Defining the FIC (Seriously)

There has been a lot of hype and nonsense surrounding what is the FIC, what they do. The name FIC, and the FIC has become a sort of SL pop cultural joke or icon. Because it has turned into this, it has allowed the true issue to be ignored or made out into a joke.

The real issue is this. Almost every online community be it a virtual world, forums, etc. has a veteran group of players, sometimes called the “oldies” or “veterans” or by other names that comes to dominate, and run things. Therefore they go beyond regular newcomers, and regular players or members because they have more influence either through their own effort or through having the ear of the administrators.

This influence may be intentional (political) or unintentional (social). It may simply be that they were some of the first people around, or the first actively participating members and so they bound together as well as made friends with the administrators. It is common sense and human that the social interactions, and being in a smaller setting day after day would bound this group together.

Unfortunately, often this group becomes a “clique” or a group of “cliques” meaning they are not open to newcomers coming into the group, and continue to primarily keep their interaction as well as projects within the group. They may become a clique intentionally, or again unintentionally simply because they are not comfortable with expanding beyond the group or do not see any reason to.



The problem is when, as the online community in whatever form it is in expands to greater numbers, and the veteran clique continues to be the only ones holding the ear of the administrators. This often stifles the ability for newcomers or others to receive the help or support they may need

.

It becomes unethical when blatant favoritism occurs, and the clique or cliques begins to use their influence in what becomes an obviously unethical manner as they know they can call in favors. The problem is determining the intention., and if blatant unethical activity is occurring.

It becomes a “conspiracy” when the group calls in favors, receives favors, and there is an attempt to cover up the fact that favoritism did occur with the participating parties fully aware of what is going on.

Many say the last mentioned conspiracy has occurred, and this is what is labeled the “FIC”, a conspiracy of favoritism.

There is no doubt there are some veteran groups in a world as large as ours, and perhaps one of these groups could be called a clique by some standards.



So the question is, and that has been debated for months is do we have an FIC? Do we have an active intentional, “conspiracy of favoritism”. Do any of these groups or cliques actively conspire in such a way? Or is it simply friends helping friends, without realizing there is anything unethical about it? Is it a few individuals conspiring in such a way, or is it a group effort (an “FIC”) in which they realize that their all receiving unethical “perks”.

I really don’t know, but I think we need to label things as they are. Are there veteran groups and cliques of players, some that have Linden friends? Well yes, that is common sense. It is going to happen in any online community almost. Is there an “FIC”? Well that is the debate



I am not trying to inflame or anything here. I know this is an old issue, but there is still a lot of resentment and I still hear a lot of things being murmured. A lot of people I have found actually accept there is an FIC, and blatant favoritism is going on so they feel resentful. I do not think though all veteran groups or cliques should be incorrectly labeled "FIC" unless there is proof they are part of an conspiracy of favoritism. Just because people have been around awhile, made friends, and work on projects together does not necessarily mean their FIC. But it doesn't mean they should be allowed unethical favoritism either.

The FIC is a paranoid delusion created by a person that is no longer allowed to post in these forums.

Nothing more.

True, but the fact there is a veteran group of players with Linden friends, or individual players, is not a paranoid delusion it is common sense which I was trying to clarify.

Is there anything wrong with it? Not really, its human nature to make friends and form bonds.

I hear people use the word often who do not even necessarily know who the creator of it was, or really realize it like that. There are people who talk like it is true, i was surprised but see a lot of people do actually feel that way.

If they (the veteran groups) are receiving favoritism or not or are very cliquish is the question, but I don't have an answer. I do not think the attacks or anything were fair, and am not defending that.
But the word, and meaning has gone beyond its creator.

fwiw since "fic" is such a loaded term...

it might be better to ask if there are "aristocrats", "plutocrats", "people the linden's ears", "friends of the lindens", "oligarchs", or other elitist group with influence over the lindens' decisions.

but that's still a loaded question.

* * *

but if it comes down to "is there a conspiracy?" no, there isn't.

Favortism? Hmmm... subjective comment.

Much like the term FIC, favortism is a needless term. The Lindens are human behind the avatar.

They have strengths and weaknesses like anyone else.

This is a loaded comment.

In fact, I have seen Lindens spend excessive amounts of time dealing with newbies, while shelving pressing issues. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It's divisive to suggest that a certain group of residents gets special attention because of their rez day.

I am NOT saying that their getting special attention intentionally. I am saying it is common sense that there are those who are veterans (came in early on), and others who formed bonds with each other and the Lindens, and are a distinctive group or groups.

A veterans group is in almost every online community, SL is no different. Are they an "FIC" or an "Elitist group" or receiving "Special treatment?" I am not saying their any of that, but a lot of people are or do say it, so I was just clarifying that obviously there is a veteran group but they may not deserve the label they get in this community. Some say they do though. So in fact, instead of attacking, I am just clarifying.

So what is it you are saying? What is there to clarify? The FIC does not exist.

There is no special attention.

If anybody gets special treatment, it should be the people that pay LL the most money.

I won't even repeat that stupid arse term. It is not worth your time thinking about it.

On the positive side, the Lindens ignore me with great aplomb and I thank them for that.

im not shure what this is about considering 99% of the time ive heard the term FIC its been in a joking manner

yes we are human
yes we like our little groups
yes im shure some of the lindens are human
yes im shure they like their little groups

what does it have to do with the price of tea in china?

These kinds of threads usually degrade into a poo-fest. I am not entirely sure what the point of the original post is, but I would offer this: I have had the occassion to spend some time with a few of these "FIC people" and I find that they laugh and bleed just like the rest of us. I am not sure if they get special treatment here, but in every case they have been extremely friendly and helpful to me.

Good point Weedy, I shall expand...very often, especially in this innovative virtual environment, favouritism, as defined by general sensibility, is simply viewed as the accomplishment of mutual goals in a spirit of helpful collaboration to create a compelling result.

Conspiracy is not possible because it's not even considered that such executions might be perceived as unethical. It parallels Microsoft employees' myopic vision of computer users. "Why would you ever not use Windows?" Likewise, why would Lindens not help people prove their platform is useful and why would early adopters & developers not take a handout from the company in order to complete their project?

As in any political or social hierarchy, people who wield the most influence do so primarily because they can be trusted to keep thier mouths shut. The only way to effectively spot FICers is to become one. Oh my that does sound conspiratorial doesn't it.

Well the intention was that I had heard several things said, from different people, people seriously making off comments about the FIC and being serious about it. I was surprised, and was surprised it was still considered an issue.

So I was clarifying exactly what I felt about it, that yes there is a veterans group, that have Linden friends, it is common sense. I do not think there is an "FIC" or an active conspiracy of favoritism, but some people may have in the past received favoritism or favors been exchanged without the participants realizing it might have been unethical.

I still hear people seriously talking about it, and considering it an accepted fact. Which is why I brought it up.

Looking at the ages-old archived posts by (you know who) it seems that FIC was never actually a conspiracy theory to begin with, but was accepted as being a consequence of natural social behaviour.

(I didn't realise that the thread that originally defined the term was to do with... an ugly build bordering someone's land.. and there I thought that was a new thing)

In other words, rather than being a conspiracy that was built by deliberate action, it was something that deliberate action would have to be taken to prevent happening.

Only some?! We're a giant alien laboratory experiment. (or maybe the laboratory monkeys staged a revolution and are now the ones wearing the pants...)

Here's a news flash. If you run a business for any length of time, you're going to have "preferred" customers. Some businesses codify this and sell it as a benefit. Others do it quietly, respectfully.

Example:
If you run a construction business, and a local customer has been coming to you for years for your service, eventually he becomes "preferred" than Joe Q. Pants who rolls in off the street, still wet behind the ears.

It's not a conspiracy, it's a consequence of doing business. It's a consequence of human interactions.

If you treat every customer exactly the same, regardless of volume, quality, or whatever, then you will soon be out of business.

FIC stands for "Fucking Idiotic Conspiracy." It was invented by people who can't fathom a non-communist utopia from behind their computer monitors, who dont understand the concept of human and business relationships.

Every time I've seen the term defined in-depth, there's always the qualifier that there are perks, special favors, or special treatment. What are these perks? No one's ever defined these or given concrete examples of a perk being given out, not even the originator of the term. It really sounds like a case of truthiness - I believe something just must be true in my heart of hearts, therefore it is.

Until anyone can provide proof positive that there's some sort of perk or special favor doled out, I'm going to keep with the definition that I've come to associate with the term - you post on the forums a lot, or your existence upsets someone's apple cart. Its an empty term used most seriously by people that aren't happy unless there's a group wearing the black hat.

For one or two people, its shorthand for people they don't like for whatever reason, qualifiers be damned. "Why don't I like them? Well they're FIC! Anyone can see that!" It makes irrational (or paranoid, or jealous) hatred sound justified.

I am separating the term from the people labeled as such. I am saying FIC was defined and was meaning a conspiracy of favoritism, but I am NOT personally saying the group or groups that bears the label (veteran players and assorted content creators) deserves the label.

However, I am saying that it is possible in an online community for an veteran group or clique to become a conspiracy of favoritism toward each other, and the receiver of favoritism by the administrators of that community/world. I have seen it happen before in other communites. Many alledge it has happened here.

Some like Lordfly seems to be saying it is an acceptable thing, in that there are "preferred" customers who deserve the special attention because they have been making regular contributions to the world, and are active participants so they deserve it. There is an argument for that too.

Again, the original term mentions the special favor that was referred to - being "feted".

Note that I don't support the FIC theory, but (because I have a lot of interest in how these social things turn out in virtual worlds) I spent a little time trying to pin down exactly what the term was supposed to mean, and it seems it's been altered a lot over time.

While I agree with everything you've stated, I think many people who run fledgling businesses have a fear that this is a vicious cycle wherein great opportunity is given to the established SL presence over other equally qualified people. This will continue to keep the less known and AFIC from getting anywhere. These are, I think, primarily newer residents who don't yet know the lay of the land and are being influenced by what they hear and read. They will eventually "grow up" in SL and find the True Path.

Of course, others are just nitwits and beat this baloney into the ground for the hell of it (see Cory's post above).

Absolutely, Cory.

To make an assertion an follow up with a question removes much of the validity of the question. I realize the gist of the OP's question, but it's loaded one.

For example:

Gun crimes are prevalent in the world today, yet Second Life allows it's residents to make, use and sell guns. There are numerous griefing incidents occuring with weapons.

My question is this - Does the NRA encourage residents to violate the TOS by openly advocating the ownership and use of weapons, or does the NRA lobby Linden Labs to allow gun use?

Absurd...yes?

I'm curious if you think any new Linden is informed of who they need to treat as FIC?

I take what LF says more in the vein of saying certain customers earn preferred treatment based on a mutually beneficial relationship.

Just visit Kissling, and look at those soooo nice big buildings, there you have some proof.

One problem with the business model is that, as far as we are concerned, the Lindens are the government, and we are the people. In this world, they are not a business - among many businesses we might choose to deal with - they are THE business. I.e., the government. The big Kahuna. The giver and taker of all things.

As such, it is not a good idea for the government to - for instance - pass out building contracts to just people they happen to know and like.

Let's say the Lindens have a project they want to do, and they want someone to build it. Whoever builds it will get not only money, but invaluable advertising exposure. The Lindens therefore should not just look to someone they happen to know about, who is talented and can do the job. They need to open it up to everyone, as in a contest. Everyone should have an equal opportunity at whatever perks and privileges are being dispensed by LL.

The business analogy people keep trying to use is more applicable to, say, SLExchange, Anshecorp, the Metaverse Messenger, and so on. Yes, they can, will, and should do business among themselves as private enterprises and no one should expect anything else - because we can all choose not to deal with them if we don't like the way they operate.

But in the more accurate analogy, SL is the world, LL is the government, and we and all our businesses are the people who live in it. Therefore it is encumbant on the Lindens to make all processes transparent and equal opportunity to all. (Notice the word here is "opportunity," not "guaranteed goodies to everyone who applies."

Sure, there are other worlds with other governments, like WOW, and we can go to them if we don't like the government here. But one assumes the goal here is for this particular government/world to attract many new citizens, who will be happy citizens, who feel like they are treated as fairly by the government as are the other citizens.

coco

Well it is a preferred and acceptable policy, for instance, that island owners get preferential treatment. That is an open, stated, and obvious policy. They get their own concierge service, for obvious reasons, their paying a lot of money into this virtual world.

I think though LF is talking about something different, in that certain content creators and big contributors receive attention because of their contributions and it is a silent unstated thing but for according to him common sense reasons.