LadyAngelika
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ORIGINAL: Musicmystery
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But regardless of this fact, here is what is mind boggling to me. Normand's idea was to create what he considered to be an ideal world. I wondered why in the creation of this world, it was important for him to reproduce the male dominated society aspect but then, on the other hand, leave out technology. Was it a rejection of the progress we've made? (Of course, I understand that if it is, it wasn't considered progress).
Gor is hardly an ideal world. It is, however, an alternate one, allowing human nature to play out in different ways than it would on Earth.
Technology, specifically weapons technology, prevents individual talent and initiative to be the presiding factor in events. Instead, the worst with the best technology can be tyrants. On Gor, there's a saying--the swords of others will set your limits. To excel, you have to actually be strong (in all senses, not simply physically), not just have bigger guns. This is true metaphorically as well as literally.
Thank you for explaining that. I was never exposed to this side of it.
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Some of the misunderstanding comes from Norman's reactions to feminism. Now, I'm all for equal pay and so forth, but if you think back to the 60s rhetoric, feminist writers put forth some pretty poorly supported stuff--including preparing for a world without men (I'm not exaggerating). Norman may have gone a bit far in his response, but that's the context.
Oh I know all about the idiots who wanted to prepare for a world without men. I actually studied feminism in-depth academically and I'll come right out and say that while I believe that some of it served a purpose, a lot of it was over the top.
That said, Norman's reaction has influenced his works. If it hadn't, there might not be such a strong misconception. There are grey areas, for sure. But I do believe that something is what you make it. Seems like your, personally, have not made it about this and I commend you for that.
In one of the rare funny feminist jokes, "I can do anything a man can do!" is answered by "Don't set your sights so low!" It's a glib retort, but it speaks a truth. Women were trying to be men. Instead, why not be superior women? That's what Gor means when talking about following our nature.
But a lot of women hide behind this. I remember a friend and colleague's poster---100 reasons it's hard to be a woman artist. Thing is, everything on that list applied to ALL artists, not merely women artists. Gor would take a dim view, and not simply because this example discusses women.
In several studies, women are indeed found to be less likely to strive to succeed in leadership roles than men. Does that mean this applies to all women? Of course not. To a Gorean, women--and men--will be happiest when following the path best suited to their natures. Be who you are.
I haven't read those several studies so I can't comment on them. I would like to read them as I'm actually doing doctoral studies on leadership.
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For example---I didn't decide to become Dominant. In fact, I prefer to be left to work by myself. However, time and time again, I always ended up in charge. Vanilla girlfriend after vanilla girlfriend, girls went weak and wet when I took control. Smart girls. Talented girls. Strong personalities--but happier when I took control.
Take you. I've seen you in forums with submissive men. You don't have to force your hand; it's a comfortable matter of being yourself for you, and the boys fall over themselves to curry your favor, even snipping at each other in a kind of "Back off, I was here first" way while you calmly keep them in order. It's who you are. And I've seen other "dommes" essentially glorified bitches expecting people to kowtow to them, just as we've both seen wannabe "masters" of the "kneel bitch" variety.
Thank you for the kind words.
And I do agree that dominance is something that we naturally have in us or not. And I don't see it as a gift or a curse but rather as just simply what is.
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Could there be a slave in you? Perhaps, with a strong man working with who you are. Isn't that what all successful seduction does? Sees the person for who he/she is? Perhaps not. Who cares. And all this would be fine from a Gorean perspective.
I had a Dom about 7 years ago. I often say that he might be the only one who ever could dominate me because it was in very specific circumstances and he is a very special man. In fact, I think everyone can be dominated, ultimately. Just some are less likely to be than others. As for if I could be a slave, only if forced into doing so. The simple though of not having any say is enough to drive me bonkers.
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Things are what they are, not what we tell them to be, no matter how hard.
I agree. I guess who we are influences a lot how we perceive things. So when you say things are as they are, there is a very good chance that two people don't see things as they are in the same way.
- LA
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Une main de fer dans un gant de velours ~ An iron hand in a velvet glove
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