised when they find out, or refuse to get to know us if they find out before they get to know us. I think most people’s contact with ”Gor“ is online. In a chat room, behind a computer screen and they get this idea of what it is... and the online culture is very different than those of us who practice it in real time as a life philosophy.

Often, people are treated poorly in Gor chat rooms for not knowing the rules, or how they are expected to behave, or hate the sexism and the rules and expectations that they have once they do realize what it’s about. Even real life Goreans are often scorned if they have rules about role play or cybering sexually online, and treated poorly in most Gor rooms online... so I can see why people often would really distance themselves from what they perceive as ”Gor“.

The Gor books are fantasy tales in the similar style as the Conan series. Rugged and passionate tales of being a unique individual. They talk about the warrior code of honor, taking personal responsibility for their actions and the choices they make, making their own way in life. They talk about how people are different and they all play a part in their society and culture.

The online crowd tends to be more focused on rules, rituals and protocols found in the books, or from quotes they find online from the books. They tend to expect service, obedience and proper respect towards those they feel are ”free“ in their rooms. They expect them to be willing to sexually service others. The service is online role-play and I am sure very fun for those who enjoy the fantasy role play aspect of it. They expect perfect obedience from those that type in their room and identify as a slave.

People who practice Gorean philosophy in real life, rather than online, tend to focus more on the honor, integrity and being true to yourself and your nature aspects. They follow the legal laws of living on earth, adapt to fit into society around them, and apply the philosophies that are applicable on earth into their daily lives. In our local Gorean community, serving ”anyone/everyone“ isn’t really a part of it, and we focus more on living life well and to the fullest of our capabilities. We also tend to have less formal protocol or requirements compared to the online version.

Online rooms tend to be fixated on specifics in the book while real life Goreans tend to read between the lines and look at it more like a book on philosophy rather than science fiction or fantasy role play material. Online Goreans tend to role play that they live ”on“ Gor or are in a Gorean tavern or city and attempt to follow Gorean laws and customs while real life Goreans try to incorporate the philosophies from the books in their modern day culture.

The biggest key to me here, is one is real life, and the other is a fantasy. On Gor, the slaves don’t age, they don’t get sick, and we do on earth. In a computer room, behind a screen, a 500 pound male can pretend to be a skinny slave girl. That’s the difference to me. If you get angry, or frustrated, you can turn off the computer or beg to leave the chat room... in real life when your Master has his hands in your hair, the reality is much, much different, it is real life, it’s not role play, it’s not a fantasy or make believe and you can’t pull your Master’s plug, he doesn’t come with an off button..