Official: What human-played faction(s) should participate?

Maniac · April 20, 2003, 13:06

Unless we'll organize another official poll besides the already existing SMAC/SMAX Survey, we'll probably play SMAX. Nevertheless I'll ask you two questions, just in case.

1) If we'll play plain SMAC, what faction do you want to play as? ONE VOTE!!!

2) If we'll play with the expansion pack Alien Crossfire, what faction do you want to be citizen of? Unlike in TKG's poll, ONE VOTE here too.

I hope you'll all vote having RPG reasons in mind, and not what you think is the best faction to play with gamewise.

Method · April 20, 2003, 13:21

SMAC: University. then i could build all the damn genejack factories i wanted!

SMAX: CyCon. not that i particularly enjoy playing the faction, it'd just be so cool

Drogue · April 20, 2003, 13:22

SMAC: Voted for the Gaians. but might possibly go with Hive/Spartans if I feel like RPing and evil person for this one.

SMAX: Conciousness, I fancy going for an AI, utilitarian style, but might just stick with one of the ones I mentioned for SMAC.

Drogue · April 20, 2003, 13:23

All the 1st 3 for CyCon

Didn't expect that! Nice though

Static Universe · April 20, 2003, 13:30

If SMAc is played, I'm completely indifferent to which faction I happen to be in. If SMACX, my first preference is Pirates, then anything else.

Maniac · April 20, 2003, 13:33

Hehe. As you may have guessed, I voted for the Consciousness as well if we're playing SMAX.
In the case of plain SMAC it's much harder, as I don't really agree with any of the ideologies. Being a Keynesian, I don't like the extremes of Morganite laissez-faire or Hivean communism. Not being a fundamentalist, I couldn't survive in a faction worshipping God (believers), Planet (Gaia) or Science (UoP). Nor do I like the agressive Spartans or the naive idealist Peacekeepers. This doesn't leave much choice...

After some consideration I have chosen the Hive. I can't identify with their economic policy of course, but RPG-wise it might be interesting if the Hive follows Chinese, or broader: Eastern, philosophy.

Drogue · April 20, 2003, 14:20

An actual Keynesian

I like Keynes, he was a great economist, but some of what he thought has now been superseded. I see your problem, however, do the UoP really worship science? I wouldn't use that terminology personally. I chose based on who I want to play in the next DG, since I always prefer to play something when RPing, rather than actually be myself. I can't decide between either being the Drogue you all know and going Green, or turning into an evil person and going Hive, or going all militaristic and going Spartans. However, in SMAX, I will be the Conciousness

Hell, my NS nation is ruled by Akizeta

Maniac · April 20, 2003, 15:17

Well I don't know that much about Keynes (yet).

I just agree with the few things I know of him. For instance, I agree with strong government intervention and investment in times of economic depression, even going in the red with your budget, while doing the opposite in times of economic high conjuncture (sp?). It fits in my personal ideology of a strong social-democratic meritocratic government in a mostly free market system.

Hercules · April 20, 2003, 15:45

Voted Gaians in Smac

and voted Data Angels in SMAX. Mostly for the challenge. I also like the pirates.

Hercules · April 20, 2003, 15:54

But I am not sure this is the way to determine the human factions. I think people should register their interest in factions. Then we'd see the number of players possible for each.

Drogue · April 20, 2003, 16:16

I think that is what we are doing. Declaring our interest, and then whichever has the most (say the most 4 or 5) we use.

AdamTG02 · April 20, 2003, 17:55

SMAC: University, because they're the supreme researchers

SMAX: Data Angels, because they're the most thematically interesting faction in either 7-faction set

Frankychan · April 21, 2003, 01:36

Voted for SMAC: Hive.

Don't have SMAX.

Archaic · April 21, 2003, 02:10

UoP for both

Originally posted by Maniac
Being a Keynesian, I don't like the extremes of Morganite laissez-faire or Hivean communism.

How much do you know about Hayek?

Drogue · April 21, 2003, 10:46

Originally posted by Maniac
For instance, I agree with strong government intervention and investment in times of economic depression, even going in the red with your budget, while doing the opposite in times of economic high conjuncture (sp?).

I used to agree with that, however, my Econ teacher is trying to convince me that actually trying to increase aggregate demand to fight of recession is no where near as effective and trying to affect aggregate supply. Although he may just be being a 'supply sider'. I will have to do soem research on it, but my gut feel was to agree.

Originally posted by Maniac
It fits in my personal ideology of a strong social-democratic meritocratic government in a mostly free market system.

Exactly my thinking too. However I might be less inclined to go for the completely democratic bit, I feel it tends to mean that those that rule spend half their time trying to stay ruler, and only half their time actually doing their job.

Maniac · April 21, 2003, 11:14

How much do you know about Hayek?

Salma Hayek?

Well seriously, not that much, but I didn't like the few things I read about him.

my Econ teacher is trying to convince me that actually trying to increase aggregate demand to fight of recession is no where near as effective and trying to affect aggregate supply.

I won't pretend I understand what you're saying.

I completely understand a text in Dutch about eg the basic Keynes ideas, but when I read English terms which are taught to economy students, I have to pass.

However I might be less inclined to go for the completely democratic bit

Well whenever I write "social-democratic" in a non-Dutch forum, I actually mean "socialist". It's just that "socialist" has a different meaning in many parts of the world than in Western Europe, so I try to avoid that word.

I feel it tends to mean that those that rule spend half their time trying to stay ruler, and only half their time actually doing their job.

I agree with that sentiment. I just wished I knew a better system than the current one.

Drogue · April 21, 2003, 14:04

Originally posted by Maniac
I won't pretend I understand what you're saying.

I completely understand a text in Dutch about eg the basic Keynes ideas, but when I read English terms which are taught to economy students, I have to pass.

Aggregate Demand just means the total demand in the economy, the total amount of money that people want to spend, likewise with Aggregate Supply. Sorry, I forget many here are non-native English speakers.

Originally posted by Maniac
I agree with that sentiment. I just wished I knew a better system than the current one.

It seems we agree entirely on that.

On Nation States I've tried the idea of the ruler being elected for life, unless at least 2/3 the serving MPs sign a partition of no-confidence (the MPs being elected). I like it, although it is far from perfect.

I don't even know who Hayek is

But then I'm not at Uni yet, so I don't really need to yet.

Jamski · April 24, 2003, 04:21

Go HIVE! In SMAC or SMAX we have to have a Hive faction. Ideally in a team game we should have Morgan, Deirdre, Yang and Zak - same if we play SMAX. For me these 4 are the "classic" factions.

-Jam

Archaic · April 24, 2003, 05:28

Originally posted by Maniac
Well seriously, not that much, but I didn't like the few things I read about him.

And what have you heard about him? He's pretty misunderstood.

FlameFlash · April 24, 2003, 09:56

Who is this Hayek?

Maniac · April 24, 2003, 15:03

Based on the results of this poll, and presuming we play SMAX, is it ok if I start a new one-vote poll with the eight factions with three votes or more? That would be: UoP, Morgan, Gaia, Hive, PKs, Angels, Pirates, Consciousness. The first four or so would be the human factions participating. After that we could post another three-vote poll for the AI factions, if we play with AI factions of course.

Drogue · April 24, 2003, 15:12

I would say play with AI factions, and post both polls. Although a 2nd choice is handy, if nobody picks one as their first choice, but it would be the 2nd choice of many who's 1st choice didn't get in the top 4, then it could be worth it.

However that would be complicated, so just go 1 vote poll

Maniac · April 24, 2003, 15:20

http://www.gmu.edu/departments/econo...pers/02_18.pdf

After doing a bit of Google searches, this seems to me like a nice Hayek link.

Jamski · April 24, 2003, 15:27

Hey, stop playing with Google and make the poll

And make sure the Hive are in there.

-Jam

Drogue · April 24, 2003, 15:42

I have to decide who I want to be

I'm still not sure. Am I Utilitarian, Green, or just plain militaristically evil

What to be...

Maniac · April 24, 2003, 15:43

Now that this poll has ended, I have to say I find it odd the Drones only got two votes. I expected the entire CCCP to vote on those. Any reason not to?

Maniac · April 24, 2003, 15:45

Originally posted by War of Art
Hey, stop playing with Google and make the poll

Yes at once, Your Higher Evilness Chairman Yang!

Jamski · April 24, 2003, 15:49

Now that this poll has ended, I have to say I find it odd the Drones only got two votes. I expected the entire CCCP to vote on those. Any reason not to?

Because of the stooopid environmental penalties the Drones get, We're quite green in the CCCP.

Yes at once, Your Higher Evilness Chairman Yang!

At last the "respect" I deserve

-Jam

spartak · April 25, 2003, 18:55

Anything will do...

Main_Brain · April 26, 2003, 11:58

Now that this poll has ended, I have to say I find it odd the Drones only got two votes. I expected the entire CCCP to vote on those. Any reason not to?

Well had to write some papers but now im back and in my Heart a Choir sings the Beethoven immortal Ode to Joy to praise Domai.