Economics?
Economics would have us believe in the principles of supply and demand. As we demand, a supply is met. MMORPG economics would show that RMT activity hinders players ability to enjoy the game. What is RMT? It is a group of people who artificially affect the economy so as to make a real monetary profit from other gamers. There is a demand for in-game currency which is met by farmers who farm and sell currency. As a result the relative value of the currency becomes worthless, and prices are inflated in worst case scenarios 'through the roof'. RMT activity is generally considered bad. Profiteering at the expense of others in a server is a culture that is slowly earning a bad name. Players who have been flagged for RMT activity are usually deleted. It raises the bar so that players who do wish to participate this illegal/immoral activity are handicapped. This widens the gap between players, leading to difference and friction and fear. Poeple feel justified at charging more for simple things. The focus changes from experiencing the game together to who can get the best thing first. When there is uncontrolled RMT activity, it affects the economy adversely. When there is a free market trade and a stable economy, people find it easier to be their best. It is a faster process because others around you want you to be your best too. At the end of the day, what I require to be my best is not the same as other people. And if we can all be good at what we do, we can create an infinite possibility of things. The thing we have to ask ourselves is do prices really have to correspond to availability. What is wrong with simply having a waiting list? Everybody wants something exclusive. When there is a waiting list, the object has a higher value, without a higher price. Which is more important to us, the value of an object or its price. While they are similar, they are not the same thing.
Life is a game. Earth is our server. What can we make it become?
Life is a game. Earth is our server. What can we make it become?
Labels: a tear in the page
posted by Seython at 2:38 pm
2 Comments:
I hope people will dream big
Jeremy Sim
Which is more important to us, the value of an object or its price.
Damo Lius in this age of consumerism, its often the latter.
Jeremy Sim Too bad right? Lots of people don't know what they want because they don't value what they have. I wonder how many people can imagine a system that the world can run on ensuring that an object is valued despite its price. Rather, how many people know what they want.
Terry Tong Interesting point though... Rather philosophical when applied to the non-material.
Damo Lius Thatd be an interesting concept to discuss. It might have to happen sooner rather than later though, capitalism is destroying our planet.
Chong Siew Lian Some things will never be for sale!!!
Jeremy Sim
When I wrote that I was thinking along the lines of how some items have a waiting list. Waiting gives value, it gives you time to imagine the various ways you can experience your wants and desires, or makes you realise you didn't need it at... all. Somewhere along the line I wonder if the relationship between supply and demand necessitates the relationship between availability and price. If it all comes down to a question of greed, are we willing to accept that people are fundamentally greedy? People will charge as much as they can. If so, at what point can we trust another human being. And when we allow another into our lives should we accept or expect to be manipulated for personal gain and profit as a fundamental part of human nature. Of course all people are different and we do not necessarily have to take one view. However, the issue is, consumerism sustains a mode of thinking that seems to make cynicism necessary.
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