How has playing SMAC affected your non-gaming interests?

[gwillybj]

I have a casual interest in reading about politics and diplomacy. I'm trying to get through Plato's Republic. If I can manage that, the next project will be Kissinger's Diplomacy. I started Ceasar's The Gallic Wars, but RL obligations required that I put it away. I'll get back to it, though, I'm sure.
Have you done something into which sneaked a piece of SMAC, or influenced somehow?

[rod87]

The Republic is a little bit dense, but deffinitely worth it, it's a great read. I did read it before starting to get so interested in SMAC, though. You might also like reading The Prince, by Machiavelli.

As for SMAC influenced media or interests, I actually watched 1984, the movie based on Orwell's book (the British version, with John Hurt), since I tried to imagine what it would be like to live in a futuristic 'Hive' (communist or socialist or collectivist dystopia, at least the way I see it in Yang's faction). I've also been interested in watching THX 1138 based on a forum member's (can't remember if it was here or elsewhere) commenting on similarities between the movie and the game, but I haven't gotten around to watch it yet. Also the Spartans inspired me to start watching dystopian 80s sci-fi films, like Aliens and such.

[Lord Avalon]

Sometimes in traffic I wish I were in an impact rover. Then I think better of it and wish I were in a gravship.

Plus I'd have a much better weapon.

[kittenOFchaos]

I don't save for the future as I learn from Morgan that resources exist to be consumed.

[the_rest]

Somtimes when I see a pretty girl on the street, I think: now this one is with the spartans. (or if some day people will embark on the unity on the way to alfa centauri, and she'll get onboard too, then she'll probably be a spartan). Or, some other chick could be with Lady Deirdre. Or when I see actors in movies, I think like that about them: who is with which faction. The most eloquent film that got me thinking of SMAC was Avatar. So Siguerney Weaver was like Lady Deirdre, and those other scientists with her were with the Uni, and they were fighting the spartans.