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Protests, Politics And Parties In MMORPGs

Posted by timothy on from the william-shatner-said-it-best dept.

The Importance of writes "LawMeme's James Grimmelmann has written an interesting piece on protests, politics and parties in MMORPGs. In particular, he talks about the 'tax revolt' in Second Life."

5 of 373 comments (clear)

  1. There is a true social contract by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If I don't like how life is in a game, I'm free to leave at any time and start a new life elsewhere agreeing to the new rules of that society.

  2. Pardon my French but... by WIAKywbfatw · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...that's a complete load of crap.

    Lord Of The Flies is a book that illustrates how easy it is for us to fall into anarchy without the presence of a society to keep us in check.

    The book isn't about failing systems of government, it's about how, in the absence of any form of government, we quickly we fall back to a selfish "survival of the fittest" state with the strong preying on the weak.

    The boys don't try to set up a system of government, they try to live by the rules that society has taught them. But, pretty soon, they realise that without society watching over them, those rules are easily disposed of - and weaker figures like Simon and Piggy suffer as a result.

    Witness the near-deification of the conch, the hunting, the return to "normal" behaviour when rescue arrives, etc. This isn't a book about government or society, it's a book about a lack of government and the breakdown of society.

    No book more clearly illustrates the mentality that turns ordinary people going about their daily business into a rioting, blood-thirsty mob than William Golding's masterpiece. When it comes to examining how easily we can descend into anarchy, LOTF is the bible.

    --

    "Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
  3. Pretty sad by SuperBanana · · Score: 5, Insightful
    protests, politics and parties in MMORPGs.

    Meanwhile, US citizens are barely registering a whimper of protest at the draconian laws passed every day in the name of "patriotism" and "protecting the homeland".

    It's pretty sad that people organize "protests" in a fucking -game- but won't stand up for their rights in real life. What is the matter with you people?

    --
    Please help metamoderate.
    1. Re:Pretty sad by kfg · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Very simply because in real life you can get really arrested, really have your life ruined, really get shot dead.

      In a game you can act out in complete security and comfort. All you risk is maybe having to find another game to play.

      Conversely, of course, this also means there is no real valor or heroism in games either. You just get to act out heroism. The next day you can back to the cube farm, or mailroom, or whatever, to earn the payments on your nice car.

      In short, the game, however closely it may mimic real life, is just a game.

      Anyone who loses sight of this simple fact is heading for trouble.

      KFG

  4. Screw taxation as social engineering by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This game tax was supposed to fix runaway inflation by changing behavior by giving 'players an incentive to get rid of things they don't really want any more.' In the real world people are getting sick of taxation as social engineering. Taxation should be about funding the government.