A Weekly Threat Assessment of the Diplomacy Community
|
|
6 Month Anniversary
This is our 27th issue, and I'm proud to say we've made deadline now for half a year. We also have grown to over 300 subscribers across all the platforms. This is a passion project of mine, and I'm so thankful for your support.
|
|
|
Podcast #64 - Interviews with Call and Goff.
Amby and Kaner make it to Melbourne for PoppyCon and discuss their plans for the tournament. They also interview Melissa Call and multi-WDC winner Andrew Goff. They wrap it all up by discussing Amby’s Divided States game. Listen Here.
|
|
|
Infinity Stones of Manipulation
In comic book lore, the infinity stones represent ultimate power. If one person possesses them, then his every desire will be realized with a snap of his fingers. Does such a power exist in diplomacy? Learning how to weaponize other people’s emotions is a powerful tool that might even seem godlike to some. This is a series for people that want to win and be in control of the levers of power. Just as there are six infinity stone, there are six emotions we will look at in this series.
|
|
|
|
The famous movie starlit Mae West said, “Flattery will get you everywhere.” This particular emotion is very dangerous to deploy though. If a person realizes that you are being insincere, flattery can instead get you killed. Yet, there are players whose egos are very susceptible to praise, especially in online play. Flattery cannot be blatant. Giving excessive compliments can come off as fake. I for one am often very suspicious of any type of compliment.
|
|
|
Instead, pursue a more subtle approach like seeking their opinion on your own moves. Asking someone for advice is its own type of flattery and can often reveal their moves and motives.
“That move was very impressive. I’d love to know why you did that.” “How did you see that coming?” Ask for advice and if you don’t follow it allow them to think it is due to incompetence rather than treachery. Approaching others this way helps the other powers to not view you as a threat.
Some people may think that putting yourself down while giving praise to others is effective. I think most people see through this type of false humility. A better way is to deal with put downs and also to take responsibility for bad moves. Your flattery will be much more effective if you aren’t defensive when attacked.
This was clearly illustrated in the Nexus Season 2 Finals. I was Turkey and had been striving to get Austria to see that a wintergreen had formed against us. He refused to see the backstab that came in Spring 1902.
|
|
|
As you can see, my discussion afterwards was very pointed. Did I believe he was really my puppet? No. Did he deserve this criticism? Yes. He gritted his teeth at this insult and used it to his advantage. I should probably mention at this time that Austria ended up going on to win the finals.
|
|
|
Flattery is important when you are the smaller power. You often have to listen to people put down your skill and blame you for your bad position. Yet, learning how to humbly deal with such criticism will help you change your fortunes. Flattery can also help calm the person you just stabbed. Praising their skill can help mitigate the pain of their bad position.
I think it’s also important to note that flattery is most effective when you believe it is true. Everyone wants to be appreciated and respected subconsciously. Our own vanity is the reason flattery works in the first place. This is why Dale Carnegie author of How to Win Friends and Influence People said, “Flattery is telling the other person precisely what he thinks about himself.” This of course is laying a trap. As the proverb goes, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
|
|
|
|
April
- 4th-5th - Whipping (California) - Facebook / Meetup *Will Be Rescheduled*
May
June
|
|
|
March
|
|
Reach out it you have an idea or announcement you'd like featured
|
|
|
|
|
