The Pettiness of War
14 Apr 2021Monkey Knuts
I spoke yesterday of the regret that I felt about a war that has broken out in my system. I spoke of pity and of my frustration with the seemingly pointless show of force between the squadrons. Privately I received messages of support and consternation in equal measure. My own squadron saw it not as an ode to peace however but a rallying cry to fight harder. I reached out to the other side, I stepped up as an envoy of peace as matters continued to escalate before finally a meeting was arranged. My role in this matter was questioned as I lacked neither the rank or experience to bring this demand for peace forward.
I do not see this a matter of rank or privilege. I have spoken before about the pettiness of this conflict. I am not interested in the ego stroking or a battleship surrender for the cameras. I seek only peace so that I may go about my business without fear of bullying or reprisal. I do not lead my squadron, I do not seek leadership, I seek peace and quiet; two things that are impossible so long as bullies beat their chests and measure their anatomy in my system.
I called their leader a bully yesterday as he held all of the hallmarks of being of that persuasion. Whilst that attribution has been contested I am yet to see a reason to make amends. Should that change however then I will not hesitate to retract this assessment in kind. It should also be noted that I do not seek a surrender or an apology from either side for disrupting my tea. My interest lies squarely with removing the barriers to normal play for those among us that have no interest in fighting over who can recruit more and who gets more thanks. You may not wish to deal with me but you can not ask those that have no interest in playing with you to join in with your game. That moment has passed. You sent them away and now they don't want to play any more. That may hurt to hear but that is life. Sometimes when you push a kid over in the playground then offer to let them play with you; you mustn't be surprised that they might turn around and say no.
I make it no secret, through a logbook or through private correspondence, I seek peace. I do not pander to ego, I do not negotiate in bad faith, I ask for no concessions beyond that of mutual respect.
You want content? Then ask the developers or let us put our minds together and build a competitive atmosphere to work in. Let us coexist in peace and build a friendly rivalry or a coalition but do not pretend that attacking new players or young people is anything short of shameful; irrespective of their squadron tag. We can look to create tourneys of combat, racing, mining or exploration. We can see who can expand our systems faster or raise the happiness of our supporters into new heights, all without the need for war between us.
Perhaps a warning to my own squadron too. The vitriol that spouts from the mouths of members new and old, the desire for bloodshed and the frenzied response to baiting from the other side must end. You may enjoy the war now, you may even feel that you should take up arms and try your luck but to what end? I was so incredibly frustrated when a member of the other side sent a message to us suggesting one of our family was allegedly breaking the rules and instead of taking that on board it devolved into a slanging match. You risk becoming the very thing that you're fighting against by following this path.
We are all human, we are real and we are coming home to rest after whatever day it is that we have had. There are factions in this universe, countless systems each with their own problems and achievements, there are always wars to fight, famines to beat and booms to capitalise from. There are organisations that pander to the three main powers that control our fates just waiting for your attention. All of these are controlled by a system that is busy stitching a rich tapestry together for us to enjoy...together. This war that we're fighting now is not like that. It is a fight based on the ego of other humans of varying ages and maturity. Their egos are bruised and they're taking it out on all of us for no other reason than they can. You give them power by rising to their baiting.
So let us meet this evening, let us discuss what it is that has brought us to this day and let us find a way to move forward together. Not as Commanders, or Leaders, or Pirates but as Humans trying to get by in the universe.
Then finally I might be able to return to honking into the black and sipping my tea.