There has been discussions that I have seen and followed, regarding the standards which have been set within the community, and how setting lofty goals which make things more difficult to attain, discourage and limit the growth of the community. Not only limit, but also, perchance, to reduce any growth to nearly nothing, and, in effect, causing our community, in the long run, to decay.

The "kinder, gentler" Gor.

Suppose, as one person has stated, we did "level the playing field", and, in doing so, allow for more growth of the community - basically allowing anyone who wanted to call themselves such, "Gorean". To wit, this being a community effort, would make those who have been along this path more than just guides, but also, to a greater extent, someone who would end up having to carry the load of those others who would not have "made the grade" otherwise. In effect, this would lessen that which we have attained; the struggle, within ourselves, and amongst those of the community, to learn, grow, and become Gorean.

Should the playing field be made more even? There is a reason everyone has to go through school, learn a trade, and become a productive member of their society. It is called "Life". It is being able to make your mark in this world, no matter how small you may think it is, and have it count for something in the future. For example:

(1) There is a process in the United States Navy Submarine Service, whereby every man who sets foot on a boat must go through a process of qualifications. This is to prove not only his proficiency at his primary job, but also to prove his capability of learning what makes a submarine work, and how to fix something if it breaks. Specifically, should there be a fire, or flooding, or other catastrophic event, and this person is the closest, the first one at the scene, and has to react, because another 150-plus men’s lives are suddenly thrust in his hands. If one person, supposedly dependable, suddenly freezes, it could mean disaster for everyone on board. If the qualification standards are suddenly lowered, there runs a large risk to all the men aboard at some time in the future. This is unacceptable in any man’s eyes who has seen what a stupid mistake can cost a ship... or even an unforseen event. I have earned the right to wear the fish; I would look down upon someone who has not seen the rigors I have, that wears this insignia.

(2) Everyone knows what a computer is. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading my words posted here, chatting with me in the online venues...and most people know what Windows is. The most used operating system out there. However, there are other systems, some of which are recently coming to light in the mainstream. One such is Linux, which I have struggled with to learn over the past few years. There is a reason it has been a difficult road - it is a much more versatile environment, and also more critical, than the standard Windows system. The main reason for this is security; there are things that I can do on my Linux system when logged as the system administrator (called "root") and, with one erroneous keystroke, crash my entire system. However, as a standard user on the same system, I cannot easily gain access to those areas, and thus my core system (the kernel) is safe. I have learned more by teaching myself, reading the books about various systems, programs, and languages, than I could have if I just asked someone else how to do something. I *know* what my system can do; I know how the webserver is set up, and what access is allowed from outside my machine.

There is a reason we go through the trials we face. It is by these things that we learn, and grow, and become stronger in ourselves, and, ultimately, our community. To "level the playing field" can only mean to make things easier for everyone else, which would lessen the value of what we have struggled to become. This would, in essense, reduce the strength that one has in declaring "I am Gorean" - and being accepted as one by the community.

This does not mean that things should be made any harder, though; the concerns of making things too difficult -- being cruel just for cruelty’s sake -- can hurt those who strive to learn, grow, and join the community. There must be a balance; not to the point of making our playing field "level", but rather, ensuring that the standards we have struggled to achieve are not lessened just to bring more people into our community. I believe that this balance, and these standards, have been forged over the last four years, and we, as a community, will strive to keep them honed.

From where I stand, amongst the men I call friend, and with the few I can call Brother, there is no need to "level the playing field". For those who wish to join us, they only need to strive hard enough to prove they deserve to be on the playground with us. It will not be denied to someone who proves they have the integrity, the respect, and the Honour to be called one of us...who shows they understand what the Viktel Aria is, and perhaps been through their own Vosk Delta, on the way to becoming Gorean.

I wish you well,
Greylin `//olffe