official: Social Engineering: Switch to Knowledge upon discovering Cyberethics?

AdamTG02 · November 7, 2002, 19:59

Our social theorists look forward to a time when curiosity will be regarded as noble and all citizens will be inspired by the relentless search for knowledge. They propose making Knowledge, rather than Wealth or Survival, the central goal of our society. However, the theorists are unanimous on one point: our society cannot maintain this high level of interest in knowledge at this time. The most credible theorists claim that, first, our scientists would need to develop an objective standard of Intellectual Integrity to judge beliefs about scientific fact, and a code of Cyberethics to formalize man's relation to machines.

But there is far from unanimity regarding this vision of the future. Some social commentators believe that changing our society's focus from Wealth would strike a crippling blow to our economy, retard our industry, and leave us open to University probes. Partisans of Knowledge respond that a Knowledge-based society would open untold new vistas of scientific understanding, promote rational efficiency, and promote the morale of our troops, who would know the principles they would be fighting for.

This is the question posed to us: Shall we institute a Knowledge-based society, as soon as our intellectual infrastructure allows it? Or shall we continue in the resolve to promote opportunities for Wealth?

You hav four days.

Method · November 7, 2002, 20:17

Quote:

Originally posted by AdamTG02
Shall we institute a Knowledge-based society, as soon as our intellectual infrastructure allows it?

but of course!

Maniac · November 7, 2002, 20:26

Stay with Wealth for now. Perhaps after we have peace with Zakharov...

Method · November 7, 2002, 20:31

....we'll have cyberethics and will be able to switch

GeneralTacticus · November 8, 2002, 01:59

Write-in: Switch to Knowledge as soon as the efficiency bonus becomes more effective than Wealth's economy bonus (don't laugh, I've seen it happen).

MrWhereItsAt · November 8, 2002, 08:01

Real game effects:

Wealth: +1 Econ +1 Ind -2 Morale
Knowledge: +2 Rsrch +1 Efficiency -2 Probe

Earwicker · November 8, 2002, 09:52

Right now, we need a social model that allows us to grow and quickly build our infrastructure. Wealth has been working well with its industry and economy effects. With our enemies far away, the penalty to our troops' morale has not been much of an issue. I feel we should remain as we are for the time being.

Lifting of energy restrictions will bring other changes to our social agendas (making FM more feasible). At that time, let's consider the effects of both switches together.

Also, from what I've seen in tech polls, there is a lot between us and Cyberethics. It is good to know people's thoughts now, but our perspective is likely to be quite different 20 years from now.

Drogue · November 8, 2002, 10:51

I agree with Earwicker that by the time we have Cyberethics peoples' ideas may have changed. But we are at war, and though the enemy is far away, the morale hit will affect all troups built, some of which will probably still be in use when they are needed, not to mention thew affect it has against MW. Knowledge will appease Zak too, so it may be possible for peace (and trade

)

Besides, do we want to be a greedy, money obsessed faction

? Or a faction of enlightend free thinkers

?

Vote Knowledge!!!

AdamTG02 · November 8, 2002, 11:02

You raise a good point, Earwicker. But Intellectual Integrity is our third choice tech now, and we will be able to research Cyberethics soon after. If it takes a month to get Cyberethics, then I agree we should poll again. The purpose of this poll is to allow for the contingency that it won't take that long.

Earwicker · November 8, 2002, 16:26

Quite true. And recent events (losing the Command Nexus to the Hive and imminent first contact with our enemy) suddenly makes the morale penalty of wealth much less attractive.

Method · November 8, 2002, 19:31

morgan is currently researching cyberethics

Archaic · November 9, 2002, 06:38

Agreed with GT. In many cases, the Economy bonus from Wealth (Especially if it's combined with FM) brings a quicker research rate than Knowledge, even with the lower Efficiency.

Frankychan · November 10, 2002, 17:34

Switch to Knowledge. As a Peacekeeper citizen, we should push back the frontier of known science instead of trying to fatten our wallets with energy credits.

Seriously tho, I say make the switch. If war w/Yang is going to happen, I'm afraid our bases will not stand the strain of drone riots and military units away from their base.