QuietlyObserving

Reply to Jackboots or Ermine Slippers? in Dark Avatar GalCiv2 Forums

I agree wholeheartedly that all options should be tried and enjoyed. What exactly is "MVL" and how is it "joinable"? That is the beauty of the game, in my mind, all of the various options to be tried on the path to domination. Some of my favorite games are the ones that I actually lose after a long and ferocious cat and mouse game with a canny opponent. I've definitely found that location is key. If I desire a harder game (at a given difficulty level), then I accept the galaxy gene

Jackboots or Ermine Slippers? in Dark Avatar GalCiv2 Forums

I've been playing the game in one of its variations rabidly now for years, it seems. Never could be much bothered with the metaverse, but after reading many posts here on this forum I am curious about how people balance the two aspects of force: Brutal Jackboots (Military Victory) or Invidious Ermine Slippers (Influence or Diplomacy Victory)? I personally am a huge fan of the "slowly crushing my opponents under the weight of all those merchandising jingles for squeaky dog chew toys (o

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

I am in the same camp as GW on this one as well. Back onto Evil's digression: I'm a recovering postmodernist (not recovering so well, alas), so I usually end up thinking both that "a theif's a thief" and that stealing might be OK (or even good) sometimes. OK is something like stealing food from an abundant supply for your starving family. Good is something like

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

Rule of Law is at least as important as capitalism, and probably more important. I wouldn't build a two legged stool as the support underneath U.S. success, but rather a three legged stool of democracy (representative), rule of law, and capitalism. I would make that a 4 legged stool and add an element of morality (Judeo-Christian, thank you very

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

Now back to politics and Marxist theory? OK, if you insist Let's address a series of statements together, shall we? the proper terminology for the whole 14 hours of work thing is Wage Slavery <TABLE cellpadding=8 width="95%" align=center bgC

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

Moving back into the realm of GC3. AI actions /decisions would need to take into account the civ's "drive to win" as well as tangible/material calculations (like relative valuations for trading). Interactions with the AI tend to fall into two broad categories: Bartering and Conflict (Active and Passive). These interactions may or may not involve open communications (covert and overt diplomacy being two equally useful options), but every interaction has a goal: Influencing th

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

Quixen, I was only attempting to generalize and clarify the discussion, drawing together the elements alluded to by the various previous posts. I was not presuming to be you Without the very basic material necessities, how in the world can you "live", let alone be happy?<

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

This is quite the erudite forum! Hats off to one and all for making it so. GW is correct in that "tautology" was used in a rhetorical sense, but the intent was anything but nasty. "Money = Success" is so often blindly accepted by one and all as a truism, that I wanted to shake this assumption to its very foundation and challenge people to think of other metrics for measuring success. <td cla

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

Addressing the issues in reverse order (easier for my addled brain). taking more time might indeed tend to give you a stronger reading experience Most certainly! When I read business or technical periodicals, I must force myself to move faster, because, quite frankly, these are not worth the effort to digest any deeper than the surface ink spille

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

That seemed to do the trick... Now it gets all interesting... Is it considered Greed to reach for something you do not have but would make your life better? Not at all. Probably the line would be drawn somewhere around quality vs. quantity, I'd imagine. If I have a TV set that works and satisfies me, why do I crave another? (and I do) Is it be

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

Ah, back to the philosophical, good. Too bad my time for a reply is so limited. Quickly, then. money is a medium or expression of power Agreed, no argument there. The quote above assumes that someone seeking bo

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

In all of my games I play as an evil custom race, and almost never, ever change my government from the default dictatorship. All of my decisions are based on what is best for my empire I must agree with Quixen that the bonuses from not being Evil are just too great to ignore. My son enjoys the high powered weapons that an evil alignment brings y

Reply to Grammar nazis, do you really believe the map is the territory? in Off-Topic GalCiv2 Forums

Evil S: Realize that I am not trying to sway anyone's opinion towards anything, just stating mine. Either one of us could be right or could be wrong, we just don't know. Therefore, opinions formed are all we have. Regardles