IrishMist
Posts: 7480
Joined: 11/17/2005 Status: offline
|
I almost agree with Rover; almost being that while his points are, to some degree correct; they are not wholly correct. quote:
1. Gor employs gender based dominance, whereas BDSM does not. This is partially correct in that while FC's would be seen as 'dominant' to slaves; within the big picture, they are still submissive. quote:
2. Strict adherants to Gor do not engage in B/D and S/M for the sake of enjoyment/pleasure (ie: they do not "scene"), whereas BDSM does. This is not true. Some very strict adherents DO 'play' in the same sense that those within BDSM do. However, their relationships are not based on BDSM; it is nothing more than a 'side dish' to them; they can take it or leave it. For them, it is the dynamic that should always be upheld first. quote:
3. Gor requires fealty to a set of common principles as expressed in the John Norman books, whereas BDSM has no common doctrine. Gor and BDSM are more alike than you realize. Neither adheres to a 'strict set of guidelines or rules'; both are able to bend to fit the 'user'. While Gor DOES use a specific set of ethics and morals as their base; not all consider that to be the only set; nor do they consider it to be something that can not be shaped around the person, so to speak. quote:
4. Gor is adaptive, as much in the Norman books cannot be realisticly employed. As a result, there is much infighting about what and who *is* Gorean. I'm not sure if that equates to the propensity for some folks in BDSM to talk about who *is* or *isn't* a "real" Dominant, submissive, slave, etc. Actually, the Goreans I have met in real life...notice I said in real life...do not even bother with such incidentals. They wait for a person to ''prove' themselves; not as a Gorean, but as a person of honor. On the message boards, nine times out of ten, the arguments come from those who shout the loudest that they are Gorean and everyone should acknowledge such a claim. We tend to snicker at such arrogance. quote:
5. Gor has a sincere desire to be portrayed and accepted as "better" than BDSM. Not as a personal choice, but as an absolute. Goreans will often counter that such a statement is evidence of insecurity on the part of BDSM, rather than superiority on the part of Gor. But frankly, I believe that is a flimsy defense. I disagree. I have never met a Gorean yet who insists that they are better than those who are into BDSM only. In fact, it has been my experience, that they go out of their way to seperate themselves completly from any mentioon of being compared to, or part of, the BDSM groups. It's important to note that Goreans have very little to no tolerance for online role-play. Many times, the role-players portray themselves as the 'real Goreans'; what is seen online in such cases has no comparison to how a Gorean will behave or treat others in real life.
_____________________________
If I said something to offend you, please tell me what it was so that I can say it again later.
|