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[breadbocks]

Ah, but see, force is the ultimate non-refundable transaction, to put it in terms your kind will understand. You do something that for whatever reason causes us to cause damage to you, and then you can't strike back. Isn't it nice how that works?

[forsaken1111]

Ah, but see, force is the ultimate non-refundable transaction, to put it in terms your kind will understand. You do something that for whatever reason causes us to cause damage to you, and then you can't strike back. Isn't it nice how that works?

It is still a ridiculous policy. Say a man is in your store and someone fires an explosive projectile at him. You do not want this projectile to explode, because it would damage your store, so you stop it using some defensive system. You're saying that it makes perfect sense to then murder the man, because he did not help you develop that defensive system and he surely would have died without it. Again, if this will be your policy, I will simply not participate in the project at all and I will make arrangements to leave earth as soon as is feasible.

[Sheb]

Well, billing you mean you contribute to the MDI. We're back to step 1: Either you contribute to missile defense (whether your own or the MDI, for the latter either by researching technology, building components or setting up your own bases on the moon) or you're not entitled to missile protection.

If you're not entitled to missile protection and someone shoot at you, we think it's better for you to get the damage in the form of Meson shots that missile explosions. Of course, if you shoot down those missiles, or manage not to get shot at, we won't have to change the damage from missiles to mesons.

We could set up some kind of insurances policies where you get billed for the service. But we would have to negociate it beforehand (because there is no time to talk in the 5 seconds between missile detection and impacts) and it wouldn't be different from actually contributing to the MDI.

[Sheb]

Oh, and I know it may sound harsh, but if we don't do that, no-one will have any incentive to fund the MDI. Also, I think it funny that you wouldn't have any trouble if we just let the missiles fall on your face, but find disgusting that we're shooting you afterward.

[forsaken1111]

By billing I mean exactly that, you require me to pay for the service. Committing what amounts to extortion is better than damaging my property for no reason other than that I refused to participate in a project. I don't understand why you're continuing to talk about it anyway, I already said I'm willing to contribute production capacity to building the things once you finish the plans. You persisted in the silly ranting about shooting me after I agreed to do that... I don't understand why.

I maintain that it is a stupid and barbaric policy to fire upon anyone you happen to save if they don't help you build the missile defenses.

[breadbocks]

We ARE charging you. Just in a non monetary value.

[forsaken1111]

We ARE charging you. Just in a non monetary value.

Why don't we fire upon the one who launched the missiles instead? I don't understand this policy of instant aggressive action towards the victim of an attack. It is idiotic and backwards.

[Falknor]

Posting to watch the thread.

Also, sorry I missed a fun idea for a game.

[breadbocks]

We ARE charging you. Just in a non monetary value.

Why don't we fire upon the one who launched the missiles instead? I don't understand this policy of instant aggressive action towards the victim of an attack. It is idiotic and backwards.

To enforce that you can't mooch off our collective efforts. Put some work towards it, or you don't get the protection of it.

[forsaken1111]

We ARE charging you. Just in a non monetary value.

Why don't we fire upon the one who launched the missiles instead? I don't understand this policy of instant aggressive action towards the victim of an attack. It is idiotic and backwards.

To enforce that you can't mooch off our collective efforts. Put some work towards it, or you don't get the protection of it.

Very well, I won't participate at all then. It is an unconscionable policy that I will not support.

[Nirur Torir]

You might want to fire whoever's in charge of public relations. At the rate you're going, you'll be completely annexed by someone within three years of the planetary defense grid's completion.

[forsaken1111]

I apologize for having principles and not simply going along with whatever you decide.


The point is that I offered a reasonable alternative to the "Shoot the victim" policy, that being force the victim to pay monetary value for stopping the missiles. If that isn't good enough, then you're not civilized enough to be an ally anyway. Only a fool could think shooting someone is a good payment for their desire for independence.

[Zorgn]

Hardly even started, and I'm already loving this. Thanks guys. 


I see the current MDI policy as a town that charges a yearly fee for their fire department. If someone doesn't help pay the fire department's yearly upkeep, they still have to come and put out any fires on their property, to keep the houses on the other sides from catching fire. But the one not paying their fire insurance or whatever still rightfully should have had their house burn down, so the city comes back the next morning with a bulldozer and flattens the house.

It's not nice, no, but it makes certain the rest of the town pays to keep the fire department running cause they know damn good and well the city has a bulldozer and a will to use it.

[Pwnzerfaust]

Oh god damnit, why do I always see these things too late?

Is there any chance there's an opening for one more? Or is it closed?

[forsaken1111]

Hardly even started, and I'm already loving this. Thanks guys. 


I see the current MDI policy as a town that charges a yearly fee for their fire department. If someone doesn't help pay the fire department's yearly upkeep, they still have to come and put out any fires on their property, to keep the houses on the other sides from catching fire. But the one not paying their fire insurance or whatever still rightfully should have had their house burn down, so the city comes back the next morning with a bulldozer and flattens the house.

It's not nice, no, but it makes certain the rest of the town pays to keep the fire department running cause they know damn good and well the city has a bulldozer and a will to use it.

It's also a policy that would spark lawsuits and likely get a mayor run out of town.

What happens in real life is that if you don't pay your fire insurance, either they let your house burn down or they bill you for the emergency response.