Why I’m Not a Businessman

YC114.02.01

I call myself an industrialist, although really, I yearn to call myself a businessman.  But, a rose by any other name is still just someone who builds things.

Why am I not a businessman?  Because the powers-that-be have not given me the power to:

Invest in corporations and the stockmarket

Why can I not buy shares in Goonswarm, or even better - short-sell them and cause their market cap to plummet so bad they can’t finance a can of Quafe?

You can tell me all you like that by undercutting someone else by two cents on the cost of a Havoc missile I’m engaging in my own special brand of warfare; but to really wreak havoc - try crashing the economy of New Eden’s largest civilization, and see the blood flow.

Give me the chance to get super-rich, and go super-broke.

Form commercial deals and exclusive contracts

I produce minerals and other refined products.  I have customers who buy these exclusively from me, at established prices.  So why do I have to create a contract each time I deliver goods, and wait for these contracts to be accepted before I see a cent?

Why can’t I have a standing order, where everything I deliver up to the quota is automatically accepted?

Why can’t I make standing orders, where I buy my raw materials from others in the same manner?

See prices everywhere

The powers-that-be don’t trust me with knowledge - that’s all I can figure.  Why else can’t I see the prices in Jita when I’m in Dodixie?  Others have made this data available to me - making me jump through these hoops just make me think the powers are trying to wallpaper over the cracks in their walls.

Sure, I get in my pod so I can increase my balance.  But to call what I do business, well that would just be criminal...

Why Do I Do What I Do?

YC114.02.01

I’m starting to think I need to quit frequenting bars while I’m stuck in a station, or start drinking faster once I get to them...

Are You a Content Seeker?

Firstly, I would like to clarify my definition of "content seeker". These are not necessarily just players who can be labelled and dismissed as "roleplayers" or "carebears" (although I'm sure the skim-readers will still assume that to be the case). There are many null- and low-sec combat pilots with an appreciation for the lore of EVE and the layers of immersion beyond the performance-obsessed powergamers.

From the perspective of a casual player or an outsider there is a beguiling darkness and a sense of wonder in simply moving through New Eden and being overwhelmed by the detail. Roleplayers certainly tap into that and build beyond it, but that is a niche within a niche. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the min/maxers for whom the enjoyment is in the DPS and the kill:death ratios. They don't give a rat's arse about the backstory.

- Seismic Stan, Power Gamers vs. Content Seekers

This time, the talk was about what motivates us capsuleers, keeps us coming back for more, and not just killing the power on the cloning vat and opening the air lock doors.

For many, especially in null space, it’s the thrill of the kill.  (At least that’s what it seems like to me, plying my skills here in high-sec.)  It’s almost like the powers-that-be wish everyone to end up in null, making space for an endless streams of new grads to occupy high-sec for a month or two, before they move on and make room for others.  The circle of capsuleers, to coin a phrase.  (Hell, that would make a great song too!)

But what keeps me going?  What makes me climb into that pod each day, crush rocks each day, build trinkets each day, ply the markets each day?  In truth, it’s the companionship and interaction with my corp mates, my allies - hell, even my enemies.

Cause as an industrialist, I find the powers-that-be don’t leave much other motivation for me.

As I said earlier, if things don’t burn, there’s no reason to do anything else.

Everything I make, goes to the war movements of someone.  Can I produce view screens, or art work, or even clothing for my fellow pilots to enjoy?  Not even close.  Sure, I can move trade goods, and sell them to the powers.  

But New Eden is full of people that never set foot in a pod.  They have ISK that would look just as good in my pockets as theirs.  Why must the powers keep their monopoly on these markets?  

The power-that-be like to trumpet how capsuleers are responsible for the entire economy in New Eden; I wish I had the chutzpah to try feeding my customers such a line.  Sure, we’re responsible for the entire economy - the entire economy consisting of the crumbs they see fit to give us.

I’ve heard rumblings that changes are coming, and even seen press releases and “technology tests” that suggest the rumblings may be true.  It’s possible that one day, I may be able to buy and sell goods that don’t lead to a ship’s crew dying.  Of course, I’ve seen nothing indicating I’ll actually be able to build these goods myself - rather than just playing a shell game moving around consumer goods produced elsewhere, like a glorified courier.

But until that day, even though I call myself an industrialist - I’m just a cog in the war machine, profiteering where ever I can.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that...

What Makes Us Human?

YC114.01.31

And what keeps us human?

There is an interesting discussion underway right now.  Kyber has posted thoughts on what capsuleers are, what we are becoming, and how much are we still human.  

While I continue to abhor the company he keeps and feel there are ulterior motives to his thoughts, this does not keep me from addressing his original question, as he implies.

The machines we put in ourselves are dangerous.  They disconnect us, distort us, distance us, and diminish us from what makes humans human.  They place us in stasis, while the unaltered continue to evolve past us.  

By hitting pause on our natural progress, what do we miss while others hit play?

I’m Still Earning

YC114.01.30

I’ve been unable to poke my nose out of station, what with bullets and missiles flying around, but at least the ISK is still trickling in.  We’ve made our first delivery to I-RED, I’ve got stuff started on the custom order, we continue to get raw material and BPC’s from our manufacturing partner, and I’m bringing in a bit of money myself selling ammunition in-station.

Of course, it would be just my luck that the ammunition I’m selling is being used by SASPR to shoot at us.

I haven’t seen or heard from Loreael in a bit.  I hope he’s doing well; I wonder if he’s heard about the assassination yet - there was sure no love lost there!

It Wasn’t Me

YC114.01.30

I swear!

Now I know why M. Octirant signed off so abruptly; Rest in Peace...  

I have no clue who did this.  And it looks like those damn SASPR’s are trying to make it look like an inside job.

I wonder if James has heard the news yet.

And Here I Thought Politics Was Boring

YC114.01.30

Man, now I see what James likes about this dance!  I was privileged enough to observe Saturday’s Alliance Executive meeting; what a difference from trying to pilot a Hulk or installing manufacturing jobs.  The closest I’ve come to this level of intricacy is making the markets bend to my will - or at least trying to make them...

The most striking thing was how obstinate - indeed, almost stereotypical - a politician M. Octirant is.  I have no clue how he rose to be chairman of the Federal Nationalist Party, nor indeed the position of power he holds with the FCO Alliance.

He has very little sympathy for the damages RECLT has taken due to his rash actions and poorly timed vocal outbursts.  I had a difficult time keeping silent and just observing, allowing James to represent us.  It was interesting watching him work - at times impassioned, at times oddly disconnected, almost as if he were waiting for something to happen.  I wonder what would have happened if we’d all been there in the flesh instead...

And surprise, surprise: a meeting of politicians ended with up with nothing being decided.  And when that lippy twerp saw he wasn’t getting his way, he just up and signs off from the meeting.  Typical.  Didn’t seem to surprise James that much, I guess he’s used to how Octirant behaves.

My opinion of M. Valoron did get an upgrade though.  He seems like someone we may be able to work with.  This alliance may make a go of it yet!

News of Kiruss

YC114.01.26

Just not the one I was expecting...  Hopefully the Kiruss I know has more freedom of movement and thought than that poor fish, swimming in his bowl.

I find myself not holding my breath though.

Correction...

YC114.01.26

Apparently, the Old Man was not as lucky as I thought...  While his pod may have started with air in it, it certainly didn’t end that way.

Hope his clone was paid up!

Absolutely Nothing

YC114.01.26

Well, I have an answer to my question...  The Alliance appears to be good for absolutely nothing!  At least for RECLT - I’m sure it’s lining the pockets and inflating the sense of worth of others.

With the suspicious diplomatic incompetence of M. Octirant, riling up EoM folks and encouraging a war he seems eager to wage from his Velator...

With the bordering-on-criminal political maneuverings of M. Valoron, releasing election results of an individual corporation to the public before the rest of the Alliance has been informed, or indeed has even voted...

The timing of this war is way too serendipitous for M. Octirant and his views.  His initial announcement in a public forum advocating war was met by questioning by M. Valoron and outright derision by the Old Man.  Yet very quickly, a ready-made enemy threatens to take up arms against us - even though voices in the Alliance are making it clear M. Octirant is espousing views to an audience composed primarily of his mirror.

And how quickly the worm turns: M. Valoron’s GIPA goes from peace to 91% in favor of war.

Rather than diplomatic incompetence, it appears M. Octirant may be a skilled manipulator rarely seen by mankind - willing to sacrifice his own people to build support for a war they didn’t want.

I know I went against the Old Man’s wishes, but I felt compelled to try and rescue something from the ashes...  If not the Alliance, at least RECLT.

So far, the Alliance has brought us nothing but grief.  Even though we have no wish to fight, the Old Man came to the aid of a fellow member yesterday.  While the other person was able to escape, James was lucky to get out with air still inside his pod.

Meanwhile, all forward progress made by RECLT has been at our own hands - indeed not even within our Federation contacts and compatriots.  Our deal with I-RED, the manufacturing agreements I’ve made, the custom orders we’re taking on...  We have done more to promote peace and unity with others, and bring prosperity to RECLT, than anything done by the Alliance.  In fact, we’ll be lucky if their recklessness doesn’t scuttle what we have achieved.

I’m not sure what James is thinking, but I know my mind is decided.

And hell, I haven’t seen Loreael or the Polix boys since all this started, I hope they’ve been able to find somewhere safe to hole up.

Oh

YC114.01.25

Stunned...

Helpless...

Intrigued...

Trepidatious...

Bloody politics...

Twiddling My Thumbs

YC114.01.25

War: 99% boredom, 1% nothing to do...

I’m sure the guys on the front lines are keeping active, but there sure ain’t much for an industrialist to do when it’s not safe to stick your nose out.  It’s giving me a chance to work on the books - I still can’t figure out what James is up to - and prepare the logistics channel for getting the manufacturing jobs spun up.

I need to get raw materials brought in, and apparently I’m not worthy enough to build some of the items yet.  Bloody examiners aren’t free until tomorrow to clear me on the new equipment; I can’t tell it they’re elitist snobs, or just money-grubbers looking to soak people every chance they get.  One of those I can respect, the other... not so much!

And that custom job is huge!  Could take me weeks to get everything built, and almost that long to build up materials.  Looks like we’ve got an agreeable schedule for it though - so as to not bankrupt him or me.

I suppose one good thing about this conflict: at least it’s just some over-zealous capsuleers looking to wreak their own brand of havoc.  At the end of it, I’ll still be myself, still be a capsuleer with free will, still be in space...

I still haven’t seen any signs of Kiruss lately...  Or Kyber for that mater.

Striking Balances

YC114.01.23

What the hell is James up to?  I’ve been auditing the books, and he’s liquidated all of his personal assets across the Federation...

The Old Man better not be making an economic play.  Last thing I need is him riling up the markets right now - at least not without telling me so I can get in on the action!  To say that our exposure to the mineral markets is increasing right now is a significant understatement...

These last few months working closely with him - I think I’ve got a handle on what makes him tick.  Normally, when looking for motive I’d say “follow the money”; but with James, when looking for motive “follow the politics.”  

Faction Warfare, discord in the Alliance, I-RED and RDC making new deals, war decs...  more than enough politics to follow here.  Toss in those strengthening rumors about disruptive action against miners.  Let’s just say I got all the ingredients I need to make a pretty interesting cake.

I think I’d better start making more ammunition; I just hope I can sell it instead of needing to keep it for personal use...

What Is It Good For?

YC114.01.23

War!

This can’t be good...  We’ve just been informed by Bastian that Seekers of a Silent Paradise have declared war on Federal Consensus Outreach.

I still haven’t seen anything positive come to RECLT by way of our alliance with FCO.  But now, with a war dec and rumblings about Faction Warfare - all I see are negatives.

Alliance - what is it good for?

FCO - what is it good for?

Promotion

YC114.01.23

I gotta admit, the brothers Polix did good when they recruited Loreal.  So good, in fact, that he’s earned himself full-share status with RECLT.

Well done Lor!

And I dunno, I seem to feel Lor may be a kindred spirit with me - there seems to be something lurking under the surface there...

Oh, and we seem to have acquired a junior member when I wasn’t looking too: Steven Marchello.  Hopefully he works out, and helps make me rich.

Official!

YC114.01.23

Man, I can’t even keep up with everything - the news (good and bad) is coming fast and furious right now.  Still, I’m going to take a few minutes and savour this now that the embargo has been lifted:

ISHUKONE-RAATA ENFORCEMENT DIRECTIVE: RECLT/I-RED Contract

Intaki Solar System.

On the 9th of January at approximately 05:00 hours Ishukone-Raata personnel met with CEO James Syagrius of Reclamation Technologies [RECLT] a member of the Federal Consensus Outreach [FCO] to discuss terms on a contract. While the specifics are being kept confidential it has been noted publicly that Reclamation Technologies will be supplying Ishukone-Raata with a large quantity of required fuels on a regular basis. Such as liquid ozone, and heavy water that is obtained from ice mining operations.

This has been said to be the first of many agreements in an attempt to help boost Ishukone-Raata's industrial capabilities in the Intaki Solar System.

John Revenent, IGS posting

I can finally reveal that Corp X is I-RED!  We are supplying them with liquid ozone and heavy water from the blue ice we’re pulling.

(I say “we’re”, but really, the Polix boys and the junior members they’ve recruited are doing the lion’s share of the work.  Hey, that’s why we’re a corp and not a bunch of loners!)

This is a very exciting deal - it shows that business can overcome politics!

Of course, knowing James - politics can’t be far behind.  I wonder if this presages something bigger...

Interesting

YC114.01.20

Apparently, highly-placed people have been lobbying the powers-that-be for alliance access to a specialized corp category: Faction Warfare.  And now, it appears the powers have listened.  

I have no clue what effects on the markets this may have...  While it has the chance to increase the number of people needing ammunition or replacement equipment, it may just as easily have people fleeing from established alliances to avoid becoming targets.  And those established alliances have established selling and buying patters - which could end up in tatters.

I just hope we stay out of it...  It never pays to be shooting at the people to whom you’re also trying to sell.

Added on to this, there’s rumblings that disruptive action against miners may be starting again...

Happy News

YC114.01.20

James took me on a meet-and-greet last night to some of his existing contacts - and who knows, maybe future business partners as well.  I was privileged enough to meet Katrina Oniskei and Simca Develon - and to hear about their pending nuptials as well!

(And I must admit, it was kinda weird to hear someone else being called “Kat” in conversation...  And Other Kat is a lucky woman to have a hottie like Simca calling her name.)

Turns out - as well - that Other Kat knows Kiruss, although she hasn’t heard from him since he’s escaped the hole, same as me...  Hope he’s doing well...  And still able to produce independent thought...

On the Corp X front, James assures me a press release will come soon - at which point the publication embargo will be lifted.  I hope he’s right, this is the kind of news that helps bring in more customers - and perhaps even some more employees (junior, of course) to help us meet demands.

Oh, and even happier news!  Another order came in last night, this time for a custom build.  And what a build it is!  It’s looking like I need to get outta this SoE station and back to the refineries - between product stacking up waiting for processing, and quotes to pull together...  

No rest for the wicked or profitable!

Get Your Tears Out of My Beer

YC114.01.19

So, I was sitting at some lounge last night in-station after taking care of things for SoE, and I hear some clowns at the bar bitching about things:

Blog Banter 32: Non-Consensual Combat Restrictions

"A quick view of the Eve Online forums can always find someone complaining about being suicide ganked, whining about some scam they fell for or other such tears. With the Goons' Ice Interdiction claiming a vast amount of mining ships, there were calls for an "opt out of PvP" option.

Should this happen? Should people be able to opt-out of PvP in Eve Online. Should CONCORD prevent crime rather than just handing out justice after the event? Or do the hi-sec population already have too much protection from the scum and villainy that inhabits the game?"

- Drackarn, Blog Banter 32

The thing that got my attention - obviously - was mention of the Ice Interdiction.  

(The fact that Polix lost at least one ship to it never entered my mind, really!)

(Well ok, once I was done laughing at the thought that Polix lost at least one ship to it, it never entered my mind.)

And this got me thinking about things.  Having spent time in the wormhole with Kiruss and the others, and now returning to K-Space: just how safe do I need my space?  Or rather, how safe do I expect others to keep it for me?

(Full disclosure of course, that Ice Interdiction certainly didn’t harm our wallets here at RECLT!)

But would I have rather that CONCORD prevented the interdiction from even being possible in the first place, and not just meting out justice after the fact?  In all honesty - NO.  

The universe ain’t safe.  

I mean hell, the only ship I lost in the hole was to friendly fire.  Get back to K-Space, do some favors for the folks in Astral, and next thing I know some capsuleers get the drop on us and I’m in my pod, lucky not to be breathing vacuum!

But you know what?  Without Nimes getting popped in the hole, or poor Bruge going up in flames in low-sec - what would be the purpose of RECLT even mining for ore in the first place?

Those whiners sitting at the bar were forgetting the most basic rule in New Eden:  if things don’t burn, there’s no reason to do anything else.

Until the powers-that-be behind CONCORD finally give up the monopoly on allowing capsuleers to produce consumable goods - and more importantly consume those consumable goods - the only thing we have to do is make stuff that serves only two purposes: blowing things up, or preventing things blowing up.

If all the capsuleers are allowed to build is hammers - then dammit, all we’re gonna see is nails!  And quite frankly, if you don’t want to look like a nail, stay in-station and the hell outta your ship!

If you petition CONCORD to turn those hammers to foam, making you all safe-cozy-and-coddled in high-sec...  well, let’s just hope you enjoy stockpiling ores, cause ain’t no-one gonna need them any more.

Sure, things will still burn in low, null, and the holes.  But think about where all of us new grads started out - here, in high-sec.  CONCORD may care for us here, and help us bear the weight of our new lives - making us carebears as it were - but without the ability to learn and experience the harshness of the wider universe in a safe-ish place, how would any of us be properly prepared if we do enter those other areas.

If I’m going to fall, I want there to be a net to soften the blow.  But I need to learn how to fall - and more importantly how not to fall - while that net is there.  Because if I never fall into the net, then I will never learn to stay out of the net.

And I need the net to hurt - because you know what, if the net doesn’t hurt then why would I stay out of it.  A nice cushiony hug with no pain at all teaches me nothing.  But a slap, followed by ice cream to take away some of the sting?  That’s something I can learn from, and the mean ol' pirate getting blasted by CONCORD after the fact will also learn.

Plus, ice cream!

The Deals Keep Coming

YC114.01.19

Looks like I’m getting good at this business stuff; first we closed the deal with Corp X for refined materials.  Thing is, they wanted 2 of the 4 products refining produces.  Which leaves us with material we still need to get to market.

While this is going on, we also closed a deal with another group on a joint manufacturing and selling joint venture.  Turns out though, their corporate focus has recently expanded, meaning they suddenly have a huge need for one of the two remaining products we have on our hands.  A quick discussion with them, and boom!  Deal in place, and more profit ready to roll in.

And now just one product to dispose - and I may have some competition on the business front!  Polix may have a line on a buyer for that too.  One stone, and perhaps three birds paying for the privilege of us throwing at them...

On the manufacturing front, the first shipment of ores and BPC’s have been delivered to me.  Of course, I’m a couple systems over right now expanding relationships with SoE - but I do believe the prospect of getting these lazy bastards back at the plant working and earning is sufficient for me to pop back to the home system.  

Plus, I’ve got a completed load of ammunition waiting for me - and there’s an excellent chance I’m going to need to reload, these SoE folks seem to have a lot of enemies...

Two Places at Once

YC114.01.18

So, it looks like I need to figure out how to clone myself...  With the new commercial agreements we have now, I need to find some easy ways to jump between stations - to coin a phrase, a “jump clone” as it were.

Hah!

Man I’m funny!

It looks like I have bunch of work ahead of me; while Astral Mining loves me, and I’m certainly fond of them as well, they don’t offer jump cloning facilities.  Unfortunately, since graduation from CAS I may have over-specialized and neglected building connections with firms that actually offer jump cloning services.

Looks like I need to start kissing some new ass...

Um, I mean developing collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships that allow all parties to prosper and profit.

Growth Spurt

YC114.01.17

Big news day it seems...  

Federal Consensus Outreach - the alliance RECLT is part of - has announced a new member: Coriault Business Annex.

Hopefully this means more people for us to sell to!

How to Profit

YC114.01.17

1. Magic happens
2. Profit

No?  That’s not the way it normally happens?

So, now that Corp X has accepted our terms, it’s time for us to start supplying product.  The only problem - how the heck do each of us in RECLT get paid for this work?

Some might say that’s James’ problem, and why he gets paid the big bucks...  

My response to that: Polix is the one doing most of the mining, I’m the one doing the refining, why the hell is James the one making the big bucks?

Apparently James has some ideas, I can’t wait for him to regale us...

She Ain’t My Sister

YC114.01.17

Apparently in order to build a POS in high-sec space, we must first kowtow and genuflect before the mighty Gallente Federation.  

Before we can anchor anything, our standing towards them must be at least 5.0.
Before we can build ships, components, ammunition that help the Federation in their quest for power, our standing towards them must be at least 5.0.
Before we can bring greater revenues to the Federation through taxes (completely fair and not-at-all oppressive taxes, really, trust me), our standing towards them must be at least 5.0.
Before we can expand the reputation of the Federation as a viable place to obtain goods at a reasonable price, our standing towards them must be at least 5.0.
Before we can show the superiority of the Federation’s policies and how they encourage the entrepreneur, our standing towards them must be at least 5.0.
Before we can show how the small businessmen of the Federation best serve the customers’ needs, our standing towards them must be at least 5.0.

Federation of freedom and opportunity, my ass...

So, to meet this mythical standing, reputation, reliability, or whatever they want to call it, we have to go scraping at the feet of their cronies for handouts.

(Ok, I might be overreacting a little, but c’mon - why they gotta make it so hard to avoid manufacturing fees? Really, who actually likes paying taxes?)

Polix and James both tell me, one of the best ways to get my standings up is running missions for the Sisters of Eve.  I hope SoE can do something useful for me - at least with Astral I can refine tax-free.  But these Sisters and their religious stuff...  I dunno - seems like just another way to fleece your customers.  

Only they’ve found the ultimate sales pitch - give over your money, and get a warm happy feeling in return.  That sounds like the most cost-effective product ever to sell; no raw materials needed, nothing to manufacture, no inventory to transport or maintain.  (Wish I’d thought of it first...)

Oh well, as long as they pay well.