Making Friends and Influencing People Poetically

I got to read a short and somewhat angry blog post this morning. Had I been finger painting at the time (something you should never do while reading something by Poetic Stanziel or Ripard Teg/Jester) I would be washing a big hand print off my face right now instead of writing this entry.

I'm going to tell you a little story. In August of 2011, I took a trip to Nashville to cover the Veto Summer Camp gathering for Eve Radio. The day before the actual event, there was a BBQ at Ryas Nia's house for Veto, and the 11 or so Devs that drove in for the event from the Atlanta office. Myself and co-host LarkinAlpha were invited to attend as well.

The whole thing wasn't even 2 months after Monoclegate blew up in CCPs collective face. We had done some very somber coverage of the whole affair, including the live show where we were joined by The Mittani, Seleene, and about 2,000 live listeners. We did a historical lead up to how we arrived at Monoclegate, slid into the present, and talked about what it might mean for Eve's Future. Amidst our coverage, and WTF is CCP thinking, Hilmar's Hubris Letter was leaked by EN24. Since no one else present was up for it, I read it out over the air for everyone to hear, and followed it up with a few choice words about the gall Hilmar had to write something like that, though obviously it was never meant for us or the rest of the community to see.

Something I try to do most of the time during the show is to provide at least some objectivity. For every point, there is a counterpoint. Along with all the talk about CCP screwing the pooch, I also brought something else up. As poorly thought out as that move was, CCP was not SOE. The players had lit the lighthouse, and CCP wasn't about to run their ship aground. They would make this right, and I had faith. At the time, I thought I might have been the only one among the more public members of the community that did.

So there I was, 2 months later at that BBQ. Introductions were going around, people were shaking hands with old friends and new acquaintances alike. Myself and Larkin were hanging off to the side a little bit, when one of the Dev's came over and introduced himself. We shook hands and I introduced myself as well. "No way!" he said, "I listen to your show!" 

I learned in short order that a recording of that show had been passed around at CCP, and was really taken to heart by several of the devs. A few other Dev's at the BBQ heard us talking and came over to chime in, and a very productive and informative discussion happened as a result.

One of my goals with our radio show, and I suppose this blog by extension, is to be a voice for Eve. I believe that those of us who are fortunate enough to have a good following in the community have a responsibility we have taken on to help guide the dialogue between the players and the company. The things we talk about, the words we say, are read and heard by hundreds, if not thousands, and their discussions about eve with others can be influenced by what they gain (or lose) from our insights.

I do not want to see Eve burn. That's my agenda right there for you. I want to see Eve grow and flourish. I want to share my community with others, and welcome new friends and enemies alike. I don't always agree with what CCP says or does. When they do something I appreciate, I'm quick with the praise. When they do something I think is a mistake, I'm quick to point it out. They don't always respond, or take my suggestions, but I always endeavor to keep the conversation both civil, and reasonable. What I don't do, is throw an attention fit like my 3 year old when I tell her she can't have a 3rd glass of chocolate milk in an hour.

Being a controversial tool bag might get you page views/listeners and attention, but in the end you only marginalize yourself. Watching someone kick up dirt and pitch a fit is almost always entertaining when it isn't sad, but when it's over, you're not taken seriously either. You become a clown. Pointing out someones flaws constantly and offering little in the way of solutions doesn't win you any friends either.

I was in a skype discussion the other day with a couple other bloggers and influential community members. One of the bloggers started a sentence with "I should do what Jester does and..." to which another blogger responded with "I recommend never starting a sentence with 'I should do what jester does'" I would also like to pass that advice along to Poetic.

The fact is, Ripard Teg (Jester) has almost no choice but to run for CSM 8 if he wants to have any real influence in Eve's future at this point. He's alienated himself with most of CCP, and from talks I've had with the current CSM, they hardly give him the time of day anymore, chalking up his blog as just the rants of an angry bittervet. Getting called on the carpet by Poetic is quickly becoming a badge of honor as well amongst the group.

That's not to say that Poetic doesn't do a good job most of the time, because in fact, I think he does a good job in the majority of his posts. Then we get a poorly thought out gem like the one posted this morning thrown in with the aftermath of an absolute shit storm he created for himself summed up in his blog yesterday. 

I would like to come up with an intelligent rebuttal to the posting that spawned this entry, but I'll just point people back to the entry directly previous to this one for why this feature (though I think of it as more of a fix) is great. The WoW comparisons are old and tired, plus losing a duel in WoW doesn't destroy half your gear, and leave the rest to be picked up by the guy that just kicked your ass.