Explain Gorian stuff to me please. :)

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[Tech_Director]

Be very careful

Thanks to a shove from someone who joined I started reading some of the Gor books.

I read one through five, I bought in a bundle with the first six.....but took a break. And haven't been back.

I also bought imaginative sex, though G and I not so much role players. ( though I suppose that's a bit of artificial divide as he does not tie me up or spank me in shops ). I thought why not try something new? .

But.....I found a barrier to get to this and connect with Norman's thinking/ story telling. I don't know whether its the writing or the idea.....I find perhaps the writing blocks me from really connecting with the idea or ideals to appreciate how it feel about it. While I find his descriptions of place and visuals easy to 'see', I didn't really 'connect' with much else. ....( removed description that might be perceived as derogatory but was meant to be just descriptive of how I could not connect)

So, having seen at least two people mention Gorian ideals of BDSM for them I'm hoping that in talking to people who find this is an ideal for them that if I decide to go back to the sixth book I have bought I can go back with more appreciation with how others have connected with it, how it speaks to them. I'd like if I go back to give a better chance and appreciation armed with more insight to make up for where I lack connection.

You are opening a very big can of worms with this thread. Many people within the BDSM and MaST community have extremely strong feelings both Pro and Con on Gor. Good luck.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[Bramblethorn]

I also bought imaginative sex, though G and I not so much role players. ( though I suppose that's a bit of artificial divide as he does not tie me up or spank me in shops ). I thought why not try something new? .

But.....I found a barrier to get to this and connect with Norman's thinking/ story telling. I don't know whether its the writing or the idea.....I find perhaps the writing blocks me from really connecting with the idea or ideals to appreciate how it feel about it.

You're not alone. People are welcome to whatever fantasy they enjoy, but I find it harder to stick to that line when the author lets slip that they believe this stuff not just as "this is a powerful fantasy that many people find erotic" but as "this is a general truth about men and women".

Norman falls into the latter category for me. I nearly snorted tea out my nose at the bit in Imaginative Sex when he earnestly explained that women wear pants to appeal to the latent homosexual in their man.

 

[desertslave]

Oh dear, where to start.

First, I will admit that I was surrounded by some semi-Goreans in my early years. I have my biases, pro and con. Some of the concepts are very hot, but some just make me roll my eyes. I think Norman was a twit, overall, and a marginal writer as well. That said, a few links that might be helpful, maybe:

Warning: The first three links are structured/descriptives or Gorean roleplay that have, perchance, run amok.

http://www.gor.net/things/Basics.html

http://www.gor.net/things/challeng.html

http://www.gor-sl.com/index.php?topic=1721.0;wap2

http://www.tevasama.com/Gor/essays/cornerstones.html

 

[Nightierub]

I own all 25 of the original run, but I am geeky like that. When I delved into BDSM, Gor was more of just another fantasy element that the lifestylers I knew took it. They did not take Gor all that seriously and some considered Goreans to be the D&D/LARP geeks of BDSM. Norman's later novels come across as anti feminist manifestos with a sci fi fantasy theme. Elements are fun but best suited for roleplay rather than a lifestyle.

 

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[LWulf]

To be honest, I'm curious why you are seeking to learn more if you haven't connected to the stories. It seems like a pointless task to me.

In a nutshell, my interpretation (grossly obvious caveat), in real life, Gor is about setting procedures and giving a preset order of progression in a bdsm world. It gives a structure and basis for people regarding how to proceed so both people know what is expected and how to respond. It's about a lot of pomp and circumstance. In that regard, if you love all the intrigue and processes involved with weddings and doing that every day, then Gor in real life might be for you.

Generally, I've only read about ten or twelve of the books though I've never bought "Imaginative Sex." I don't recall reading about various colors of silk. I only remember reading about red and white silk, so right there, me and the real world of Gor part ways. I'm not looking to start an argument, I'm just stating why real life Gor never even began as an interest to me.

I've talk with other established authors who knew John Norman (note I didn't say they were his friends) when he first started writing his series. They described how he basically drew a line between himself and other authors by writing about what he wrote. To interpret how these authors described his outlook, would be to correlate it to the NCIS episode "The Good Wives Club."

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[LWulf]

i think that's a good question.

I suppose we all approach things differently in life. If I'm interested in something I don't mind doing a bit of pushing myself around areas I don't have reaction against. There are aspects of BDSM I know are NOT for me and I would be very bizarre to look into accept from an interest to learn more about for understanding people around me ...something I don't think is valueless. But there is also I think something to be learnt from how one learns and what discoveries one makes in learning.

I made the parallel in studying theology before. Perhaps an another example might be an approach might be how a floating voter with no party allegiance might take to politics? That to judge on media portrayal or gut reaction, rather than understanding of policies is for ...well, not for me.

I have interest, if not connection. I am interested in lots of things. It might be a pointless task for many, but for me I feel it has worth, not as a life time devotional task, but to gain understanding and appreciation at the very least.

I should have realized that was all that was driving you as curiosity has driven me to look far afield for explanations and answers (or at least other people's answers), but I guess as I am getting older, I am losing that desire to learn and thus don't relate to it anymore.

I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with the examples given in your parallel in how authors described his outlook. .

I quite like a little pomp. . I have the character fault of pomposity. But then I also like the rugs pulled out from under it all sometimes.

I was afraid you might not. In fact I only used it because I am currently watching a marathon of NCIS which prompted me to the parallel.
To explain, that episode was about a pathological serial killer who was fixated on obtaining a 1950's (American TV lifestyle) bride and killing the woman if he couldn't bend her to his will. Other parallels you might or might not use to understand would be "Ozzie and Harriot," "Father Knows Best" or the like.

edit: also, if you like to pull the rugs out from under an established order, then real life Gor might not be for you. To do so in the privacy of you own home, by all means, delve to your hearts content, but if you seek to go out to communities of Gor and test the waters, my gut feeling is you will be scorned by showing a lack of respect by "rug pulling" as you say.

To summarize, some people are against pigeonhole mentality, in general. (To me) Gor is nothing but using a pigeonhole mentality and validating it as realistic. So while the modern world is all about people afraid of being put into pigeonholes or anything that resembles someone else pigeonholing them, a real-life lifestyle like Gor would be an anathema to them.

 

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[submit4pleasure]

I read all the Gor books when I was a sophomore in high school. It was the first BDSM stuff I had ever read. Made me very hot and horny! As I got older, my love affair with Gor fizzled. I thought they were too tame, needed more descriptions of actual sex acts. Also, I think the author comes across as angry at women.

I haven't ever found a series that grabbed my attention like that since. The Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice came close, but I'm not into males as subs.

 

[LWulf]

I am curious at choice of word 'all'. . Its sad to not feel curiosity, but it am grateful to learn from you nonetheless.

Tbc, for me there is no potential of of 'community play' or interaction RP or similar. . My marriage is monogamous and such arrangement is excluded from our marriage. . This is an agreement long withstanding and to be honoured . The only community I am involved In for exploration of any sort is this one on the shared account, and this is how it works for us. Any rug pulling is done at home, and is welcome to be done to me. . Thank you for making sure I do not offend any one with poor social practice though.

I am guessing I can understand 'father knows best' must interpret as. . Thank you for your opinion.

People who aren't afraid of pigeonhole mentality, aren't afraid of using blanket statements like "all." To such a person, you are either a devoutee or you are just curious, it's as simple as that.

I think you have a misunderstanding of what a real life community of Gor people might be like. Rape and wife swapping isn't at the heart of it (well, definitely not rape at any rate). Much like any other public bdsm setting, it's about couples being exhibitionist more than anything else.

 

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[Nightierub]

You will come across several who take Gor into reality and they might get pissy if you "break character" so there is a lot of roleplaying in it. It can be fun if not taken too seriously. The books aren't well written let's face it, Norman is no Robert E Howard, but I can enjoy them on a 70's pulpy level, but then again, I like movies like Ator the fighting eagle. But whatever the opinion is, you gotta admire him for bringing BDSM concepts subversively into a mainstream context.

 

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[FurryFury]

I just want to say that, The November 2014 BDSM BOTM, The Killer Wore Leather: A Mystery by Laura Antoniou amusingly showcased various types of BDSM folk including this particular thing, gorian only I think she called it something else. I loved the book. Being a convention gamer vet, it struck some good feelings in me. Whereas other books of hers have not been nearly as good for me.

 

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[desertslave]

I just want to say that, The November 2014 BDSM BOTM, The Killer Wore Leather: A Mystery by Laura Antoniou amusingly showcased various types of BDSM folk including this particular thing, gorian only I think she called it something else. I loved the book. Being a convention gamer vet, it struck some good feelings in me. Whereas other books of hers have not been nearly as good for me.

Laura is a fun person. I'm online friends with her on Facebook, and we've had some really interesting conversations.

 

[FurryFury]

It's easier in some ways. You know we are going to "meet" but you can do it in your own time.

Local, meeting in person book clubs that last are rare in my experience.

Is this a book club plug? .

I'm seriously thinking about it fwiw. . Its not the reading its the discussing, I've never been in a book club and an online one seems a tougher way to start. .

 

[FurryFury]

How fun!

Laura is a fun person. I'm online friends with her on Facebook, and we've had some really interesting conversations.

 

[Aphro]

Off topic: When I see the word "Gor" I think "Gorn" and this is the visual I get.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a0/StarTrek-Gorn.jpg

Random. Carry on.

 

[desertslave]

Off topic: When I see the word "Gor" I think "Gorn" and this is the visual I get.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a0/StarTrek-Gorn.jpg

Random. Carry on.

ROFL There's a part of my childhood I didn't expect to see again.