Because they care
When strong leaders leave online Gor, those of us left behind can't help feeling a sense of abandonment. We can't help feeling angry and a slight sense of betrayal as we watch them walk away, leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves. I know I felt those things when I was told that Bear had given up his ISP and gone offline. I watched as Marcus withdrew from the GPB. In my time here in Yahoo, I watched as Torjarl, Xolton, AnHonestMan and Raven left while we who were left attempted to pick up the pieces of what was left of Yahoo Gor.
We've all said, "No one ever truly leaves online Gor... They always come back." It is true. Each of these men returned. What I have come to understand is that the reason they return is the very same thing that caused them to leave.
Because they care.
They did not leave because they were quitting. They did not leave because they were sick of Gor. They did not leave because they no longer cared.
They left because they DO care.
They care about Gor. They care passionately and defend without compromise those ideals and truths which are contained within the work of John Norman. They care that those truths are not distorted and mutated into some Dungeons and Dragons game. They care that people see the same truths that they see. They care that here, in this virtual Gor that they have created, people hold fast to those truths. They care that men learn what it is to truly be men and stand up to take their rightful place in the natural order and be the kind of men that women beg to kneel before. They care that those women who come here to experience slavery do so in the truest way possible in this medium.
These men, Brackus, Justin, Karum, Cabot, Damian, Xolton and Raven (I'm sure there are a few more), have been called "hard-ass, tyrant and bully," by most women in Gor. Myself included. They are not. They are strong, unyeilding, uncompromising men of Gor. Listen to them. Don't argue and whine... listen to what they have to say.
I often tell slaves that when a free person corrects them, it is not meant to demean or insult, but it is a gift of their time and attention. Thank them for it. Well, that is true of free men and women who are new to Gor as well
When one of these men corrects you, or takes the time to speak to you, appreciate it as the precious gift it is. And thank them.
They do it because they care.
Each of these men has taught me of Gor. Some more gently than others, but all valuable lessons. The debt I owe them is immeasurable.
To each of them... Thank you for caring.
Last night, fed up with the training collars, white Ka-la-na, lumpy paga, precious princess slaves and the masters who coddle them, I left feeling angry and discouraged and frustrated. A dear friend tried to speak to me, but I was in no mood to listen. I found myself saying, "I don't care anymore."
Then I stopped and went offline to think. Because I knew it was not true. I fight and I will continue to fight because I DO care. I correct and guide and teach and mete out discipline when I deem it necessary for precisely that reason.
Because I care. I care deeply and passionately that those who truly wish to learn are given the opportunity to do so. That they learn the truth, not someone's made up version of "Gorlite."
And I do it because each time I do, each time I pass on those truths, I pay tribute to those who taught them to me.
They taught me to care.... that is why I stay.
I wish you well,
Dangrus