roles

Black and White and Shades of Grey

What is the difference between "role playing" and "playing a role?" Where does one draw the line between what is acceptable as real and true online and what is not?

First, let's differentiate between the two. Role playing is something each and every person in Gor indulges in. Every serve, every dance, every movement or smile, each wink or grumble... they are all expressions of ourselves, but they are also the very essence of role playing. And let's face it, without them, we would have nothing more than discussion rooms. While discussion is wonderful, most of us enjoy capturing the essence of Gor as much as we can for the time we are here. This type of role playing allows us to reveal ourselves to each other through more than simply spoken words. It makes the experience we share more personal than it would be with only dialogue. Without it, I think this time we spend together would become very boring indeed.

Playing a role, however is something completely different. To me, this is when someone dons a mask. A "persona," if you will, which is entirely different from who they are offline. One who slips "into character," online and then slips it off like a cloak when they turn off the computer. One who does things here online that they would never consider doing offline, whether for moral reasons or fear of legal consequences. We see these people every day. The "slavers" who run around slapping collars on every girl who stumbles across their path. The warriors who swoop in swords swinging, eager to take the heads of everyone who looks at them askance. The slave who drops to her knees and begs a collar of anyone who will have her. The question one has to ask is, "would you do this in real life?"

To the slavers... would you approach women in real life and grab them? Slap a collar on them and drag them away? I don't know where you live, but where I live, that is called kidnapping.

To the warriors... would you truly lop the head from those who displease you? Answer every confrontation with violence? If so, I think you'd be doing most of your chatting from behind bars in most societies today.

To the slave who begs to be owned simply for the sake of that collar... Would you honestly entrust your body, mind and well-being to a man you do not know? Do anything he commanded? Suppose a man you've never met walks up to you in a bar and commands you to leave with him. Would you?

To the ones who slip on a different name and pop into another tavern to see who's there and what they are doing... Would you also put on a disguise and spy on your neighbors offline? Hide in the bathroom at work to eavesdrop on your co-workers? Set up microphones to record who says what to whom when you are not there?

If you would... then go ahead, do it here. If that is truly a reflection of the person you are... well, I would not wish to associate with you, and I would not want you for a neighbor, but if that is truly who you are, then so be it.

However... if you would not do these things offline, why do them here? That is playing a role. Being someone you are not. And when it is not stated openly that this is not who you truly are... it is a lie.

Now... that being said, does this mean that only those who are slaves offline and living at the feet of men can be slave here? No. This medium, with all of it's dangers is also the safest place for one to explore her submission before actually attempting it in r/l. Nor does it mean that every free person must have slaves at their feet in r/l or fully comprehend and live the principles of Gor before setting finger to keyboard here. There is no better place to learn. Then take what you have learned both here and in the books and apply that to your offline life. That is the purpose of this discovery.

Remember... the question is not, "DO you do this offline?"... it is "WOULD you do this offline?" There is a world of difference between the two. The question to ask yourself is "If given the opportunity, would I kneel at the feet of this man?" (or have this woman kneel at my feet?)... if the answer is a resounding "No way!"... then you are simply playing a role.

But... if the answer is "Yes, I would," ... then you are being true to your nature... you are just roleplaying...

And sometimes that is not such a bad thing.

I wish you well,

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