Anyone else never use Slavery?

[aimlessgun]

Not because I don't think it's good. But because of...moral objections I guess.

I mean, straight whipping people to death to build stuff for you? On top of all the horrible things that go with slavery IRL...

I guess this is maybe a touch of hypocrisy since I have happily nuked people in games, but I've just never once used slavery because it felt wrong.

 

[ETa]

Not because I don't think it's good. But because of...moral objections I guess.

I mean, straight whipping people to death to build stuff for you? On top of all the horrible things that go with slavery IRL...

I guess this is maybe a touch of hypocrisy since I have happily nuked people in games, but I've just never once used slavery because it felt wrong.

Civilization like all strategy games are just versions of chess with a resource allocation problem. Unfortunately it also tells us something of the world we live in and what kind of beast the human being is.

 

[huh?]

For the longest time in Civilization I never used the whip. For me it was some sort of moral hangup.

Then I realized it is a game, and not a political or social statement.

 

[mariogreymist]

I'm lucky enough to live in a country whose whole economy is dependent on the twin legacies of slavery and genocide. That means having moral objections to performing either in a game would be quite shallow absent a firm commitment to destroy my own country, returning the land to the first nations' people and pay back wages to the descendants of slaves. Morality in the face of the sheer scope of historic injustice is a small thing.

Hence: As long as my neighbors are going to use the whip, I won't let them get ahead by not using it myself.

 

[Duo]

if the people get whipped it is their own fault for being so unruly!

 

[Protozoan]

Sean Price is the master y'all,
y'all a slave to the rhythm.
So after I finish rappin I whip 'em, P!
(whup-pushhh)

 

[Brownsfan02]

same here, i just used slavery for the first time 2 days ago and only because louis backstabbed me and declared war on me when he was pleased. I only used it to build emergency troops.

 

[kungfudan]

Ha! Yeah, it took me a long time to get over that too and just approach it as a part of a game.

My latest hangup like that I just realized is that I'll gladly sacrifice catapults and trebuchets in battles but am very reluctant to sacrifice other units. Because there's a little person swinging the sword or firing the cannon I've been too sympathetic for each one's welfare but I need to look at all of them like I do catapults.

 

[awesome]

Sean Price is the master y'all,
y'all a slave to the rhythm.
So after I finish rappin I whip 'em, P!
(whup-pushhh)

you just earned cool points for finding a way to sneak sean p lyrics into a conversation.

 

[kochman]

Not because I don't think it's good. But because of...moral objections I guess.

I mean, straight whipping people to death to build stuff for you? On top of all the horrible things that go with slavery IRL...

I guess this is maybe a touch of hypocrisy since I have happily nuked people in games, but I've just never once used slavery because it felt wrong.

This is the dumbest post I have seen at this site. Moral objection to a game function?
Dude, it's a computer GAME. Get over it... or don't

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[Protozoan]

you just earned cool points for finding a way to sneak sean p lyrics into a conversation.

Haha yes! Another Sean Price fan!

@kochman, or it could be that he's really involved/immersed in the game, which I think Civ IV has done to nearly everyone else here.

 

[rabidveggie]

I don't whip. I am a kind and benevolent King who respects his people. Cross me though and I'll burn all your cities down.

 

[skyclad]

if the people get whipped it is their own fault for being so unruly!

Absolutely right! If they stopped complaining and refusing to work maybe I could get some production another way! Stupid slaves...

 

[Sydney Posada]

That's one of the things that's fascinating about civ. You can play it like a straight strategy game akin to chess. Or you can play it like a strategy game that treats the AI as other players, giving yourself a code of ethics in how you deal with them (whether or not it's beneficial for you to do so). Or you can just role-play it completely, assuming the guise of your leader and trying your hardest to do the right thing for your empire and your people.

Now that I think about it, perhaps I will try to role-play a bleeding heart liberal, never using slavery and going for Free Speech, Free Religion, Universal Suffrage, etc. as soon as possible. Never declaring war, building up culture, and going for a diplomatic victory. Probably wouldn't fly on Emperor, but maybe Prince or Noble...

 

[Protozoan]

If anything Civ's made me realize how much of an imperialist I am. I mean, we criticize those in power, but when we have some sort of power we'd probably do the same-->At least I would.

 

[pesgores]

I never use it because I am afraid of slave revolts and losing population while gaining unhappiness in exchange.

 

[Sydney Posada]

I never use it because I am afraid of slave revolts and losing population while gaining unhappiness in exchange.

As long as you only do it once per 10 turns, then it'll only cost you one unhappiness.

And a piece of your soul...

 

[fenrus]

I used to whip at every opportunity I got, but now I do it a lot less. Playing on Emperor, having 4 pop instead of 5 pop is a pretty big difference in worked tiles and specialists.

After I get my key buildings up, (Granary, Library), I usually never touch the whip button again unless if the city has massive excess food or if I need emergency military.

 

[aimlessgun]

Hehe interesting to see other people were also a little shy of it.

This is the dumbest post I have seen at this site. Moral objection to a game function?
Dude, it's a computer GAME. Get over it... or don't

This is also the internet, assuming people are intense mode seriousface is almost always incorrect. I realize it is a strategy game.

But like Sydney and others have said, if you always just play it as a 100% strategy game I think you're missing something. My gaming background includes a fair amount of stuff like DnD, and the roleplaying opportunities in Civ are a big reason I play. The games I can make good storylines out of are my favorite.

it'll only cost you one unhappiness.

And a piece of your soul...

Haha. Maybe to get over my weird objection to whipping I'll roleplay a game as the most evil SOB possible.

 

[Sonereal]

I use it all the time when I can't be bothered to increase the culture counter to make my cities happy.

City too crowded making you mad? Then you'll be happy to know that after you're done building my castle, it won't be a problem any longer.

I also use it to cure (ironically I suppose) unhealthiness in the short term.

Besides, I often roleplay my games which leads to strange situations where the powerful decadent kingdom is still using serfs and has vassals well into the modern age.

If people are going to raise moral objections about slavery in this game, I'm going to raise an objection to the idea that the only way to destroy a civilization is to commit to a genocidal total war against one's enemies, including the complete destruction of their culture.