18 replies to this topic

[GaussDragon]

Having a background in political science and being the news junky that I am especially in relation to American elections and political culture, the similarities between American politics and certain patterns found here in the MW community too hard to miss. I'm not really trying to offend anyone here, but this is some fascinating stuff. I'm not saying that those of you who are predisposed to RP (especially clanners) or TT conservatism are necessarily all conservatives, but the appreciation of honour and hierarchy and desire to stick to the 'old ways'... well... they are quite similar in nature.

http://www.edge.org/...dt08_index.html

For anyone who has more interest in this sort of thing, I highly recommend "What's The Matter With Kansas" by Thomas Frank.

[Hayden]

"Diagnosis is a pleasure. It is a thrill to solve a mystery from scattered clues, and it is empowering to know what makes others tick."
-from the article

Edited by Hayden, 10 January 2012 - 12:05 PM.

[Adridos]

Why am I conservative, if I like the way the Liao functions, I did not know about it before and I am open to us conquering the world in Dark Age, like Celestial series mechs, etc?

Edited by Adridos, 10 January 2012 - 12:07 PM.

[GaussDragon]

Hayden, on 10 January 2012 - 12:04 PM, said:

"Diagnosis is a pleasure. It is a thrill to solve a mystery from scattered clues, and it is empowering to know what makes others tick."
-from the article

Hence why I present this little read. Knowledge of others and knowledge of thy self. I learned just as much about myself as I did those that fascinate me.

[John Clavell]

It's interesting question, and makes me wonder how deep, if at all the game will support politics. I hope it does. It's a really important and fun part of the Meta game. Anyone from EVE Online knows this, and anyone who's played a MechWarrior PA League knows this. To answer your question. I try to apply my personal ideas, but mostly I want to take some of the RP element and look at things through the mixed political views which make up our unit mirrored in the lore. But I always take into account the core values of the unit outside of the game too.

[ShoveI]

Hey! I live in kanasa dangit!

[GaussDragon]

John Clavell, on 10 January 2012 - 12:17 PM, said:

It's interesting question, and makes me wonder how deep, if at all the game will support politics. I hope it does. It's a really important and fun part of the Meta game. Anyone from EVE Online knows this, and anyone who's played a MechWarrior PA League knows this. To answer your question. I try to apply my personal ideas, but mostly I want to take some of the RP element and look at things through the mixed political views which make up our unit mirrored in the lore. But I always take into account the core values of the unit outside of the game too.

The thing I like about EVE is that the politics are generated out of whatever identity you make for yourself or your group. If you live for grief, the Goons are for you. I'm somewhat of a civil libertarian (liberaltarian) but mostly a pragmatist. I get frustrated when others try and impose lore or RP on me unnecessarily because to me, it restricts individual liberty and identity. I'm not (insert name) Kell, or (insert name) Pryde, I'm MF-ing GaussDragon, and I'm here to win.

[John Clavell]

GaussDragon, on 10 January 2012 - 12:24 PM, said:

The thing I like about EVE is that the politics are generated out of whatever identity you make for yourself or your group. If you live for grief, the Goons are for you. I'm somewhat of a civil libertarian (liberaltarian) but mostly a pragmatist. I get frustrated when others try and impose lore or RP on me unnecessarily because to me, it restricts individual liberty and identity. I'm not (insert name) Kell, or (insert name) Pryde, I'm MF-ing GaussDragon, and I'm here to win.

Ultimately I feel the same way. However I do love the lore of Battletech. Will our team not do x y z because they don't in the lore? No. I'm not hear to follow it blindly. If it conflicts with our teams objectives then we will bend it to our vision. Remember, come game launch, we right our own history and that is what I intend to do.

[Doctor Horrible]

"But with pleasure comes seduction, and with righteous pleasure comes seduction wearing a halo."

Good Article. Thanks for sharing. My answer...Yes. O:)

Edited by Doctor Horrible, 10 January 2012 - 01:00 PM.

[Kenyon Burguess]

since there was no "pirate in the periphery" option, i decided to re-read the lore online and what i have here at the house in storage. I liked the FWLM history best out of the choices offered. the "captain-general" style of dictatorship felt more interesting than the other houses and the fact that civil wars are more of an issue than the clans appealed to me. as far as RW politics go i tend to vote for the politition who has military experience over one that doesnt so i guess Marik is kinda in that fashion.

[Kaemon]

I'd have more respect for the article if he would've turned around and wrote an equally compelling piece on why people vote democrat.

"conservatism is a partially heritable personality trait that predisposes some people to be cognitively inflexible, fond of hierarchy, and inordinately afraid of uncertainty, change, and death"

"liberalism is a partially heritable personality trait that predisposes some people to be cognitively irrational, fond of chaos, and inordinately afraid of stability, personal accountability and death"



story is full of troll flamebait, stay away... (probably should try to use my gooder words there).

***edit***
To keep from thread jacking into a political downward spiral, I agree Gauss that human tendancy will follow into anything people do, so yes it stands to reason if you live your life in a pattern that falls into one of the afore mentioned 'spheres' you're more likely to repeat that behavior.

That being said, I guess I would argue the opposite as well, this is the chance for people to do something not their normal everyday routine, to RP someone/thing totally foreign/alien to them, so I guess I just refuted my own statement, lol.

/not conservative
//not liberal

Edited by Kaemon, 10 January 2012 - 01:33 PM.

[VoodooLou Kerensky]

'Lets Bash on Americans' from a Canadian gee what a surprise. I hope you realize that Political Science is an Oxymoron Like Military Inteligence and what does a degree in PoliSci get you in the real world job wise, hmmmm lets see Politician? Lobbyist? Political Comentator on TV? All of which most people will agree need to be drowned at birth. Not to Offend anyone.

[GaussDragon]

VoodooLou Kerensky, on 10 January 2012 - 02:19 PM, said:

'Lets Bash on Americans' from a Canadian gee what a surprise. I hope you realize that Political Science is an Oxymoron Like Military Inteligence and what does a degree in PoliSci get you in the real world job wise, hmmmm lets see Politician? Lobbyist? Political Comentator on TV? All of which most people will agree need to be drowned at birth. Not to Offend anyone.

Half my family is American. One of my uncles is a Baptist and in the USMC. We don't agree on much politics-wise, but there's certainly no animosity between us. So thanks for the assumption. I appreciate it.

[THE 4thbreed]

I try to put my personal beliefs into what i do. some times i say what the heck and go with my faction.

[T0RC4ED]

I like the BT Lore, but the extent of my gaming in the BT realm is limited to PC. Im an American conservative, and im ULTRA supportive of strong Capitalism. Im also a member of the Grey Death Legion Mercs.
Where I stand today is not because of those who came before me, but for those who have yet to stand before me.

Edited by T0RC4ED, 12 January 2012 - 11:18 AM.

[Catamount]

It'd actually be kind of interesting to see the political landscape of the BT following here, especially given the somewhat multinational nature of the community.

It's funny that these are the first forums I've been on in a long time where you can even bring up a topic this close to politics and not have a flame war erupt seconds later; it's a credit to the community

Edited by Catamount, 12 January 2012 - 11:45 AM.

[Kaemon]

VoodooLou Kerensky, on 10 January 2012 - 02:19 PM, said:

'Lets Bash on Americans' from a Canadian gee what a surprise. I hope you realize that Political Science is an Oxymoron Like Military Inteligence and what does a degree in PoliSci get you in the real world job wise, hmmmm lets see Politician? Lobbyist? Political Comentator on TV? All of which most people will agree need to be drowned at birth. Not to Offend anyone.

Nice shootin' there Lou, I think you got him...

/sarcasm

Edited by Kaemon, 12 January 2012 - 12:19 PM.

[Phelan Kerensky]

I really do hope that politics, both for the spheroids and the Clans, is in the game on a large basis. It will add much more flavor and rp elements to the game, which I am all for.

[Ashrok]

I've always thought that the loyalty and moral clarity players show to their specific factions related more to a sense of chivalry and feudalism.

After all, the political scene in BattleTech does feel a little... feudal.