Gorean
Philosophy
Gor is the Counter-earth planet created by the author John Norman in a series of 25 novels written in the late 1960s and 70s. The series describes the adventures of Tarl Cabot, a young Earthman, who is transported to Gor (a planet directly opposite Earth on the other side of our Sun) and must quickly accustom himself to the ways of this world, including the Caste system which exalts some as Priest-Kings or Warriors, and brands others as slaves. Since Tarl Cabot was raised on Earth, he constantly compares Earth's standards of ethical behavior to that on Gor.At the heart of the novels lies the root of Gorean culture: a code of conduct and law that fosters adult consent in the realm of dominant/submissive relationships. On Gor, a woman may submit to a man, wrists crossed, knowing he may then do as he pleases. But he is bound by his own codes of conduct: if he accepts her submission he accepts the responsibility for protecting her, fighting for her if necessary. She chooses to submit - he chooses whether to accept. Norman continually creates situations, in which characters choose their roles, walking the fine line of the ethics of consentuality. We, as readers, can share this imagination, this fantasy world where being Master and slave is honorable. The Gorean slave (whether born and bred, captured from rival tribes, or imported from Earth) may be feisty and willful, but also loyal and devoted, in need of correction and her Master's attention, but she takes pride in serving her Master well.
IRC Gor borrows this code, and elements of this imaginary planet, and offers chatters an opportunity to live the life of Gor and its culture, simply by adapting one's mind (and heart) to the strictures of the alternate society. In a few chat channels, the activities are not a game but rather an atmosphere in which living by the Gorean codes is now possible for all of us, not just Tarl Cabot.
The following links will provide you with some basic educational information that will ease your entrance into and possible success in the IRC Gorean environment. Naturally, the best education is reading the entire series of the books, available primarily in used bookstores, although the first four volumes have recently been reprinted. There is really no substitute we can offer to simply reading the novels, at least the first four as a primer, but the data you find throughout this website will educate you in the differences between the books and IRC Gor (largely regarding adaptations necessarily developed by the genre). Good luck, and welcome to our world: Ta Sardar Gor!
Biographical Information: John Norman
He stopped writing when the blacklisting became clear. He should have continued to write for the "trunk," as trunks, when the political winds shift, might be opened.
Masquerade Books, Inc. is currently re-issuing several books in the Gorean series. Vision Entertainment, a Division of the Med Systems Company, plans on producing a graphic version of the 22nd book in the Gorean series, dancer of Gor. So John Norman is back in business, for better or for worse, depending on one's views of censorship.
John Norman is presumably best known for the twenty-five volumes of the Gorean series. He has had several millions of books to print and has been published in several languages. Two feature-length motion pictures have been based on his work. His work is regarded as controversial. He is still being published abroad.
Reprinted from published information re: the Icon Conference.