Jump to content

Merlinus

Banned
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    154

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Blog Comments posted by Merlinus

  5. DrummerMike

    Posted

    Welcome to the Blogs, Drummer! Write what you will, for yourself. Don't try to please, or speak to (or for) anyone else. This is your space to create your own thoughts, feelings and emotions. Proper English, with correct grammar helps a lot. Look at some of the Blogs around here and you will see good grammar, correct writing mechanics, and clear expression of thought. It does take some work, but you can do it.

    Writers wrtie, every day! Make sure you do, too. Here.

  6. DrummerMike

    Posted

    It's an interesting take on things, Drummer. I've known many successes in my life that will, I believe be successful long after I pass this world. For instance, I've written some pretty good books that I believe will still be a good read long after I pass to my reward, when I die. Dying itself is easy; everyone does it once. But leaving can tell much about a person, and many good testimonies of success are from the way a person leaves this life. That's legacy. I've taught people things they didn't know, and ignited their passion for success in those things. They have succeeded, from their work, to their families and friends, and the world has been changed because good people did good things. I always believed I could do successful things; I've never not given my own ability doubts.

    Nice work. Congrats on the good grade.

  7. memoryproblems

    Posted

    Five is not an impressive number; it is an incredible number. Congratulations for figuring out how to do it, well. The game has evolved over that time because of players like yourself, and has presented to those who. like me, have less than two years experience with a much different, but IMHO a much better game. Thanks for that. I'll see you in five more.

  8. HeroofTime55

    Posted

    There's an interesting discussion here. If an alliance is not willing to put its pixels on the bottom line, why even create a Treaty, regardless of type? It seems to me that any attempt to negate a Treaty by fiat is nothing more than trying to save one's "honor" by dishonoring the agreement made.

    While this is my personal opinion only, I have seen alliances that put their honor into their treaties, even to the point of death of the alliance. They go to war in defense of their treaty partners, or ask their treaty partners to do the same. The focus does not shift in a treaty. It is an agreement of honor between two (or more) alliances. The treaty does not sever honor, it joins the individual honor of each alliance into a greater and larger honor that both signatories declare. That IS the treaty, regardless of type or category.

    Breaking that honor, no matter who initiates the action, dishonors both signatories, regardless of the word battles in the OWF, where one "friend" determines their honor greater than that of the other, Period. It is honor that creates the Treaty. It is dishonor which breaks that Treaty, no matter when it occurs. It does not become a matter of nullifying a Treaty, it becomes a matter of desertion among alliances. Period.

    When, in peace, treaties are nullified, a mutual agreement of the act exists at some level, and the signatories may well retain economic, trade, or other aspects of kindsmanship between them. There are certainly times when one signatory, either knowingly or unknowingly, violates a term or condition of a Treaty. However, in this case it is the obligation of the offended signatory to work diligently to bring the Treaty back into it's rightful state or condition between the two (or more) signatories--for the sake of honor. Using such opportunities for healing and learning to strengthen the bond of honor between the signatories as simple, "I told you so!" moments is juvenile at best, and completely disingenuous as a matter of fact. We have seen that moment as well.

    The point being, it is honor that remains within the core of any written agreement between two (or more) alliances. Should one signatory take such opportunities, in peace OR in war, to dishonor the other, that is not the result. The Treaty is dishonored, both parties suffer the same fate; their honor is besmirched. It should be. Don't place your word where it does not belong. Protect your honor at all costs, especially when you have given it to another. No matter what! Then, no matter the style or caption at the top, the honor which is consumed within the document will prevail, both (or more) signatories will enjoy the greater honor created by it, and regardless of outcome, honor will survive--even if the alliance(s) do not.

    To me, that alone is something worth fighting for. Very little else ever is. Power is granted, not taken. If you don't understand this most basic, fundamental truth (Honor), you should just not put your name on any document which requires it. Period. The better or worse condition of signatories is shared between them, at all times. Trust is earned, not demanded. When you show your lack of knowledge or appreciation for where you have placed the honor of your alliance, others will notice. Of that you can be sure.

    And especially here, in Digiterra, there is virtually no hope of having a second chance of creating a good first impression.

    Just my opinion.

  11. Jharius II

    Posted

    As I said earlier, this is a very extended prelude, an entrance. The first act hasn't happened yet. I'd be ready to fill that second page, if I were you. The NPO/Doomhouse drama is not separate from the conflict. It is a part of it. Their entrance is only part of the prelude, and it should be viewed that way. With peace already being declared, and the surrender thread gearing up, the evidence is clearly present that the prelude may be drawing to a close.

    However, most preludes end with gusto, force, and in a very agitated move. More entrants will not be an anti-climax by any means. In fact, those whose entrance to this conflict yet to come may well spell the main theme of the entire opera. Having a second "page" does not signify the close of the prelude, nor the beginning of the first act. It merely gives the musicians another page of notes. It's all the same prelude. Please keep it that way.

  16. Rush Sykes

    Posted

    While it appears this situation has not been resolved, it also appears as if this situation has ended. Caveat emptor! There is no way (nor, it seems) concern on the Alliance's part as to how this bitter taste will linger across the planet. So be it. Backing, blindly it would seem, their member is not a fault of any reputable alliance. It is the choice of that alliance's leadership. They have the right to do so in a way that satisfies them.

    Notice has been given, received, and catalogued. What obtains from here is anyone's guess--but it's not much of one.

  17. citizenkane

    Posted

    Atari, and an Epson Equity II. Floppy discs. BIG floppy discs. I was using an adding machine, abacus and slide rule. I ruled the world! :)

    Pascal was the rage, and Fortran was the amazing moment of the future. Box the size of a refrig where we leased "Hot Site" space from their ginormous 13.0 Gb drives for tape uploads. We were technically advanced! Novell 1.0 Certified, and knew it was the future. I've got Flash drives bigger than that. I've lived through the entire revolution to date. Remember the "Sneaker Net"?

    Played Pong on a monochrome, and people thought we were Gods. Atari? Had color! The Earth was going to end soon. DOS 1.2, anyone?

    I love technology! Flyin' pixels through the color-teeny, Ma! Rotary phone was the rage! Private (no party) lines. Cars without seat belts, and metal dash.

    I've been part of the revolution. I'm not sure we've done anyone huge favors, though. I kinda understand how Oppenheimer felt. We've created such power, yet we have no idea how to harness, control, or properly use it. DARPANet forever! :)

  18. Rush Sykes

    Posted

    Diplomacy fail?

    I don't think so. People fail. Deals fail. Nations fail. Diplomacy is neutral. It is a tool. Does a saw or router fail? Not unless they are active, and being used as intended. Diplomacy may break, or even stop.

    People fail. Our expectations fail. It's $3M. It's 100 tech. Is that the price of a nation's, or an alliance's good name or reputation? Is that the cost of broken diplomacy? I presume your purpose for this post was to examine diplomacy, and not a struggle to be "right".

    I have made the very same mistake your dealer made before. I very simply forgot. I will never forget again. Mine wasn't intentional, although I can fully understand why my trader would be convinced it was. I had to face my trader, my Trade Director, and my alliance. I did not prevaricate, and I did not hesitate to return twice the tech of the original agreement, with my sincere apologies for my failing. My reputation was tarnished. I lost an excellent trader, and I brought shame to my alliance, and doubt to my own word. I was a brand new player to the game. I gave my word, and forgot that I did. What diplomacy could overcome that?

    My alliance has extremely strict codes, or standards of conduct for its members. Every member, from the newest applicant to our alliance commander is expected, as a matter of honor, to adhere to these standards. What the external planet may see in times of question regarding those standards is entirely different from the internal reality of accountability to those standards. We do not voluntarily (usually) "air our dirty laundry" as a matter of course. Alliance founders/leaders spend years establishing their internal operations and external reputations in this game. I know of none willing to place the nerve center of their work on the block knowingly because of one blown trade deal. Evidently, your logs would indicate that at least one person believes this is an appropriate response. Will the response change in the light of public debate?

    Doubtful. More's the shame. Diplomacy has been forced out of the arena, in trade for personal failings. That is the choice others, not yourself, have made. They must live with their choice, as you must live with yours. Diplomacy broke in this instance. It often does. That's one reason wars begin. But, diplomacy is also a reason wars end. It is the most powerful weapon (IMHO) any alliance has at its disposal when used effectively. Sometimes, you get results in diplomacy you do not anticipate or expect. Welcome to Planet Bob! :)

    You are a good player, and a good diplomat. Learn, grow, and share. Keep your expectations in focus, and never "forget" when you have given your word.

    Sometimes, the planetary environment can depend upon it.

  19. Rebel Virginia

    Posted

    Ah, so for you, finding the underdog pretty much guarantees that you will become the underdog?

    Well, that's umm, well...unique. So, it's not finding 'em, it's becoming them that does it for ya? That's an interesting philosophy, especially in light of the mind of a "principled" man. (I had a principle once. No, REALLY! I DID!) I guess at least you get a good workout every now and again.

    Tell me, what happens to these newly glowing nations once you have overcome them with your sense of justice? Just wonderin'.

  20. Rebel Virginia

    Posted

    Well.as one who has lived his life as a supporter of the "underdog", I welcome your comment. However, it is our shared responsibility to carefully weigh the sides of a circumstance when determining the "underdog", as well as the validity of the position they hold on a subject.

    Nothing sux worse than supporting someone later found to be unworthy. Then, I must become the avenging angel of holocaust, and other unpleasant forms of inter-galactic retribution. That always makes my laundry bill go up. Cleaning the cape can get expensive sometimes, ya know!

    Puttin' th' kybosh on somebody can really wreck your schedule. But, when the cause is just, I will defend the "underdog" until the end. Strangely enough (and, as luck would have it), it appears that I am in an Alliance whos members seem to think this very same way. Go figger! :)

    Justice is not merely for the mighty, or the wealth-laden. Nor is the monolith always at fault. It is to you and I, and those like-minded souls on Planet Bob, to ensure that justice prevails. (Just remember I can't do no super-heroin' on Wednesday afternoons--golf ya know!)

    Best Wishes, etc.,

    Merlinus

  21. Joseph Black

    Posted

    Welcome to the Blogs! You can feel free to talk about pretty much anything--I'd keep the allliance secrets out of OWF, but I'm just sayin'... :)

    Most who have been here a while would likely tell you to always address the message--NEVER the messenger. Step back and take some slow breaths; give yourself some space to work through the anger, hurt or rage. Humor and a liberal application of the Tincture of Time will usually diffuse most situations. Write your thoughts for your thoughts' sake, for yourself first. Make friends first, positions later. Ask questions. Use what makes sense to YOU, and toss the rest.

    I'll enjoy reading your words.

    Best Wishes, etc.,

  24. oOoMidooOo

    Posted

    It is my view that the alliance, through its membership is strongest when pure democratic governance exists. My question to you is: What do you believe is the most appropriate course for membership to take when it becomes obvious that the government is moving from an open to closed governance? What can the members do to stop and reverse such a course (provide they wish to)?

×
×
  • Create New...