Elitists

EVE Online is the biggest MMO game ever. Yes, it is bigger than World of Warcraft, though the latter has several times more players, to be fair. It is also in my opinion to be one of the best MMO games ever, not just because it's spaceships and sci-fi instead of the overdone medieval fantasy genre, but also because unlike a lot of games, EVE encourages you to plot your own path in the game rather than hold your hand and guide you the way. You set your own objectives, your own time frame to achieve it and whatever means you prefer in getting there.

I suppose because it requires more thought and work on the player's behalf that some become very proud of what they can achieve. And with little game/dev restrictions on the level of freedom a player gets, there's so many varied ways to do things, but as always, a certain group would soon find a most efficient method among the myriad possibilities, and soon would start proclaiming its ascendency.

All that is fine enough, but probably because a lack of an imposing authority, the elite players soon become the authorities themselves. And they're first order of business is to make sure everyone steps in line to their ways or squash those budding newbies (noobs) who wants to go on different paths.

EVE to me was to represent a freedom of choice, but while we still can do that, it must be done with our ears red hot from listening to untold reprimands and criticism as to WHY WE SHOULD NOT DO IT. Does it kill you to just provide support or kind words of advice and encouragement when somebody wants to do something different? Or the very least just voice a light note of disagreement rather than outright squashing that person, publicly at that?

Do you lose anything if the player does a grievious error and has to pay for it? It's all part of his learning experience. I can tell right now that if I hadn't make mistakes before, I would be still ignorant in many facets to the realities and mechanics of the game. Sometimes a lesson has to be learnt the hard way. We complain how our parents restrict us from doing things we like and all that, and we know because of those restrictions we do not get the exposure and experience others would, yet when we are placed in similiar positions, we do the same thing, which is try to make others conform to your mindset.

To be honest, I hate elitist like these. I know some people think I'm elite in some things (not necessarily EVE) but my point of view is that the higher you get, the more obliged you are to be humble, helpful, polite and supportive. There is a basis to such thoughts in creating a civil, enlightened, progressive society instead of one dominated by bullies.

Differing views should be encouraged, and explored, and discussed. I want to tell you now that many great military geniuses in history achieved their fame by exploiting conformed mindsets and doing things differently. They don't stick to a set plan doggedly, but adapt and improvise almost constantly.

Going beyond simple gaming and EVE, we look at figures like Hannibal who defeated one of the largest Roman field army of the day using a small handful of his veteran soldiers backed in larger numbers of low quality local 'barbarian' troops. And this was against an enemy superior in numbers, weapons and technology. He won because he knew and exploited the standard Roman method of fighting of the day.

Romans later would win against Macedon, a county that is partly descendent of Alexander the great's empire. They had discipline, and is mostly equal to the Romans themselves, not to mention the sarissa, or long pikes their infantry use as the primary arm of the army has reach far beyond that of the Roman gladius. Yet, they are inflexible and that inherent inflexibility is what Rome exploited. They could have won against Rome if only they had adapted and continually evaluate the viability of their doctrines.

On another reading, more closer to our time, examines the reason why Arab armies always lose to a western or western based army. They key here again, is flexibility, adaptibility. Arab soldiers are just as hardy, disciplined and dogged in fighting as any. But in terms of command structure, they fear deviating from any preset plans thus even as the fluid motions of battle renders those doctrines and plans obsolete, they still cling on to it fervently. Ultimately this led them easily exploited by their enemies. All because of narrow foresight.

Coming to back to the Elitists; they are the group of people who are at the top, and because they are there, they think that theyre method of getting there is the best, and should be the only way to do so. They intend, whether they see it or not, to set what to conform to for others. In fact they discourage attempts to deviate from their plans in many, many ways possible.

In many ways, I think the Elitists look down on people. I don't think it's so often the case that the ideas others want to try out is ALL THE TIME, ALWAYS idiotic. It's likely that just because others have aspects the Elites look down on, whether one lacks the duration of experience, a certain character trait, or an unpreferred likings to some things, the Elites will look down on these people and would harshly, and quickly try to dismiss any intent voiced by such groups. And that's really it, isnt it? You look down on people. You think you are better.

You would think your ways are perfect and that voicing for any other way is simply a validation on why you would look down on people. The real fact of the matter is that by doing so, you have set yourself up for a fall. Yes, you did.

Why?

Because you the Elite have made yourself inflexible, predictable, unimaginative and overconfident

And the day I or any other underdogs finally pull you down from your lofty seat way up there and back to the gritty dirty earth below and trample over you and your inflexible ways, that will be the day of days for me, as I see the smug expression wiped off your face in shame and in turn the underdogs will now laugh back at you.

.....

okay, I think I didn't get enough sleep and I'm feeling very bitter, moody and definitely spiteful at the moment... but the main point stands.

Elitists. Bah. I spit on you.