Don't bother me, Im retired.
Wait, what?
You do realize your doing the community a major disservice, right?
If you're truely retired, then you have no right to complain about how Gor used to be. You have no right to wax poetic for how things where, and how things will never be that way again.
Do you know why?
You just became part of the problem.
I've come across a few 'retired Goreans' in the last few years.
In fact, when I first came to Gor, back in 2000(ish) I heard stories about how the 'old Goreans' did things online, and how they have 'left' cause of how things are 'now'.
My first Gorean chat? A spod, talker, Moo, or whatever you wish to call it. I learned about how some of the old style Goreans used to keep the standards up, how things used to be, how things became so bad after they disappeared.
Fast forward, IRC.
Again more of the same, with how I wanted to explore the depths of Gor, I found that I would be regaled more, and more with old stories of the 'Old Gorean' and how I would have fit so well in with them. 'Where are they now' I'd ask. The answer I always got was pretty much the same 'left Gor' 'retired' 'just stopped showing up'. These people, these pioneers who came 'before' while some passed away, the vast majority just got tired of trying, I am sure, in mentoring the 'new gorean'. To be fair, that can be a hard task, that can be a job one can experience heavy burn out from, especially seeing todays community.
I did luck out, a couple of the 'old Goreans' where still around. This presented a challenge to me, as the way they acted, the way they presented themselves, was drastically different from what seemed 'common'. Even to the point of almost a bad taste in my own mouth. Was it me? or them? and which 'them' ?
Fast Forward, Second Life.
I feel like Im living a bad reboot of a tv sitcom. Almost worst then trying to relive my childhood cartoons, where things ever this bad? Really, where they?
I see, almost on a daily basis, people give up on Gor, new individuals, as well as old, the old Goreans are especially high on the burn out list. I know, cause I've felt it myself. However the more we leave 'Gor' to the vast masses that come flooding in, without trying to mentor, to guide, to assist those who are coming in to explore **OUR WORLD** as it was created by JOHN NORMAN, the more we are to blame.
Yes, thats right, every OLD GOREAN who leaves Gor to its own devices, in online ROLEPLAY community, is to blame for the state of how things are. EVERY OLD GOREAN who says they are retired, and are there only to be in contact with old friends, each one hurts the current roleplay community a little bit more.
Sure, some of the old Goreans will argue 'Im not roleplay, Im lifestyle'. It doesnt matter in my view, whether your roleplay, or lifestyle, you have something to contribute. Every lifestyle is a roleplay in some fashion, and being a lifestyle Gorean, while you can-not practice everything practical wise, you do bring a new fresh perspective to those who are new to the idea.
I challenge you. It doesnt matter if your character 'dies' or just gets 'tired'. I caution you. If your not partaking in 'Gor' but still 'hanging around' or 'moving on' to 'greener pastures' then your doing nothing to improve the situation with Gor, your doing more harm then good.
Stick around, mentor, guide, show the young whipper snaps WHY Gor is sooooo Great, show them WHAT makes it sooo Great.
