Are power struggles, politics, and trying to control the culture apart of the 'game'?

Quick Poll

Again with the no cheese..

Blaze why do you deny me so?

No, people seek to aquire power in order to not use it and don't politic towards those ends. There is also an SL "culture" that is completely disjoint from the SL game.

Please see my why is the earth flat and does herbal tea fix it poll.

Well, that even confused me.

I can see why, "acquire" was misspelt. I hope that clears that up; my apologies.

absurdity.




blaze, yes it is..SL is a part of RL, not separate

<--an optimist just this side of Candide

Power struggles, in-fighting, politics--they are all part of the process as SL defines and refines itself. We are watching and sometimes participating in the evolution of an MMOLS (Massive Multiplayer On-Line Society) (I did not coin this term, but I like it quite a bit).

This struggle, if you watch closely, is fascinating.

I think whether we want it or not, politics and intrigue will always be a part of any community this size. For my money, it makes it more interesting in the long run.(not that Im any good at playing that game, I like my place in the stands)

Is it Conspiracy Theory Poll Day?

or Somewhat Damp-smelling Assertion Day.

I think it makes sense.
It depends what you mean by "politics" and "power" (hazy definitions being the scourge of all poll questions)

My interpretation is that Malachai is saying that while politicing goes on the same as in RL, that it is turned on it's head a bit in Second Life to the degree that there are fewer who seek power for powers sake, and that those who may be in an "FIC" type of position dont generlly feel they should tell everyone else what to do.

This is politicing and power relationships but opposite in many ways to RL

.

Ahhh, clearly you have a higher IQ than I, or you are more optimistic. Or, most likely, both.

Upon re-reading it, that makes sense.

However, I think most power seekers don't usually seek it to wield it, but rather seek it simply for the sake of having it.

Or maybe I just read what i wanted to see
Only Malachiai knows for sure.

.

I finally figured out who blaze's alt's are.

They are Chicken Little and Boy Wolf.


Grats on your 1000th meaningless poll.

You forgot the "this is an idiotic poll" choice. I would have picked that if it was there.

At least include a food item.

I still say that Rat's Ass is the best poll option I've ever seen!!

Since rats love cheese, I will consider that a cheese option!

Woops, misunderstood the question and answered wrong.

-Ghoti

OMG this is really getting silly.

There ARE NO power groups in SL deciding on policy. It's all a paranoid mind game based on forum nonsense.

There ARE however, groups of very strong 'personalities' in the forums. But what goes on in the forums doens't have anything to do with 'power struggles' in-world.

And the forum stuff? Same ol same ol you find in ANY forum anywhere.

I don't in the least expect my little spew here to change anything, but really, there are MUCH better things to fight about than who's the biggest flame warrior

Only because two of you seem genuinely curious, my initial post was 99 44/100% facetious. Here it is without the snark: people - like most social primates - seek power and control because it is evolutionarily useful. Power or control that is not wielded is definitionally not power. To be picayune, people can demonstrate their ability and willingness to use their control without using it, but that is a power; stated simplisticly, I don't need to beat you up so long as I can convince you that I could beat you up if I wanted to.

If you are interested in the subject, Robert Wright's The Moral Animal is a splendid introduction.

My current favorite (and appropriate here) warrior description:


"WARNING!!! YOU MUST READ THIS!!! Klaxon, the internet Chicken Little, raises the alarm for each and every paranoid conspiracy theory, Federal Big-Brother scheme, internet hoax, and latest computer virus. No black helicopter alert is so ludicrous, no urban legend so implausible, that he will not pass it along as accepted fact (in ALL CAPS with multiple exclamation marks). Congratulations, you are recipient 16,747 of today's Urban Myth. CAUTION: Evil Clown or even Klaxon himself may sometimes spread false alarms just to stir up trouble."

My personal favorite is The Swarm:

"A Swarm hive is almost impossible to detect. When a hapless victim stumbles on a forum that houses a Swarm and disturbs it with an offending message, the Swarm will erupt and fly at their victim from all directions. Taken one at a time the irrelevant, often mindless individual attacks can be easily brushed aside, but because of the sheer volume of the assault even the strongest Warriors must eventually yield. WARNING: Only those who are highly skilled in Swarm management techniques should attempt to wade into a Swarm hive. but even with protective clothing opposing Warriors should expect to suffer a few stings."

coco

People say much more in how they say what they say or in what they choose not to say than in what they say at all.

(leaving everyone to unwind that while she enjoys a cup of Earl Grey)

I reccomend a one poll per week maximum for all residents ;0