Democrats for Discovery and Development

[AdamTG02]

Presenting the SMAC Democracy Game's first "think tank" -- Democrats for Discovery and Development, or 3D!

What does a think tank do, you ask? Well, we debate policy among ourselves, and try to individually decide what the right course for our government is. This works best if we are "on the same page" to some extent, so 3D is based around three principles whuich we generally accept:

-- democratic decision-making with pauses in the game when necessary to find consensus

-- a Builder as opposed to Conqueror play-style

-- focus on exploration, research, and economic infrastructure-building.

The idea is to to foster discussion among members with a similar play-style. To do this, we have a mailing list at groups.yahoo.com/smac3d/ . This mailing list was originally set up to discuss the merger of two parties, the P4 (Poly Party for Progress and Prosperity) and the EDP (Exploration and Discovery Party). The EDP was reluctant to merge, and the P4 disbanded before negotiations could be finalized.

Is this "discussion group" meant as a replacement for the party? Yes and no. Policy discussions that once would occur within a party might now occur within this think tank. But it's not a party -- it doesn't expect the loyalty of members, and it doesn't put up candidates for positions. This is just a way to allow discussion, foster creativity, and associate across party boundaries.

Our membership is open to anyone who's interested. At the moment, the members are:

AdamTG02
Maniac
GeneralTacticus
FlameFlash
Mellian
Mr. President
Earwicker
Archaic
Thud

If you're interested, email me at adamtg@cox.net and I'll add you to the mailing list.

[AdamTG02]

From recent discussion on the mailing list:

In any case, I see several roles for this think tank:

1) To debate proposed policy.
Through email and through threads at Apolyton, the Democrats for
Discovery and Development can usefully contribute to discussion by
coming to a reasoned consensus. We don't intend to vote as a bloc, but
to vote our conscience; however, by debating among ourselves we try to
come to a conscientious consensus on what the best policy is.

2) To come up with new ideas
Since the emails sent here will not go to every SMACDG member,
members can feel much less on-the-spot and free to brainstorm and to
speculate. By promoting an environment where members are free to
express their opinion, we can inspire originality and having fun in debate.

3) To associate outside the contraints of a party
Man is a social as well as a political animal. While I'd rather
this list not degenerate into spam, it's true that by associating with
one another, we break the rigid party boundaries and open the way to
creative ideas, not constrained by ideology. That's the trend I see
this NGO as encompasing.

We're also debating social engineering and term limits.

Mr. President has been added to the mailing list; those who also wish to be added, email me. If you'd like to scope it out before joining, the archives are at groups.yahoo.com/group/smac3d -- and you can automatically join there as well, if you're interested.

[Archaic]

I'm suprised you forgot me on that list there Adam. I'm kind of an unforgetable sort of person, wouldn't you agree?

[moomin]

Any particular reason to go with a mail list instead of doing your talking in threads over here, folks?

[GeneralTacticus]

Cuts down on spam, at least.

[Mr. President]

We're just evil.

Edit: It's also easier than sifting through threads.

[AdamTG02]

Archaic: I never received either a confirmation from you that you were interested or a request to take you off the mailing list. You, TKG, and a few others will be receiving emails, but not listed as members, until I get clarification of your wishes. This is so that I don't claim anyone as a member who doesn't want to be.

Since this list was originally designed for P4 / EDP merger discussions, there are a few holdovers from that time. None yet have asked me to take them off the list.

Moomin: The main idea is that email is simpler to use (requiring less preparation time), and that because of that people can be more spontaneous. There's also the factor that posting on a webboard makes you feel more on-the-spot than an email.

The intent isn't to be secretive (as the archives are open to the public at groups.yahoo.com/group/smac3d ), but to have the feeling of a more private environment.

[Thud]

Am I 'off' the mailing list at this point? Because I was once in P4, and by extension a member of that group. Anyway, I would actually like to keep membership or be reincarnated as a member there.

[FlameFlash]

all right, guys... if anybody isn't on Adam's list, it doesn't mean you're not included... to found an NGO we need at least five members, and Adam undoubtedly grabbed the first five that actively responded to him on the mailing list.

Doesn't mean you're off... but start responding and posting here and on that list if you really want to be heard.

((Subbing to thread))

[Mellian]

I want Cruisers, so lets research Initiative if we haven't yet. (haven't been keeping myself updated to mnuch on whats going on with our faction in the last few real weeks :P)

-Mellian

[Drogue]

I say we should make a beeline for Tree Farms and carpet most squares with forest. Then head for mineral and energy restictions lifting and build a base with many boreholes etc for building secrets, and if we can find a couple of energy resources, raise the land (farms, colars and echelons) and build a base for research, where we can put the merchant exchange (if its not already built) and the supercolider/theory of everything in one place.

[Earwicker]

Originally posted by Drogue
I say we should make a beeline for Tree Farms and carpet most squares with forest. Then head for mineral and energy restictions lifting

I am in total agreement with your desire for tree farms and mass forestation. But tree farms are available with the tech that lifts energy restrictions - so it amounts to the same beeline.

That said, we should consider timing and location of borehole construction in advance so that formers will already be working on them when energy restrictions are lifted, and so that some tree farms are already completed (or nearing completion) when the holes are finished (and the ecodamaage starts piling up).

[Earwicker]

Originally posted by Mellian
I want Cruisers, so lets research Initiative if we haven't yet. (haven't been keeping myself updated to mnuch on whats going on with our faction in the last few real weeks :P)

-Mellian

We haven't even researched Flex yet (it is running a close second to ecological engineering in the current tech poll).

But I agree that we need to reach out into the seas, and am hoping that Flex remains the priority after restrictions are lifted.

[Archaic]

Originally posted by AdamTG02
Archaic: I never received either a confirmation from you that you were interested or a request to take you off the mailing list. You, TKG, and a few others will be receiving emails, but not listed as members, until I get clarification of your wishes. This is so that I don't claim anyone as a member who doesn't want to be.

Since this list was originally designed for P4 / EDP merger discussions, there are a few holdovers from that time. None yet have asked me to take them off the list.

Consider this a clarification then.