My campaign strategy is not a difficult one to grasp. I wish to represent all players. You do not need to be part of a large alliance. You do not need to go along with the status quo. Your voice is as important as anyone else’s. I’ve been adamant and steadfast in this belief despite much criticism over the years.
I’ve been called idealistic. Yes, I do believe in ideals and work diligently towards raising standards to be in line with those ideals.
I’ve been called naive. If believing in the inherent rights of every individual is naive, then yes, I will continue to listen to every player in an unbiased fashion, not simply lending my strength of opinion to the current popular topic.
I’ve been called a three time loser. Yes, I have lost my previous attempts to secure a seat on the CSM three times past. I may lose this one as well. In that limited and literal sense, I have lost. Does it make me a loser? No. Hiding behind the internet, hiding behinds the skirts of large corporations, calling someone else a loser who is out there and trying to stand by their convictions, well, nothing more to say on this one.
There is hope. There are those that understand my platform. It’s not to say I don’t have opinions, but I offer something more … wisdom.
DATA
Raw symbols and signs that have no significance outside of itself. I can tell you how many players there are. I can tell you how many are alt accounts. I can look up any of the stats on the game map. Any of us can look up a historical view of that information on Dotlan. CCP can provide countless statistics and raw data values pertaining to any aspect of the game, but on its own, it’s meaningless.
INFORMATION
Data that has been given meaning by creating context around that data. This is how opinions are formed. This is how debates begin. Interpretations of data. Discussions of data. The data has now been given shape and had perspective applied to it.
KNOWLEDGE
A collection of information combined with relevant experience and reasoning to bring about a new understanding where there was none to be held previously. This is how most players envision the CSM – they should be knowledgeable. Some players believe they should be specialized in one particular area of the game, bringing vast stores of knowledge to bear, and that the CSM should be made up of 14 individuals with differing specializations and also superficial knowledge of all areas of the game.
We’ve seen how well that has worked thus far.
WISDOM
The application of knowledge that asks questions where there were none before. To me, this is what the CSM is all about. As I’ve explained, data, information and to a degree, knowledge are easy to come by. It’s what we do with that knowledge that matters. Few people can ask the questions that helps knowledge progress. It is not a shortcoming on their end. There are always those that have the capacity to drive things forward.
I am one of them.
My dilemma is that while this has worked for me well in my real life endeavours, it has failed for me in my CSM pursuits. I’ve asked past CSM members, current CSM candidates and others to share their knowledge, to ask those wise questions, and together, the answer revealed itself.
I’m good in person.
Unfortunately, the nature of our game doesn’t allow for me to sit down and have a genuine face to face with players. This continues to work against me.
I’ve been advised to simply play the political game. To do whatever I need to do to get elected. Even to record myself stating such so that I can recant it once on the CSM and stand by my morals once in the position I desire.
That sounds a lot like “The ends justifies the means” to me.
I simply will not do it. I will not compromise my integrity. I will not waver in my stance and views. I will continue to represent every player even if I do not secure a seat on the CSM.
Is this wise?
We’ll all find out on April 27th. Together.
ROC'S RAMBLINGS 
‘I’ve been advised to simply play the political game. To do whatever I need to do to get elected. Even to record myself stating such so that I can recant it once on the CSM and stand by my morals once in the position I desire.
That sounds a lot like “The ends justifies the means” to me.
I simply will not do it. I will not compromise my integrity. I will not waver in my stance and views. I will continue to represent every player even if I do not secure a seat on the CSM.’
You know my position on this Roc. It’s much, much, much more difficult (but not impossible I may add) to represent anyone from outwith the CSM than it is from in. When you put your own integrity above the needs of the players that calls into question why you are standing in the first place.
If you were to achieve what you have stated you will achieve if elected to CSM (and I have no doubt that you would) then in this case, the end does entirely justify the means. And you could be that voice to the people that you want to be. It’s a real shame and a real disappointment to be honest. I’ve used the word ‘selfish’ before and it sounds harsh but I think, 4th election in, it’s totally true.
And you know I respect you and you aren’t alone in having expressed these sentiments to me.
The question for me is that were I to adopt that approach and secure a seat, would the man that stood initially remain intact? Would the integrity still be there? Or would I be simply another candidate that said something only to change what they do once on the CSM.
Yeah, 4th election in, my strategy hasn’t been solid but I have seen it raise awareness each year and in some ways that is of value.
Selfish because we both know I could do great good on the CSM? Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m too close to it to see it objectively.
I do appreciate you commenting.
‘The question for me is that were I to adopt that approach and secure a seat, would the man that stood initially remain intact? Would the integrity still be there? Or would I be simply another candidate that said something only to change what they do once on the CSM.’
This is an entirely different point and one I can’t answer but I’ll take a guess at. You are an exceptionally strong-willed person who does whatever he says he will. I have no doubt whatsoever that once elected, however you achieved it, ‘Roc’ would be there in the CSM, not some pale imitation.
‘Selfish’ because I believe you could do a lot of good and that you are (in my opinion) not choosing the best strategy for election out of personal misgivings. What you can achieve for the players as a member of the CSM has to be more important.
As always, I say this as someone who believes you could achieve great things if elected 🙂
I always welcome the discussion, even if I were offended which is difficult to do.
So, personal misgivings vs. greater good. If players believe in the integrity on which I stand, yet I compromise it to get elected, would that not be contradictory? It appears to be a catch 22 to me no matter how I look it. If I do compromise and am elected, then I am being dishonest to those that got me elected because the reasons they voted for me may not be representative of the man.
It’s all conjecture at this point anyway, but I do find it interesting.
Hmm. I know it wouldn’t surprise you to see my foot in this one. I was rejected an assistant supervisor position for being “too analytical”, called rebellious and insubordinate. I keep to myself and make shared concerns known. I say things only once. I said, Because I’m talking to adults, not children. Yeah, I’m often short with some people, yet I know you deal with people the same way. Every mind is receptive, but not necessarily responsive. We roll with the punches, and that’s why looking for something to bitch about is hard to do, when you have plenty to worry about. The CSM has become only as effective as how much one CSM can stomp and cry the loudest. I read the CSM definition and when I read each candidates declaration, why is yours the only one that fits in line with what an elected member should be doing: representing the players, not themselves. We could go on for a long time about this. In the end, there will be only one candidate that can glance back and see nothing has changed, or compromised. Roc solid.
Ugh. I want to add that I’m not an insubordinate ass. Management crosses the line sometimes and when they do, I reference law and common sense, and they call me a rebel. I’m a hard worker and really do try to respect authority, but some times it’s hard to not pull your hand out from under an oversized boot.