What do YOU want from the Science Dept?

[Cyc]

The following is a brief job description listed in the nomination thread for the Term #3 Science Leader...

These are the duties of the Science Department:

Organize tech research queue.
Organize tech trades.
Organize tech espionage.

These duties are not listed in the Constitution per say, but are the customary standards that a contemporary Science Leader tries to oversee in his normal course of duty. Other than determining the dreams and desires of the Fanatican citizenry in regards to the path we should take in the Tech Tree, and abiding by the will of these people, the Constitution does not really lay down any rules for the Science Dept. This raises a question in my mind as to what the people of Fanatica actually think the Science Leaders duties are. So if you would, please post in this thread your feelings as to what guidelines a Science Leader must adhere to and to what extent ones authority would lie in holding this Office.

As a second part of this question, please post which Technology you would like to see this Science term end on. We're researching Currency now, and when we finish with that Tech, we will probably go right into The Middle Ages. We are Technologically Advanced, meaning we are either tied for first in the Science field and have a slim lead over second place Nations. We will probably descend into Anarchy and switch to Monarchy at the begining of this coming Term (July 1st.) Anarchy is probably going to be 5 turns or so. This means that Term #3 will have at most around 85 turns to research in. This is not a lot of time. I am hoping that we will attain Theology and be well on our way to Education by the end of the month. If we are able to pick up other Techs through trade, so much the better, although I recommed keeping our Tech trading to a minimum.

I'd also like to see our Sci Rate go up to 80%. At least for a bit, as we'd only be losing 4 gpt at that rate (and we're not paying anything out to other nations). We have no need for upgrades now and our current 235 gold should last us for a long while. Our cities will be growing.

So what do you think? Where would you like to be at the end of July Technology-wise? Same as me? Different than me? If so, why? Now's your chance.

 

[Octavian X]

Personally, I'd prefer a Republican form of government, to increase commerce, and by asscoiation, science.

For the sake of our military, I would also recommend heading straight for feudalism/chivalry for the all-powerful pike/knight ages.

After that, we need to aim for one of the great science wonders of the middle ages (Copernicus', Newton's). I'd like to see the science department work with domestic and governors to scout out good sites for prebuilds for these wonders.

 

[Rik Meleet]

Personally I also prefer a Republic, but realisticly that would be a waste. If we choose Monarchy, bee-line to education and then to Democracy we won't loose time, resources and beakers on non-essential techs (republic, chivalry) and once we are in Democracy go for Economics or down the tree to Mil tradition.

 

[Strider]

First off, the trade department normally handle's technology trades. As the science department does not have the authorization to trade gold for technologies. The only things the science department does is manage the science queue, request library/university/research labs and manage science wonder pre-builds.

Also, sense you seem to be using the duties defined in the old constitution. Trade has the authorization to trade off technolgies. Science does not have the authorization to trade gold/maps etc. for tech's.

 

[Eklektikos]

Direction-wise I'd agree with Rik. We should be aiming to get our hands on Democracy before any of the AI civs do, if only because of the enormous returns one can achieve by trading it around.

 

[ScorpiusAP]

I also agree for the most part. My disagreement is I'd like to see feudalism first and then lets avoid the non essentials and make a mad dash for democracy. Its nice to have the Art of War wether we're planning on war or not.

I'd also like to see science and domestic together for some pre-wonder planning. Over at The Community, it didn't seem to happen and I'm, not overly happy with the placement of AoW.

 

[Strider]

Ok here's some average's for everyone on how long it will take us to research to democracy (if we keep researching at the same pace without gaining more science funding etc.)

Montheism: 14 turns

Feudalism: 18 turns

Engerneering: 14 turns

Theology: 15 turns

Education: 14 turns

Banking: 14 turns

Printing Press: 14 turns

Democracy: 29 turns

Thus if we go:

Montheism > Theology > Education > Banking > Printing Press > Democracy

It should take about 100 turns (exactly) to get democracy

If we get feudalism before we go on it'll take 118 turns to get there.

The AI's normally go for feudalism first... so I would suggest that we just trade for it and go straight up the path to democracy.

Overall if we go straight for monarchy it should take 116 turns to get there. (Counting the time it takes to research currency(11) and a 5 turn anarchy)

 

[ScorpiusAP]

As long as we plan on trading for feudalism, I'd say sure, cut down our research time by avoiding it.

That is however different than saying, well we could trade for it, so let's not research it.

 

[donsig]

We can buy monotheism from either Persia, Greece or Egypt. the Greek purchase might be best as they need both iron and horses, which we can supply.

 

[Cyc]

I agree mostly with our main need being the pursuit of Democracy, but that is a long way off. We have to be prepared for it as a nation. That means we have to be building banks. A lot of them.

I'm not in favor of buying Monotheism at this time from the Greeks, as it is too expensive. They want all our gold on hand, plus enough per turn to disallow any increase in the Science Rate that would shorten our research time. This is not good.

What we need to do is take the Sci Rate up to 70% (-3gpt), where we can discover Monotheism in 15 turns. This would be better than bankrupting ourselves and depleting our resources.

By keeping up with the AI Scientifically, and growing our cities at the same time, we can get to a point where we can pull ahead of Greece and the Aztecs again Militarily. If not, we will fall behind quickly. If we go bankrupt and give away our resources, we are just hurting ourselves.

 

[donsig]

Perhaps we should push the science rate up to 80% and get monotheism in 12 turns. The Governor of Aventine has legal posted instructions for all Aventine cities to switch immediately to the production of wealth. The income generated may well pay for the science rate hike. We will end up wasting 115 shields...

 

[Cyc]

I saw those instructions and believe they should be overturned. That move will seriously hurt our attempt at building Culture in our nation. What an absurd gesture by a Governor. THAT sounds like a PI to me.

In regarding those instructions as dangerous and destructive to the nation and overriding them, I believe the 70% is going to be our best best.

 

[Cyc]

So people, any opinions on where we should be in three Techs? In the new poll our options are:

Music Theory
Banking
Printing Press
Astronomy
Feudalism
Engineering

I've heard that some of you would like Printing press for its Trade value, but as you probably know, I'm not a Tech trader by nature. Music Theory looks good to me, as we should probably have a backup for any Wonder we're building (Sistene Chapel) in case the AI goes full bore. Banking would probably be my second choice.

The poll can be found here.

 

[Rik Meleet]

I want to steam on to Democracy. It is time there is Democracy (The Government following the will of the people) in this game.

 

[Cyc]

Ha! 17 threads currently active with yesterday's date. Try to tell me the Demogame is dead. It's booming!

So, Rik Meleet, that leaves you a choice between Banking ans Printing Press. I'll go check the poll to see if you've decided there.

 

[Cyc]

People of Fanatica! We need your vote! There's only one day left in this poll to determine where YOU want to be three Techs from now. Please vote now. You can find the poll by CLICKING HERE!

 

[Cyc]

*Please note that we will discover the true meaning of Theology in 7 turns.

Above is a repost of the latest path we are to take in our search for knowledge. As you can see, we are destined to research Astronomy after Education, which is to follow Theology. It's interesting that after our religious studies which will lead to a deeper understanding of our educational system, we again will look to the heavens.

This coming t/c we will probably have completed our research of Theology and be ready for our next poll to decide where we should be "3 Techs From Now". As we have skirted our intended chosen area of study, our list of optional courses has grown even larger. The next poll will include the following options:

Feudalism
Engineering
Printing Press
Music Theory
Banking
Navigation

So now I'd like to know what you think about our immediate future in the Science world. Shall we again try to head for Democracy? Should be concentrate on Engineering or catch up with land rights by taking on Feudalism?

Personally, I say let's go for Banking to increase our gold intake. We'll need banks for a strong Democracy. After that, we can do Printing Press.

EDIT: Removed Physics

 

[zorven]

I like to go to Economics so we can build Adam Smith's Trading Company. The gold that is saved by having that wonder can have a large impact on the empire.

 

[Cyc]

OK, looking at my last post, I see that I mistakenly included Physics in our list of optional choices. Sorry, my mistake. As you can see from the picture below, our choices (after we gain the knowledge of Astronomy, and including the new Techs we gain through trades last t/c) will be -

Chivalry
Invention
Printing Press
Music Theory
Banking
Navigation

Please post here and tell the Science Dept. where you'd like to see our research move towards. I believe Democracy is the favorite now, but I'd like some confirmation. Shall we study Banking and then Printing Press? Or how about Banking and then Economics? Right now, that has the most backing.

 

[Cyc]

The new Science Poll has been posted here.