Domestic T1 D5: Happiness Strategies

[MOTH]

It looks like this is my area to lead discussions. Sorry for the oversight until now.

The strategic discussions of Happiness could impact decissions affecting the Director of Commerce, the Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Governors.

There are 6 ways to address happiness in our cities and prevent them from rioting:
Luxury Resources, Luxury Spending (slider), Use of Specialists (Clowns, Scientists, Taxmen, etc.), Happiness Buildings (temple, markets, etc), and Military Police, and last (but not least) keeping the population small by building workers and settlers.

We currently have Wine to keep the people drunk and happy, but this only goes so far.

So, as for happiness strategy for the next 20-50 turns I see only one practical method of control:
Luxury Spending via the slider supplemented by occasional Military Police. In extreme cases where a corrupt city cannot produce enough luxury to keep its people happy it should switch to a specialist and produce workers to reduce its population.

This seems like such a no-brainer that it will not be polled unless there are dissenting opinions posted.

As for very long term happiness plans (ie: beyond 50 turns), I propose no changes in the Strategy. This is of course open to discussion.

An additional point on my position: Temples should never be built for the purpose of provide happiness. The only reason they should be built is to provide for local culture.

[DaveShack]

I agree that for the short term there is little to discuss, however you might be surprised later in the game. We occasionally have a citizen so anti-entertainer that 10% luxury spending will be requested when only 1 of 10 cities has a problem.

Thanks for taking care of this.

[greekguy]

i agree. this early in the game we just need the luxury slider on 10% and some MP. that should keep things quiet.

[mad-bax]

Yes but.... We will have cities at different sizes. We therefore need to decide whether we hike the slider long term for a few size 7 plus cities, or use 2 MPs in these cities to keep the slider down. Alternatively we can shave workers and settlers off big cities to keep their population down. It affects build queues and military planning, not to mention commerce and research. It shouldn't be dismissed too easily.

[MOTH]

Very little discussion here either (as expected).

The Slider will be used to adjust for happiness during the next 30-50 turns at least.