The human quest for Freedom: Zion and its evolution

--- Outline ---

(Earlier this evening, my girl was playing through the Tutorial, the observation of which got me thinking to):

 ... how different things are within the Simulation compared to how they once were. Especially in relation to the newly awakened and how they are expected to fit in to their fantastical new environment; their perspective on what they considered most of their lives to be right and just and correct and familiar, almost completely changed.

A question of particular prevalence which was raised is why is it that there is such an urging on the newly awakened to consider their surroundings, viewpoints and circumstances and thusly come to the conclusion of which course of action and - most lastingly - which allegiance they would like to make as a result.

--- Then ---

Once was, that an Operative new to the Simulation would appear as a kitten opening its eyes for the first time to the world around them. Sleepy, groggy, a little confused and overwhelmed by a host of new sensations and experiences. They would face no doubt the biggest decision of their lives so far in what they would consider real... what of their old lives while still connected to the pods would hold lasting relevance with their new discovery that the consequences of their entire life had been resulting as the course of causes from a computer simulation.

          No doubt, they would hide behind the shield of Zion, which to its credit still stands to this day, protecting the newly awakened from the forces which may seek to iradicate and, at the least, bring harm to them. A barrier between the individual and the outside world (Outside used in the context of the both the traditionally considered "Real" and the Matrix itself) which could be ventured out from behind, when it was considered safe to do so. Also, a safe confine which allows each new recruit to consider their new lifestyle entirely; a contemplation without fear of danger or retalliation.

Many an Operative would continue their service to Zion. Being given now the chance to awaken others. To rest their fellow man, woman and child from the false existance created by the machines. Instantly, an ill will toward the machines has been created for having the gaul to imprison their fellow human in such a cage, however now and again, an Operative would conceed to this point. Perhaps deciding that the Machines had the right idea; that those who wish to remain plugged into the Matrix (those who had made the decision on either an unconscious level or had accepted the choice of the bluepill) had a right to do so, and that the best way to ensure this and to ensure also the continued existance of both the Machines and of Mankind would be to work either with or for the Machines directly.

              They would leave their former safe haven to do so.

Further but few Operative would also decide to work, eventually, for the Merovingian. Whether to further their personal power base, to enjoy a standard, comfort and luxury of living which would be otherwise unafforded to them or that they had come to the conclusion that the Exiles had as much right and priveledge to continued existance as either themeslelves; humans - the Machines, or both.

              They would leave their former safe haven to do so.

--- Now ---

Now, however, such a decision is encouraged, influenced and almost expected from almost immediately after awakening. Perhaps to blame, is the split between traditional Zionist ideaologies and the Council and Zion military and civial commanders. Perhaps, that now, as opposed to during any of the previous wars, (to the best of our knowledge), that there is no immediate threat of death within the Simulation due to the EJP. Perhaps, that now, we can become reliant upon the continued existance of the Simulation aswell as the more or less survival of the majority of bluepills.

          That there is less of an urgency and importance to the majority of affairs conducted within the Simulation.

Further in discussion, can be held the Exiles and Machines themselves.

--- Question ---

However, the main question to which I arrived was why it is that a decision which would essentially define each individual as such - their main organisational allegiance, has become something of a hurried, and sometimes, uninformed choice - depsite many's best efforts to ensure prior information and considered selection.

A very good question X. What do we base our decisions on now? Basicly what other tell us. Which for the most part isnt what they need to know.

((hmmm... hard to address this question IC, it seems to me largely a game mechanics question.

The rush to ally is probably exacerbated by the overall lack of population to the game. Factions want members pretty badly, and new players need help, so they readily accept the advances of recruiters without a lot of thought.

From an IC perspective, this does seem to rush the decision. If I thought that most people playing this game thought deeply about it, it might concern me. But I sense even among long-standing players a pre-dominance of people RPing from a self-righteous POV, over the contemplative POV. Lets face it, its easier. Pick a side and fight.

Playing a character who recognizes that all the political groups in this game have their good points and bad points is just too difficult. ))

psilody wrote:

((hmmm... hard to address this question IC, it seems to me largely a game mechanics question.

The rush to ally is probably exacerbated by the overall lack of population to the game. Factions want members pretty badly, and new players need help, so they readily accept the advances of recruiters without a lot of thought.

From an IC perspective, this does seem to rush the decision. If I thought that most people playing this game thought deeply about it, it might concern me. But I sense even among long-standing players a pre-dominance of people RPing from a self-righteous POV, over the contemplative POV. Lets face it, its easier. Pick a side and fight.

Playing a character who recognizes that all the political groups in this game have their good points and bad points is just too difficult. ))

(( While I don't necessarily agree that it's too difficult to play a character more towards the middle than an extreme, the game isn't really structured to assist in this.  I knew how I felt, and how my main would feel, prior to even installing the game, so I just cope with the struggle.  While more of a case with Zionite and Machinist, even the Merovingian's supporters are basically just considered generic human operatives in terms of what the game itself allows and caters to.  Especially now with little to no story character interaction (or liaisons), the rewards for stepping out of the box and trying to do something different are even more minimal than they were before.

If a player hasn't made such a decision before starting, however, then Psilody is exactly right.  The mechanics of the game (inc. Psi's own previously noted issue with team members/mission level/XP) make a quick org/faction decision very appealing, and most players just giving MxO a shot because of a trial or snap decision to try something new probably aren't going to be thinking much about their character and associated IC view before they take the red pill.  Add to that the noted desire for many factions to recruit anyone decent they can find amongst the slim pickings of new players and you have a rough ride for wanting more thought in the selection process. ))

Mm, perhaps then, that one of the most pressing motivations in the decision process being the recruitment attempts from others, due to the novelty of each newly awakened being a rareity.

However, perhaps it may also be a deciding factor for those who decide to remain within the Simulation. I know that, at one point, deciding which organisation to follow, pledge allegiance toward - even with which to associate most closely, not to mention leaving one organisation for another, was one of the biggest decisions an Operative could ever make; it now being lessened if not in importance then in expenditure in time and toward exploration.

Hmm...

Isnt that how it usually goes? Once people start doing it just for the heck of it, it becomes a common thing to do. Some have reasons which are valid but it kind of cheapens it a bit.

XElite wrote:

--- Outline ---

(Earlier this evening, my girl was playing through the Tutorial, the observation of which got me thinking to):

 ... how different things are within the Simulation compared to how they once were. Especially in relation to the newly awakened and how they are expected to fit in to their fantastical new environment; their perspective on what they considered most of their lives to be right and just and correct and familiar, almost completely changed.

A question of particular prevalence which was raised is why is it that there is such an urging on the newly awakened to consider their surroundings, viewpoints and circumstances and thusly come to the conclusion of which course of action and - most lastingly - which allegiance they would like to make as a result.

--- Then ---

Once was, that an Operative new to the Simulation would appear as a kitten opening its eyes for the first time to the world around them. Sleepy, groggy, a little confused and overwhelmed by a host of new sensations and experiences. They would face no doubt the biggest decision of their lives so far in what they would consider real... what of their old lives while still connected to the pods would hold lasting relevance with their new discovery that the consequences of their entire life had been resulting as the course of causes from a computer simulation.

          No doubt, they would hide behind the shield of Zion, which to its credit still stands to this day, protecting the newly awakened from the forces which may seek to iradicate and, at the least, bring harm to them. A barrier between the individual and the outside world (Outside used in the context of the both the traditionally considered "Real" and the Matrix itself) which could be ventured out from behind, when it was considered safe to do so. Also, a safe confine which allows each new recruit to consider their new lifestyle entirely; a contemplation without fear of danger or retalliation.

Many an Operative would continue their service to Zion. Being given now the chance to awaken others. To rest their fellow man, woman and child from the false existance created by the machines. Instantly, an ill will toward the machines has been created for having the gaul to imprison their fellow human in such a cage, however now and again, an Operative would conceed to this point. Perhaps deciding that the Machines had the right idea; that those who wish to remain plugged into the Matrix (those who had made the decision on either an unconscious level or had accepted the choice of the bluepill) had a right to do so, and that the best way to ensure this and to ensure also the continued existance of both the Machines and of Mankind would be to work either with or for the Machines directly.

 

              They would leave their former safe haven to do so.

 

Further but few Operative would also decide to work, eventually, for the Merovingian. Whether to further their personal power base, to enjoy a standard, comfort and luxury of living which would be otherwise unafforded to them or that they had come to the conclusion that the Exiles had as much right and priveledge to continued existance as either themeslelves; humans - the Machines, or both.

 

              They would leave their former safe haven to do so.

 

--- Now ---

Now, however, such a decision is encouraged, influenced and almost expected from almost immediately after awakening. Perhaps to blame, is the split between traditional Zionist ideaologies and the Council and Zion military and civial commanders. Perhaps, that now, as opposed to during any of the previous wars, (to the best of our knowledge), that there is no immediate threat of death within the Simulation due to the EJP. Perhaps, that now, we can become reliant upon the continued existance of the Simulation aswell as the more or less survival of the majority of bluepills.

          That there is less of an urgency and importance to the majority of affairs conducted within the Simulation.

Further in discussion, can be held the Exiles and Machines themselves.

--- Question ---

However, the main question to which I arrived was why it is that a decision which would essentially define each individual as such - their main organisational allegiance, has become something of a hurried, and sometimes, uninformed choice - depsite many's best efforts to ensure prior information and considered selection.

((I'll answer OOC since that is where this thread seems to be dominant.

Aside from depending on the player circumstances in gameplay and leveling, (I think we get more MMO gamers than newbies at this point) some people will want to take a look at how these other orgs run. I was curious what is was like to be a machinist and was glad when they let us make alt characters.

The thing to consider is that machinists and merovingian operatives (or programs depending on what the player is RPing) can still awaken coppertops if they want to. Naturally, if a zionite extracts Sam they are going to recruit them to their org. If a merv recruits Alice, they've probably got a reason and may try to retain her services. The liaison Titchborne worked for the merovingian as a coppertop and knew about the matrix, then was extracted and served as a liaison. So those are some IC examples of a decision making process that has been known to happen.

Then there is the possibility of an operative not being happy with their organization. I'm an example of that for IC and OOC reasons. It just looked like more fun to be EPN and go for the home run rather than be part of the slow chain of command. Plus the factions at the time were too self-righteous to share event information or even consider others' RP which really ticked me off. I went to EPN where no matter what faction you were in, you were all a part of the same faction.

So changing of ideals or even changing methods to attain the same ideals is an IC reason to change orgs. There are some machinists who want to maintain peace and survival so they work for the mechs. The mervs who are just watching the show and in it for their selves are having a blast. The only thing I had trouble with was living arrangements in the Real. I can see that a machinist could leave zion and have their ships recharged on the surface and such details would work out for them. Maybe cyphs, too, but that didn't flesh out early on. But mervs? Where so they sleep? Maybe now that we know they have the General and his sentinals in the Real to look out for thier ships and maybe even recharge them. But what about before Merv gained control over General?))