This month we visit with a man that many of you may be acquainted with through his prolific writings on the Gorean Public Board and other forums. Master Arthur is 43 years old and describes himself as coming from a working class Irish Catholic family, born in Brooklyn, New York and currently residing in a suburb outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. He stated, quite empathetically even before being asked, that he is not Mormon. As so many others, he is employed in the computer field, doing computer technical support, desktop publishing and research for a non-profit organization, generating reports and legislative analysis.

"I was the first male on either side of my family to graduate high school, and was raised with education as a strong value. I entered the navy at 17, and served as a marine mechanic and nuclear power plant operator. After the navy I worked as a maintenance supervisor at a factory, and studied manufacturing engineering for 18 months. While at college I took a psychology course, and loved it. I switched my major to psychology and got my BS. After a couple of years selling life insurance I went into psych/social work, and worked with developmentally disabled, chronically mentally ill and homeless adults. In 1992 I entered graduate school, a Ph.D. program in cultural anthropology. My emphasis was on cross-cultural psychology in the Middle East. While in grad school I met my wife; she belly danced as a hobby."

Considering some of his very forceful opinions on slavery, it came as no surprise that, while he is married, he has never owned a slave. "I don’t wish to risk any emotional attachment coming between my wife and I. I’ve written extensively on my decision to be monogamous on the GPB. I married for most of the wrong reasons when I was 21, and it ended in divorce after 3 years. I’ve been remarried about 3 years; we had been together for 4 years previously. I have 3 grown stepchildren and a grown niece I raised; I went from zero to "grandpa" when I said "I do" to my wife. I have 8 grandchildren."

The eldest of four children, he has two sisters and a brother. "My brother has read the novels, and identifies strongly with the precepts. He is career US Army, former Special Forces. My sisters and other female relatives tend to defer to me whenever we’re together; I have very few male relatives alive. My brother and I are best friends.

In talking about his family’s awareness of his lifestyle beliefs, he stated "I have no "lifestyle" so far as my family is concerned; this is just who I am. Since I don’t own a slave, am not into BDSM or wear leather and chains, there isn’t much for them to react to."

Now that statement took this one a bit back since she doesn’t ever equate the Gorean lifestyle with BDSM or wearing leather (though she’ll be the first to admit that she does wear chains when her Master finds it pleasing). A clarification was asked for and Master Arthur expounded a bit further.

"I don’t really distinguish between a Gorean lifestyle and just living as a normal man. I keep my word, I’m honest, I take responsibility for myself and those dependent upon me. Goreans that have adopted the cultural trappings of Gor may have "lifestyles" that distinguish them easily."

"For me, Norman’s espousing of what we call the Gorean philosophy is a codification and summary of things people formerly took for granted. Some people see me as old fashioned in my etiquette, my morality, my tendency to expect others to take care of themselves. But it’s not as if I stick out like a sore thumb."

"My brother is a career soldier, and has the same outlook on life; my sisters think this is the way men are supposed to be. My parents and grandparents are all dead. None of them, except my brother, know or knew the word Gor or Gorean."

Since his family seems to have a compatible outlook with other Goreans, we drifted to whether he thought that his home environment while growing up contributed.

"Self-sufficiency and responsibility were big issues in my family. While my grandfather was the undisputed patriarch in my family, I saw the women assume leadership roles after he and other men died. They never wanted to be in charge; I was told I was "the man of the house" when my father went to prison when I was eight years old. I saw my mother, an extremely strong-willed and independent woman, sigh with relief when she met my stepfather. Being the oldest child, the oldest grandchild, and first born all contributed to my growth as a Man."

"I’ve been a leader in most every group I’ve ever been a part of; starting with the Boy Scouts at age 12, where I served as a patrol leader. I tend to take for granted I’ll be the one sitting at the head of the table. While in grad school I regularly debated with a fellow grad student, an extremely bright woman and rabid feminist. One day I arrived late for a seminar, and she rose to surrender her seat to me."

"For a time I wondered if I was an atavistic relic, but never desired to change. After a time I rediscovered Norman’s novels (I’d read several of them twenty years ago) and things ‘clicked’."

From a personal viewpoint, perhaps the best thing about reading the Gor books is that it encourages us to explore our thoughts on a variety of levels and elucidate what we have felt, showing a commonality with others who feel as we do. "John Norman’s books have allowed me to clarify my thinking on many subjects, and find the connecting threads to seemingly disparate opinions and decisions. They’ve also allowed me to reject much of the cultural programming I’ve been subject to."

He seems very committed to his marital relationship and it was natural to delve into his wife’s beliefs and how he views her status and role in life. He does not have a Free Companion contract, having married before he discovered the Gorean philosophy, though he definitely considers her a Free Companion and not a slave.

"My wife shares the fundamental aspects, but differs on some of the details. The entire concept of slavery is something she has yet to understand, though she’s the first to say that consenting adults should be free to live however they wish if not harming others. I believe that we reaffirm and renew our commitment to each other on a regular basis in the normal course of being husband and wife."

It was difficult at first to get his views on slaves, other than he lists as undesirable traits in slaves: "Curiosity is unbecoming in a slave. It might get you beaten." Being naturally curious, as most writers are, it was with some trepidation that one listened to his answer to what his views would be on his daughter being a slave or a free woman: "The choice is hers; I feel no opinion about it. I would, however, kill anyone who mistreats her, man or woman."

It was perhaps just a niggling feeling, but it appeared as if this response might actually mask some other beliefs, so she continued to ask the following question: "Would this belief contradict a Gorean man’s right to treat his property as he chooses? Many things that can be done to a slave as punishment or to further her ability to focus on him could be perceived by others as mistreatment, i.e., withholding a meal, isolationism, being gagged or forced to not speak, whipped, chained, etc. ra` would also like clarification as to what you believe to be ’mistreatment’ in connection with slaves and with FW." This interviewer had to chuckle a bit because the question immediately after that referred to what you found undesirable in slaves and you replied ’curiosity....it might get you beaten.’"

"This is where I probably set in motion the circumstances that will see me labelled as non-Gorean. Privately, I’m uncomfortable with the concept of slavery all together. Consensual slavery is an oxymoron. The idea of choosing whose collar to accept says the situation isn’t slavery, and that the woman doesn’t really become property. It’s a social fiction that both parties choose to act by. Property, by its definition, is either "real" or "intellectual". A consensual slave is neither: you can’t buy or sell her, renting her out is either pandering or running a business like a maid or escort service. My car and my dog didn’t choose me, and have no choice should I decide to sell them. If I abandon my car on the side of the road, it’s still my car; and I’m responsible for the parking tickets and taxes until someone else comes into possession. As a society we’re uncomfortable with owners "abusing" animals; writing laws that distinguish mercy killing of a sick dog from a wanton act of destruction require the kind of linguistic gymnastics for which we have lawyers."

"Without legal and societal supports, what lifestylers are practicing isn’t "slavery" at all - the woman is free to get up and walk out any time she wants, and the man can be prosecuted if he harms her, WITHOUT her testimony or her desire for any prosecution. And I don’t want to see laws changed to again make slavery legal."

" There are bdsm’ers and Gorean wannabees that would be thrilled to see legal slavery return. Many of these men would also want legal the right to forcibly collar a woman against her will, the right to sell her, the right to rape, maim or kill their property."

"I don’t believe Norman wants slavery, or thinks it’s such a great idea. He used it as a literary device to show us where we went wrong. I’ve come to the conclusion that a woman wants to know her man could throw her over his shoulder and carry her off, could rape her, could be dangerous, is capable of violence; it makes her feel desired and protected, makes her feel like a woman. Should a man actually do these things, he’s an uncontrolled animal and not a desirable mate. The reality of slavery is an evil and inhuman institution; Heinlein calls slave owners (the legally or forcibly supported kind) sub-humans with no inner self respect, and I agree."

"Mind you, as practiced by MOST Goreans, what they call slavery is fine by me; I have no objection to anything that goes on between consenting adults. Key word consenting. S/m/B/d between consenting adults falls into this category as well, but if a girl doesn’t want to be gagged, fasted, whipped, chained or otherwise "disciplined" then it’s abuse as far as I’m concerned. If my wife does something I find displeasing, which she works hard to avoid, a lifted eyebrow or a scowl is more than enough "discipline" to correct the situation. Physical discipline I reserve for animals and young children, with whom it’s not possible to reason."

"The niece I raised called the cops when a former boyfriend hit her, my daughter would castrate her fiancé if he tried to gag her without her explicit consent. It would take an interesting and eloquent argument for my daughter to convince me she "wanted" to be disciplined."

Without permission to debate, the most pleasing behavior for this slave was to move on to other topics since her Owner would take a dim view of his property being anything less than pleasing to any man.

In the past few weeks there has been several threads on boards pertaining to free women and behavior.  He was asked to comment on what he believed to be free women behavior and deportment characteristics versus what he believed to be the behavior and deportment of slaves. "I am uncomfortable with limiting women to roles of slave and Free. ‘Uncollared’ slave is as much an oxymoron as consensual slave. Norman said that married women on Earth were more free than Gorean slaves, yet less Free than Gorean FW. Levels of respect and submission exist along continuums. On the planet Gor the woman didn’t choose, the men around her did; yet, the Gorean community requires a woman to choose her own status."

"That being the case, the behavior expected of slaves is what psychologists refer to as "infantilization" - the slave woman is expected to act childlike. She speaks when spoken to, apologizes if she’s the least bit displeasing, offers her opinion only when it’s solicited, is obsequious and servile, she must ask to "leave the table", raise her hand to use the bathroom. A slave needs permission to eat when she’s hungry and drink when she’s thirsty. She must almost always put the needs of the Free above her own; and is subject to her owners discipline with or without a reason. The FW is allowed to act like an adult, with the understanding that if she displeases the male adults around her in any way, she must apologize and change her behavior, be a slave, or be banished."

Still on the topic of free women and recent board threads, he was asked whether he believed that a woman could be a free woman in public to the Gorean community at large and yet a slave within a given community. His answer was swift: "With such obvious observed differences in the expected behaviors of slave and Free Women, to act completely differently in similar surroundings is a form of deception."

Perhaps some of what he sees as infantilization behavior stems directly from having no contact with slaves or other Goreans in the real world. Third speech is common in everyday life in some households and not in others, depending greatly one thinks on the owner’s preference and may vary even then from time to time in accordance to how the owner may choose to impress slavery upon a girl. There are three to four slaves within 100 miles of him that he corresponds with via email; however, he has yet to meet any men who would identify themselves as Gorean. When asked if he had met any of the slaves in real life yet, he stated that he had not due to "Distance. Both I and they are married. No pressing need." Asked to elaborate further, he continued:

"Goreans are of course rare everywhere, but seem particularly scarce on the ground here in Utah. I do have a great many local friends with world views I find compatible with Gorean philosophy, particularly among Freemasons. I’ve not had much interest in meeting slaves, since I don’t seek their service; and my wife, while understanding and agreeing with much of the philosophy, feels she might be emotionally threatened were I to develop a close relationship with a slave. Since my marriage began with a promise of monogamy, and since I care for her feelings, I avoid any potential difficulties."

Of particular importance given the rise of quite a few off-line meetings, perhaps stirred to some extent by the open talking about such meetings by the men of S&S and of StormHaven, as well as other groups. Such meetings come with their own inherent set of benefits and problems. With a bit of begging, he elucidated his views on the importance of real life meetings and whether these meetings should remain closed to those outside of the community (similar to his Free Masons) and rules governing the meetings.

" Association with others who have similar standards and ideals is an important means of helping us stay true to those standards. I can’t see why not [Goreans who do not share the same Home Stone should not meet together]. On Gor every family had it’s own Home Stone, every village, every city. If we refuse to associate with those of other Home Stones, we have no civilization. Different families form clans, the clans and castes form cities, the Sardar Fairs bring together those of different cities."

"As far as disadvantages, we might be forced to look at things from another’s point of view, learn to compromise, discover the art of politics; which comes from the Greek for how to get along in a city. Terrible."

Asked if there should be set rules in place to govern such gatherings (i.e., to safeguard the group from possible prosecution by disgruntled persons), he replied "Prosecution for talking, for sharing ideas, for breaking bread together? Of course not. Prosecution for "disciplining" the slave of another, or disciplining an "uncollared" slave? You bet your ass."That brought a chuckle since it would not be her ass that she would be betting but property belonging to her Owner and betting was definitely not on her list of permitted activities, so she thanked him and moved on to whether or not the setting of such rules mean that the group functioned less naturally and was, therefore, ’less Gorean’ in behavior.

" There is nothing inherently natural about verbally abusing someone, gagging someone, chaining them or hitting them. There is nothing "Gorean" about anti-social behavior."

Asked if he felt that he had paid a price for being Gorean, he firmly stated that he did not and explained. "Everyone occasionally pays a price for integrity and honesty, in material things perhaps. But as for being Gorean specifically, I don’t feel I’ve paid any additional price, no."

He absolutely does not envision his life as being any different if he had never heard of the Gorean lifestyle. However, being Gorean can be difficult: "Being a responsible adult with integrity, living by the truth, remembering values in time of temptation - these are occasionally not easy, certainly."

It was time to take a break from intense discussions and this one was curious as to what he did for fun.

"I’m extremely active as a Freemason, belonging to four affiliate organizations besides my Masonic Lodge; last year I served as the Worshipful Master, the elected CEO of my Lodge. My wife and I have season tickets to the opera; we dine out frequently, enjoy movies and socializing with friends. It’s not unusual for us to be out 5-6 nights a week."

"I also read extensively: science fiction and fantasy, naval historical fiction, horror, history and philosophy. I enjoy chess, cards and mah jongg, parlor games such as murder mysteries and table games with friends."

"I’m active in my church as a lay lector (reader). While not dogmatic, I consider myself religious."

He’d like to travel to "Europe, especially Italy. I want to see Florence, Rome and Venice for their art and architecture. I’ve been to Scotland and throughout North America, and have visited Hawaii." Since this one lives in England now with her Owner, she perked her ears at the thought of warm Hawaii; although both are islands, England tends to have a few days of summer where the temperatures are in the 80’s or 90’s and the rest of summer is in the 70’s, though some of the coastline is as spectacular as the Hawaiian coasts.

On the subject of whether someone can ‘learn’ to be Gorean and any advice that he would give someone asking about the lifestyle, he stated:

"Read the novels; suffer through some of the writing if need be. ;) There are a few web sites I’d recommend they check out; I’m working on trying to explain the ideas in a succinct and clear manner. My postings online reflect that effort."

"I believe you can learn just about anything as a child. Republicans tend to raise little Republicans, Catholics tend to raise Catholics. Early upbringing has an obvious effect on our adult values. After childhood though, fundamental change is extremely difficult at best."

This one has a theory that Goreans tend to be higher educated than the average person. Knowing from his previous posts that he is degreed, she broached the subject with him.

"I have a BS in psychology, 40 graduate hours in Cultural Anthropology. I have just finished the requirements for my Master’s in Anthropology. Along the way the US navy trained me as a mechanic and nuclear power plant operator (I was a submariner), and I studied Manufacturing technology and Mechanical Engineering for 1-1/2 years in college, with a minor in mathematics. Fairly well rounded, I hope."

"It seems to me that the majority of Goreans I’ve been fortunate enough to meet on-line have been well educated; introspection is often associated with both intellect and education, and being Gorean definitely requires introspection in my opinion."

He sees "The ‘Ten commandments of Gor’ that I recently posted on the GPB might have been phrased differently in places had I never discovered the Gorean community, but otherwise I see myself as having always tried to live by those precepts." as being the fundamental characteristics of his life and self that makes him Gorean. [Note: The ‘Ten Commandments of Gor’ as seen by this month’s subject appears at the end of this interview.]

This ground seemed to be relatively innocuous so one asked as to how he views himself and what he feels it is important that others know about him.

"[I see my responsibility to the Gorean community, both on-line and off-line as continuing] to contribute towards intelligent discussion, and use my ability to clarify and codify for people’s benefit."

"I have become a leader in many organizations I’ve belonged to; I tend to be organized, have some small knack for organizing others, and apparently possess some leadership qualities. As far as the Gorean community, I have no RL contact; as far as on line, some of my writing is met with a certain amount of approval. I don’t think that constitutes leadership, as such."

"If I give you my word, you can count on it."

His greatest assets and faults: "The ability to communicate and elucidate [are the greatest assets]. Mine aren’t faults, they’re character traits. I am sometimes guilty of initially letting my actions be dictated by emotion rather than intellect. Later I sometimes find my emotional reaction was my best possible reaction. " ’Tis a puzzlement."

As many of you may know, history plays an important role in this one’s life since she is ‘relearning’ history, having only learned history from the US viewpoint prior to coming to England. We talked about the one event that he believed to have shaped modern history more than any other. "Other than the inventions of writing and the printing press? The ability to record thoughts and events, to preserve knowledge across generations without a need to find a person who could learn and use hard won knowledge. Getting knowledge out of the hands of an educated elite and into the hands of everyone."

We were drawing to a close and this one, curious as always wanted to know what he felt it was important that others know about him.

"Like a few other men I know of, I tend to be very polite to slaves; to treat people as I wish to be treated. It takes no virtue nor strength to mistreat those who can’t answer or strike back. There are more than sufficient ways for the natural inequalities between men, and differences between women and men, then for me to need or try to constantly point them out. I suppose among those who are called Gorean I tend to be a bit leftist; funny, because I’m a conservative Libertarian and considered quite conservative outside of this community.

"The labels we give ourselves influence how others see us. If I tell someone I’m old fashioned, that I’m a Libertarian, that I’m conservative, that I’ve read and value Nietzche & John Norman & Heinlein, that I’m a Freemason - I’ve given them the same information as telling them I’m Gorean. For these reasons and others, I don’t call myself Gorean. Some may call this semantics, but semantics are all we have; the words we use to describe things determine our thinking. People with two different languages don’t simply have different labels for the same things, they have two different world views."

He closed with his favorite ‘non-John Norman’ quote:

"‘A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." - Robert Anton Heinlein

"I’m currently working on hog butchering and invasion planning, the rest have come along nicely."

Until next month or whenever there are other brave souls willing to reveal their inner selves to the scrutiny of the Gorean community,

sierra`, property of Jon

The Ten Commandments of Gor

As viewed by Arthur

Tal all,

What is it to be "Gorean", and who decides? Each can only decide for himself; consensus will emerge. Below is my definition of what it means to be Gorean - subject to change without notice.

The Ten Commandments of Gor.

1. The world is what it is, not what we would have it be.

   "Should have", "would have" and "could have" are useless phrases. What IS? Always begin with an honest appraisal of what is, not how or what you would like things to be. True change isn’t possible unless you know where you begin from. You CAN change the world, but know what it is you’re changing.

2. To thine own self be true.

   Take time to discover your own true nature, who and what you are, and try to become the best "you" possible. If your nature is that of a slave, become beautiful and perfectly obedient. If your nature is that of a Master, master yourself and then learn to master others. If your nature is to follow, become a loyal and trusted follower. If your nature is to lead, become worthy of leading and inspire the best in those who follow you. Do not ignore your natural or instinctual nature, but understand and control it, rather than letting it control you. "The unexamined life is not worth living."

3. Practice honesty and integrity in everything you do.

   Let your word be your bond. Give your trust to few, but let that trust be absolute. Have a code of conduct, and stick to it. Be true to those you call friend, for there is no honor without loyalty.

4. Be one with your world and environment.

   This includes knowing and understanding your surroundings, understanding its natural ebb and flow. Maintain your environment, and let all your actions be in harmony with it. Know your place in the scheme of things, nature and society, and act accordingly.

5. Give honor where honor is due.

   Recognize worth in others and respect that worth. If anyone acts with honor and in accord with their nature and station, give them the respect you yourself would expect in that station. If a woman is by nature free, and acts accordingly, honor her as a Free Woman. If a man is by nature a Master, but acts the part of a liar or servant, give him no respect. If a woman is by nature a slave, recognize the freedoms and limitations that places upon her.

6. Whatsoever you do, do it fully and with your heart.

   If any act is worth doing, it is worth doing well. Don’t be satisfied with "good enough", strive for perfection. Whether you are working in wood or stone, writing a poem or software program, cooking a meal, planning a battle or designing a cathedral - take pride in your product and make it the very best you can.

7. Live each day as if it will be your last.

   Let no needful thing go undone. Make plans for the future, but with the assumption you might not be there. Love fully, mourn freely, celebrate openly and fight valiantly. Live without regrets.

8. Accept responsibility for yourself, your actions, and those things dependent upon you.

   Defend yourself, your rights as you see them, those dependent upon you and your property. Blame none for the consequences of your own actions, or the vagaries of fate, except yourself. Expect no one else to defend or provide for you without a prior arrangement. Understand that the world isn’t fair, nor does it owe you anything. Take charge of your own destiny.

9. Respect in their places wisdom, strength and beauty.

   Give any one or thing that exemplifies any of these three their due. Recognize and praise these things wherever they are found, in proportion to their worth. It takes wisdom to ordain, strength to perform, and beauty to adorn all great and important undertakings.

10. Find some work or purpose and excel at it.

    Discover those things in you that are unique and valuable, and glory in them. He is most blessed that loves his work, that spends his days doing what gives him joy.

I can hear angry hornets buzzing all ready. I’m not totally satisfied with this list myself; it’s too wordy, not nearly "elegant" enough. But I somehow doubt the original ten commandments, as we eventually received them, were a first draft.

I wish you well,

Arthur

Until next month, wishing you all well,

sierra`, property of Jon