[MUD-Dev] Declaration of the Rights of Avatars

[Eli Stevens]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Raph Koster" <rkoster at austin.rr.com>
To: "MUD-DEV" <mud-dev at kanga.nu>
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2000 12:00 AM
Subject: [MUD-Dev] Declaration of the Rights of Avatars


> This is in the nature of a thought experiment. I've had it around for a
> while. It is based on the Declaration of the Rights of Man and on the Bill
> of Rights. It is intentionally controversial. Please argue. :) If you
think
> it's ridiculous, please give arguments why this is so. If you like, start
> separate threads for each article.

[snip]

> 13. A common contribution may, at the discretion of the individual who
> maintains the hardware, the software, and the data that make up the
virtual
> space, be required in order to maintain the existence of avatars who
enforce
> the code of conduct and to maintain the hardware and the software and the
> continued existence of the virtual space. Avatars have the right to know
the
> nature and amount of the contribution in advance, and said required
> contribution should be equitably distributed among all the citizens
without
> regard to their social position; special rights and privileges shall never
> pertain to the avatar who contributes more except insofar as the special
> powers and privileges require greater resources from the hardware,
software,
> data store, or administrator manpower, and would not be possible save for
> the resources obtainable with the contribution; and as long as any and all
> avatars are able to make this contribution and therefore gain the powers
and
> privileges if they so choose; nor shall any articles of this declaration
be
> contingent upon a contribution being made.

Hmm.  I have some questions about this, so I am going to copy this again and
pick it apart in more detail.


> 13. A common contribution may, at the discretion of the individual who
> maintains the hardware, the software, and the data that make up the
virtual
> space, be required in order to maintain the existence of avatars who
enforce
> the code of conduct and to maintain the hardware and the software and the
> continued existence of the virtual space. Avatars have the right to know
the
> nature and amount of the contribution in advance,

All this I agree with, provided that "maintain the existence" includes the
necessity of the administrator earning a living for his/her/their work.

> and said required
> contribution should be equitably distributed among all the citizens
without
> regard to their social position;

I think that "social position" needs a more exact (not narrower, more exact)
definition.

> special rights and privileges shall never
> pertain to the avatar who contributes more except insofar as the special
> powers and privileges require greater resources from the hardware,
software,
> data store, or administrator manpower, and would not be possible save for
> the resources obtainable with the contribution;

Would this put Achaea in violation then?  As I understand their system
working, players have to pay RL money if they wish to improve skills.
However, they have no access charges.  Hmm, it might be possible to say that
more powerful characters require harder game areas, and so you have more
creation/administration costs...

I think, for the purposes of this document, that if there are fees beyond
the common charge, they (and the benefit they provide) should be optional,
but the costs for such luxuries should be spelled out before the person
makes any comitment to the community.  I think it is too restrictive as it
is currently worded.  Luxuries in the real word cost extra, why should they
not in a virtual one (if the designer is so inclined)(this is a real
question, are there good arguments why virtual luxuries should not cost?)?

> and as long as any and all
> avatars are able to make this contribution and therefore gain the powers
and
> privileges if they so choose;

I think that without choosing an acceptable definition of "able" this
statement will prohibit any extra contribution for special powers.  Give an
example of extra contribution, and someone will be able to contrive a reason
why they could not give it.

> nor shall any articles of this declaration be
> contingent upon a contribution being made.

When I first read this, I thought it meant the "powers and privileges"
mentioned above.  Now, am I correct in assuming that what you mean is "you
don't have to pay for your rights"?  I wonder because this could be
construed to mean something like "you don't have to pay for your avatar,
your access or your rights".


<//> Silence is golden           RUIN, v.  To destroy.            <\\>
 ||  Eli                         Specifically, to destroy a maid's ||
 ||  wickedgrey at wickedgrey.com   belief in the virtue of maids.    ||
<\\> www.wickedgrey.com            -- Ambrose Bierce              <//>






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