Extremes
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by av khan
First of all, thank you, eIndia for giving me eIndian CS. I hope my stay here would be fun! Now onto my article.
A strange question crossed my mind while studying today. Well strange at that time though now that I have thought on it, it doesn't seem strange any longer. I wanted to share it here as that would make an interesting case to study especially with respect to eRepublik.
World, as in the people of world, likes extreme behaviors, thoughts and ideas?
Taking examples from RL,
Communism
It is quite evident if one reads about communism that communism is extremist in nature quite similar to how capitalism is extremist in nature. Or may be what I have been reading was propaganda. However, for now, lets believe it is.
The popularity of communism in the previous century is not something the would need any illustrations. So much so that it went to the point of persecution of communists by USA to stop the spread of its popularity in USA and oh well the wars that followed.
Austin's Imperative Theory of Law (which I was going through when this thought crossed my mind).
Another theory which is quite extremist in it nature. Yet it is quite popular in law in-fact included in basics.
Lets move onto eRepublik
Who are the most popular people on eRepublik?
Trolls
Those who become famous by making fun of other nations or people?
Tanks
Those who are famous (oh even loved) for pitching hundreds of dollars in a game and that for the sake of winning ewars?
Note: I am not against gold buyer, as long as they don't use that gold for tanking. In-fact I thank them, sort of, for supporting the game which in turn enables the rest of us play for free.
Lets presume that you guys would agree that the above are cases of loving the extreme.
So the first question that comes to min😛
Is it actually so? The assumptions I made above are correct?
That world actually likes extreme thoughts, behaviors and ideas.
The second question then would be (if the answer to first is yes)
Why is it so?
What is it that attracts man towards such things?
Even though once we logically look at it, it seems illogical.
Even though reasonably they shouldn't be liked and generally are criticized as well.
And Lastly
Are the extremes actually desirable?
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First!
Austin's theory of law - you're studying law? Where? I'm a law student, too! 😃
I think the extreams allow us to express our fantiacies and frustrations.
We get to project our feelings and glorify those that are able to act them out.
While we get to be safe, warm, and protected from taking the front line of that stance.
cool article...now do me a favor: Give a summery at the bottom of article. Voted ofc. : /
Interesting, some thoughts could have used further development.
@ArawanLives
Yep : ) I told you that in the comments os Ash's articles with Inidian citizens intros etc when i saw yu were studying law.
@obenitedang
The purpose of this article was further development on those thoughts through discussions.
@fighter100
I thought this article was small : O
@Auraborus
You definitely have a point there. However, the question of whether these extremes are actually desirable or not and why still remains unanswered.
I guess simply because Normal things happen all the time and are boaring,humans tends to like Extreems cuz its Fun and Exiting 😃 just my opinion tho 🙂
Awesome! Which year are you in? Which city? 🙂
The risk, thrill and uncertainty of going to the extremes is preferable to many over the the stability, which is boring, provided by following the moderate path.
@ AV - nice article! : ) looks like Maniu has a new companion!!! he should definitely read this and get involved in the debate.
As for your question, my take on it is that humans are a social group and like all other social groups (animals, birds) it is the alpha male which is the dominant force. It seems that millennia of evolution have helped make this social grouping as the one most likely to survive among its competition, thanks to its simple ideology which maintains law and order within the group and yet unites it against other groups. This also of course makes others within the group feel like taking up the dominant position but cannot do so unless they have a radical idea that would succeed. These likely leaders are egged on by trolls who see in them the possibility to usurp power and bring their own standing up.
As you say rightly, it is the extremes that succeed, because only extreme ideas would appeal to a vast society - the mediocre ideas are just not powerful enough to make most people have the confidence that they could successfully shake off the alpha male (leader) and elect another one in its place who would benefit them.
Firstly Sora, welcome to Indian Media!!! We're richer now for your presence!
As for your article, imo its all about Darwinian 'survival of the fittest'. Evolution and genetics dictate that in every aspect of our life & even in a game, which closely resembles RL than any other I know, we choose to either establish ourselves as the alpha, as Ash says, by displays of 'prowess' or building a 'following' to reinforce our own sense of identity. It follows from what a recent research states as the risk of social networking (which in truth eRep is all about, with some additional persona-building tools thrown in): "infantilising the mid-21st century mind, leaving it characterised by short attention spans, sensationalism, inability to empathise and a shaky sense of identity".
So the world is split between two three types of classes, the rich, the middle and the poor. The rich prefer to do less work by hiring the middle to do it for them, (People who tank, spend the money), the middle guys fight, whilst the poor just continue to bitch about how shit their life is.
Its totally logical because that is the way of life, yes some from poor and middle class make it up to the rich class but by working hard. So I disagree where you feel this is strange when in reality, in games this has always been the case.
Once you understand this, you can dwelve into demand and supply. There is a demand for tankers, there is a demand for trolls ( entertainment ) and there is a demand for the rest who fight and earn through the system.
So it isn't extreme, illogical or weird its the system that we live in that classifies based on wealth.
Welcome to India! Enjoyed this article!
I don't think extremism ever succeeds. For a certain period, it might appeal to a mass population because of various socio-political reasons as well as the charisma of the leader. However, in the long run, all ideas sort of fall back and come close to moderate. Communism, although was popular to a certain extent, wasn't successful. Chinese communism has been successful because it's more of a moderate version of communism compared to what we saw in Soviet.
On the other hand, no nations on earth today have pure Capitalism. American Capitalism is far away from being an idealistic capitalistic society. Idealism is extremism then reality comes and makes everything moderate.
People like extremism because it's new, fresh and provide promises that currently prevailing moderate philosophies don't.
@Arawanlives
1st year (out of a total of three). In Mulatan, Pakistan. And you?
@Osman
Do you think its desirable?
@Ashwamedh
thank you and too kind of you but mainu and you guys are way above my level imho. But I suppose I can contribute a little : )
wow biology : ) I have lost touch with it since SSC but what you say makes total sense even when looking at it from human percepective.AND answers all my questions, as far as I can see.
@maverik
Thanks a lot.
And Interesting answer. So to take from what you are saying, is that altough its not the right way because of the things you pointed out yourself. Its the only way?
@Asif
Are you implying that because it is in demand, its reasonable?
@exibot
Thanks : )
I totally agree with you in-fact you just what I have been thinking in answer to my own questions to some extent.
Final year, NLS Bangalore. 😃 Good to hear from a fellow law student. 😃
For better or worse, yes; I think that's kinda coded into our genetics - the need for recognition, the need to reinforce our identity through external manifestations ... in RL terms, that's status symbols like expensive cars, cosmetics to make ourselves more 'presentable', hence by implication, desirable. Games aren't built on chance - they tap into those very same psyche and exploit our sense of or in most cases lack of identity. So in game terms, we are hard-coded to identify ourselves as 'tanks' or 'trolls' or fall into mediocrity by being neither. Our self-worth, in game & in some sad cases, RL too unfortunately is determined by our 'success' in game - medals & achievements; sense of accomplishment at proving oneself 'better than the other' - how? - by fighting over pixels.
I do not agree that the most popular people are trolls. Real trolls are in fact most hated people in this game. You had many hating Dioists for example (/v/akis, not current Dioists), also some other individuals which like to push the limits of people's patience.
The most popular people, unfortunately, are spammers/tanks.
Spammers, in eRep (and on internet lately) often referred as trolls, are popular simply because of their silly and catchy jokes that people find amusement in. Considering eRep population is quite RL young, and young people tend to be more amused by these things, "trolls" like (in)famous smee again become hit.
Tanks are other story. Like with big politicians IRL, or band singers, tanks draw attention. They don't have to be ultra-bright, they just need to have charisma. And in eRep, you don't have to be bright at all, your charisma is built by your top damage and number of CH medals. "Trolls" are the real charismatic people.
>What is it that attracts man towards such things?
Charisma. They do what people like to see/hear, and people are sheep. Even those popular people are sheep, being used by people who run things from shadows. There are exceptions clearly (manipulators to name one), but usually charismatic people are used by those who have concrete goals (If somoene is popular he often doesn't care what gets him there, as long as he stays popular, and the people with plans keep him/her there)
>Are the extremes actually desirable?
Clearly yes. Extremes make things interesting and less predictable