@ Widget (and everyone else too )

I think the labeling has for the most part been in jest or made as an aid for discussion purposes.

As I have said in some post in the past, BDSM is totally made up of shades of gray. That is why to me with the possible exceptions of the hardcore goreans and some old school BDSM types we really are all BDSM freestylers.

In my opinion we would be hard pressed to find very many people that practice the exact same style of BDSM as ourselves. We may show interests in the same types of things but how we apply them in our lifestyles is quite varied. (My guess, this one of the reasons why it is so difficult for Masters and slaves to find a real life match)

I have been labeled gorean just because I think the philosophy is valid and worth considering (and using for that matter). However, since we all label things it is natural to seek our own label before others do it for us. (Your a violinist - Not me, I play a fiddle)

It would not come as a surprise to me to find out that Wolfscout, His_blizzard and I have quite different ways of using the gorean philosophy in real life. Just as it would be for any other BDSM practitioner.

You did mention one thing I would like to see all of us discuss sometime down the thread and that is the concept of a "gift of submission".