The idea
that BDSM and Gor can intertwine is one I’ve gone into in the past. I’m not
going to rehash the same ol’ Fetlife rants and counter-rants. I’m absent from
the childishness for a reason – it gets boringly repetitive. Instead I’m going
to try to delve into WHY there is even this argument in the first place. Is
there any basis for BDSM ‘play’ to mingle with Gorean ‘reality’?
Yes, is
the simple answer. I believe there is.
There are
MANY implements of discipline and control used on Gor that are considered toys.
All of these can be used in both BDSM and Gorean settings. Although MANY of
these have psychologically different effects on a Gorean slave than a BDSM
slave.
Rings –
Used to secure a slave, sometimes outside (buildings, shops, markets),
sometimes inside (on the end of beds, couches).
Ankle
Rack– BDSM calls it ‘spreader bars,’ as do the Red Savages of Gor.
Slave
sack/Slave hood – BDSM calls it ‘sensory deprivation’ and it can be just the
head for a ‘hood’ or an entire body experience.
Collars/Bracelets
or wrist cuffs/anklets or ankle cuffs – BDSM have an entire RAINBOW of
different collar types, as Goreans have theirs.
The Iron
belt – a BDSM ‘chastity belt’?
Binding
fibre/Rope – Kind of self explanatory as to how this works in both?
Goad – The
slave goad mentioned briefly in the books sounds remarkably like a
portable/self charging violet wand...
Whips –
Self explanatory.
Chains –
Self explanatory.
I could go
on, but the point of this post isn’t to create a neverending list.
So, then
there are the venues of both ‘lifestyle choices’. The Paga taverns and Alcoves
for ‘ravishing’ a slave – are they really any different to Swingers clubs? Many
men can have the same woman.. I hear some people say “But the difference is
that money doesn’t change hands.” ..What do you think the entrance fee is for?
Often, don’t women get in for free but men have to pay the house? (but, of
course, the reverse is true - in private, or more exclusive Gorean banquets the
slaves are used freely, without fee changing hands).
What about
the comparison to a normal pub? How many women go out on a Friday or Saturday
night looking for a one night stand? For a drink or two, they’ll be round the
back of the carpark, going at it like the Energiser Bunny! Before anyone gets
offended – not all women are like this, obviously, but the fact that some can
be bought for less than a fiver in a cheap pub chain can’t be ignored. These
aren’t the type of women you’d want to take home to your mother – but I don’t
remember every man entering a Paga Tavern looking for a lifelong Free
Companion! A nights ‘jolly’ was all that was expected.
And I
haven’t even touched on the ‘dungeon’ similarities!
So yes, I
suppose given the overwhelming evidence.. There is a basis for the argument of
BDSM-Gor. The problem, however, is that the books are both very clear and very
ambiguous. The main BDSM dispute coming from: Sadism is basically unknown on
Gor. It is seen as a disease for a man (or woman) to be sadistic.
HOWEVER
It is
often noted that a Master or Mistress may punish for no reason, or simply
because the slave is a slave. Is that not indulging in the sadistic whims of
the dominant? I assume, and it is an assumption, that no freeperson would
randomly beat a slave if they despised such things. Why hit, when a) there is
no reason, and b) no enjoyment? But then, the slave often commented, in words
or in thought, that she wishes to feel the whip, so she knows herself subject
to it. She WANTS to feel the painful bite of the switch, or the heavy lash of
the five bladed whip. Why? Because she LIKES to know her owner can cause pain
her, if he wishes. It makes her more HIS by being subject to HIS whip. She
doesn’t have to like the kiss of the whip, but she likes the manifestation of
the dominant and submissive roles. Much like a masochist doesn’t HAVE to LIKE
the feeling of the lash. Like most things in life, people get different things
out of it. Personally, my BDSM experiences weren’t about enjoying pain – but
rather being subject to someone elses enjoyment... Even if that caused me pain.
How is
that different from BDSM sadists and masochists? Can we REALLY defend our
views, when they are not black and white, even in John Normans words?
Now, I
still don’t believe that needles, wax, cutting, violet wands or pet play are
Gorean traits. But, I can see the argument for at least some of them – although
I would argue that one is used PURELY for discipline and for maintaining
control, while the other CAN be more relaxed and ‘enjoyable’ (If that is the
right word?) for both sides.
Why not
just agree to disagree? If you don’t like what someone else is doing there is a
simple solution – don’t be around them. There are over seven billion people in
the world – why let one persons interpretation and preferences cause ripples in
your ideal pool? There is no harm in them being wrong!
I wish you
well,
Kami.