Poll for technology route until turn 68

[Provolution]

Gentlemen

I am now posting a poll for which main research strategy we should follow the next 25 turns (Turn 43-68). We get sailing next turn

Option 1. Writing-Alphabet-Mathematics
Option 2. Writing-Alphabet-Animal Husbandry
Option 3. Writing-Mathematics-Calendar
Option 4. Writing-Animal Husbandry-Mathematics
Option 5. Write own proposal


Please write only one proposal each player, with the next 3 technologies we should research the next 25 turns.

The two strongest supported options will be polleg against each other in a formal poll.

 

[cav scout]

Writing next. The tech after that will be determined by trade possibilities so its too soon to speculate.

 

[Earthling]

Writing next sounds all right too, which gives us more time for discussion anyway and diplomacy will affect the next techs, so that could be counted as my vote.

I'd actually be willing to commit entirely to Writing => Alphabet if we want, given our current status on exploration, contact, & diplomacy in general. By letting other teams know we are going for Alpha, it gives them a clear picture - "research something worthwhile to trade with us when we get Alpha." But I agree with Writing next, and that will probably end up becoming either Math or Alpha after that. I suspect we'll be able to trade for some other parts of the tech tree with our neighbors or other allies the way things are shaping up (Vikings could have military tech, India religious, or we could find someone willing to commit to a mutual techpath)

If we are to get Animal Husbandry in particular though, doing it now would be cheaper than doing it right after Writing or something for some reason, that could be a waste of beakers. I've said elsewhere that I could live without it, but getting horses would be the only accessible military resource at this time I think, if it's felt that they are needed. Otherwise we'd assume we get this in trade sometime, somebody probably already had animals they've pastured, and likewise we'd trade for Iron Working eventually.

 

[RegentMan]

Either one for me:

Writing --> Alphabet --> Mathematics
Writing --> Mathematics --> Alphabet

It'll probably depend on whether or not we can work out any tech deals in the near future, though.

 

[CharlemagneXLII]

Preferred option: Option 2
Second option: Option 4

 

[cav scout]

Either one for me:

Writing --> Alphabet --> Mathematics
Writing --> Mathematics --> Alphabet

It'll probably depend on whether or not we can work out any tech deals in the near future, though.

Ditto

 

[TyBoy]

I agree that tech deals will hopefully affect things.

I'd vote writing -> alphabet. After that will depend on what we can get for alphabet. I think math may be one of the possibilities for that. If we can't get a military tech in our trading for alphabet I think we will need to be researching one fairly quickly at that point. Optimally we would get math, IW and maybe AH too out of it and would go on to calendar.

We probably need to be clear to everyone we're willing to trade with that we expect to pick up alphabet and would like to trade. The diplomacy of keeping them from realizing that we're hoping to profit greatly from brokering will be tricky.

 

[Bowsling]

Option 5: Writing > Animal Husbandry > Alphabet

 

[Provolution]

Ok, I will summarize the sentiment this far:

Writing is given, that will be researched, unanimously.

I vote writing-alphabet-mathematics

for the 2nd tech, we will get (I have added ambiguity votes for 2 options as 50 % weight)

Alphabet 50 % + 50 % + 100 % + 100 %+ 100 %
Mathematics 50 % + 50 %
Animal Husbandry: 100 %

Since there is ambiguity votes here, we need to define our strategy for the 2nd vote via a three way poll, with the head pointing research being writing, we need to settle this once and for all.
The reason for the need for a decision now is that we are now in diplomatic negotiations, and having alphabet would be to negotiate from strength and knowledge, not hope (we get to learn all their techs). The decision window, and research window is the CDZ boat, which will be there turn 67 or 68. We need to decide now if we want to get alphabet before they reach the Mavericks, or not.

Alphabet vs Math vs. Animal Husbandry

best regards

Provo

 

[cav scout]

It's still way too soon to lock in what we want after Writing.

 

[Provolution]

Well, its only 5 turns away, then we have to decide, and its going to shape our present negotiations what we really go for.

 

[cav scout]

...its going to shape our present negotiations what we really go for.

I think it's the other way around.

 

[Earthling]

I should mention that regarding the hard deadline on CDZ/India - in 15 turns or something India could send out its own boat, that we can't stop, and meet CDZ partway. Or, by some luck or whatever you would call it, CDZ could detour, into our inlet or something, and take more time. Though if we do Alphabet yet, we in general probably do have it before CDZ and Mavericks, and other teams doing who knows what, all have really established contact with each other.

But there's a lot of variables. Somebody insistent on Metal Casting (Vikings?) or the Oracle or some other weird plan could result in denying the tech trades we would want, and we have to be adaptive. If we're all agreed on Writing, I think we have a few turns to hash things out.

 

[Provolution]

Well, obviously someone (India) did indeed acquire metal casting through the Oracle, as that is the most likely scenario.

We need to ask CDZ openly if they are heading for Iron Working and Metal Casting, as we know they are preparing for their UU. We may need to ask them if they are ready for opening for a tech trade, and one of the parties (us) has to research Alphabet to facilitate this.

 

[MrBanana]

Writing > Alphabet > Iromn Working

If we can trade for IW with Alphabet, then math.

 

[Earthling]

Well, since I think Writing is about over, guess it is time to settle for sure - I'm in favor of Alphabet right now too, but don't want to be too hasty, think it'll be a clear majority though. Hopefully we can trade for several things with Alphabet, but at least we'll know what we are doing - we'll have Alphabet and be ready for several other teams to come to us with offers.