The mindset of one-upping

[Seattle]

An interesting aspect of this issue is demonstrated in the video game industry.
Multi-player combat, complete with $50 billion (2017) a year plus, for purely cosmetic purchases.
View attachment 2679
c/o https://medium.com/wax-io/how-on-ea...ideo-games-a-50-billion-industry-5972c211d621
Example virtual outfit (2017) : Apparently costs $500 real dollars, most often purchased by heterosexual male players, using the female character.
So... one-upmanship is a thriving industry worth trillions...

Contribution to thread topic 7/10
Seattle,
Your turn...

Haha, you win! Finally you have presented an interesting article. No woo involved.

I'm not a gamer. I did work for Nintendo for a short period. I have played a game or two in my life but I'm not into it.

I did spend several years supporting myself solely as a day trader. I do get what is going on here. It is interesting although it would have no personal interest for me at all. It was interesting to read. I get the concepts. It's no different than any other secondary market.

I'm not currently doing it but I like selling things on Ebay. A market is a market and most of the same rules and concepts apply.

I've bought and sold a lot of guitars and after the first few I bought (as I was learning) all the rest paid for themselves. That's not a money making scheme (on my part). It just allowed me to try out a lot of guitars without having to keep adding more money. I like knowing how to photograph, write ad copy, understand the pricing and shipping aspects as well as the psychology behind it all. It's generally a better move to increase your asking price a bit rather than to lower it.

I was mainly using fixed price sales (rather than auctions). I changed the price a lot as time went on.

Obviously, most of these (predominately) guys aren't spending $500 or $6 million (I'd like to hear more about that one) but many games have small buy-in options so this is just that on steroids I guess.

The secondary market is what I would have liked them to cover more. The people who are buying and selling at a profit.

 

[Quantum Quack]

I like knowing how to photograph, write ad copy, understand the pricing and shipping aspects as well as the psychology behind it all

you mean woo behind it all ( psychology)

I'll take your humble acquiescence and honor you with a "battle well fought" compliment...

I had been in business most of my adult life, strangely enough initially as a professional musician for 15 odd years ( Trumpet - keyboards- vocals) running a resident band, performing 5-6 nights a week, then moved in to of all things Automotive Technology ( sophisticated terms for motor mechanics) selling service and, parts and auto accessories, in the later years 24/7, 365 days. ( specialized in Fuel delivery, Chassis Dyno tuning, Auto trans modifications, and built a few racing engines.
Designed, built and fully owned my own 4br, BV, split level home (35 squares) in the mountains by the age of 25 with two kids, 2 cars.

A so-called High achiever that nearly killed himself.
Had a stroke aged 35 then spent the ensuing years in recovery on a pension.
Lost his family, lost his kids, lost his businesses and worst of all lost his music.

Video gaming started around the year 2000 as part of self therapy, learning to think, create, co-ordinate, impulse control etc.
Video game design started about 2008..
Web design and IT security about 2014..

Now almost fully retired playing video games as part of time filling...and understanding self, waiting for the doc's predictions to come true...
IT security, web design on hold for the moment.

People often asked why I don't talk about my past...
Well it is just simply too tragic and painful to get into...

So I focus on trying to stay on topic... "sheesh!"

 

[Quantum Quack]

Obviously, most of these (predominately) guys aren't spending 500or500 or 6 million (I'd like to hear more about that one) but many games have small buy-in options so this is just that on steroids I guess.

It's a massive growth industry especially now with the use of mobile technology, optical fibre and VR.

 

[Seattle]

you mean woo behind it all ( psychology)

I'll take your humble acquiescence and honor you with a "battle well fought" compliment...

I had been in business most of my adult life, strangely enough initially as a professional musician for 15 odd years ( Trumpet - keyboards- vocals) running a resident band, performing 5-6 nights a week, then moved in to of all things Automotive Technology ( sophisticated terms for motor mechanics) selling service and, parts and auto accessories, in the later years 24/7, 365 days. ( specialized in Fuel delivery, Chassis Dyno tuning, Auto trans modifications, and built a few racing engines.
Designed, built and fully owned my own 4br, BV, split level home (35 squares) in the mountains by the age of 25 with two kids, 2 cars.

A so-called High achiever that nearly killed himself.
Had a stroke aged 35 then spent the ensuing years in recovery on a pension.
Lost his family, lost his kids, lost his businesses and worst of all lost his music.

Video gaming started around the year 2000 as part of self therapy, learning to think, create, co-ordinate, impulse control etc.
Video game design started about 2008..
Web design and IT security about 2014..

Now almost fully retired playing video games as part of time filling...and understanding self, waiting for the doc's predictions to come true...
IT security, web design on hold for the moment.

People often asked why I don't talk about my past...
Well it is just simply too tragic and painful to get into...

So I focus on trying to stay on topic... "sheesh!"

Thanks for sharing.
I checked into the 6 million dollar (I've learned you can't use the dollar sign on here without formatting issues) virtual planet mentioned in that article. Maybe you know this already but the article was a bit misleading in that case.

A company paid 6 million for Planet Calypso which seems to be an online game with almost a million subscribers so basically a company bought another company.

 

[Seattle]

It's a massive growth industry especially now with the use of mobile technology, optical fibre and VR.

It's about a large number of subscribers spending not so large dollars on the virtual buy-ins? Is that accurate. I know gaming in general is a huge industry of course.

Actually, given the Earth's population even niche businesses (not calling this one niche) can bring in large sounding revenues.

 

[Quantum Quack]

It's about a large number of subscribers spending not so large dollars on the virtual buy-ins? Is that accurate. I know gaming in general is a huge industry of course.

Actually, given the Earth's population even niche businesses (not calling this one niche) can bring in large sounding revenues.

my last off topic post... sorry Wegs...

the first thing you need to do to get right into it is study "Globalization" and what that means.
My best IT customers resided in the UK and I never met them... second best were Germans.
By firstly understanding the nature of globalization generally and how that impacts politically, attitude-ally, economically you end up with a better idea of niche markets that offer enormous volume , low cost products and services.
For example:
A 16 gb $2 USB memory stick with Wikipedia downloaded and stored. Sells to communities with out internet access, Africa, South America, Asia and even parts of the USA for a solid amount.... (profit) plus 6 monthly upgrades sales.
But only if you include for free the supply of a donated recycled lap top or PC.
(A demand probably already being met in parts of Africa - re: example: Tunapanda Institute (in their early days)

 

[Seattle]

Yes, I can see how the USB memory stick product would be more viable in African than $500 virtual clothes.

 

[wegs]

...and they all posted happily ever after.

 

[Seattle]

...and they all posted happily ever after.

Except Rainbow and Iceaura. They decided not to play.

 

[wegs]

Except Rainbow and Iceaura. They decided not to play.

Live and let live, friend.

 

[RainbowSingularity]

Live and let live, friend.

i can see through seatles bankers-remorse-sub-prime-ecconomics-policy-fantacist expose'

i was not going to mention it if he had not gone on and on about it looking for someone to dig the knife in to take his mind off it.
seems a bit transference vindictive really.
anywho...

 

[Seattle]

i can see through seatles bankers-remorse-sub-prime-ecconomics-policy-fantacist expose'

i was not going to mention it if he had not gone on and on about it looking for someone to dig the knife in to take his mind off it.
seems a bit transference vindictive really.
anywho...

Seen any good movies lately?

 

[wegs]

i can see through seatles bankers-remorse-sub-prime-ecconomics-policy-fantacist expose'

i was not going to mention it if he had not gone on and on about it looking for someone to dig the knife in to take his mind off it.
seems a bit transference vindictive really.
anywho...

I think that at the end of the day, we're all just as fragile and strong as the next person, and sometimes, things get lost in translation through a medium that just relies on text, like a forum. I went out last night with a friend who I had lost touch with, and we had the best time. He got me thinking on something, how we take things too seriously on social media. Honestly? Offline life is better than online. But, we spend a lot of time online, for our jobs, shopping, communication, and social reasons. It might be causing us more harm than we think.

 

[dumbest man on earth]

It might be causing us more harm than we think.

Hey Wegs, why not just go ahead and replace the "might be" with IS!

To vitiate an old adage : Life without the Internet is like a Fish without a Bicycle!

 

[wegs]

Replace the "might be" with IS!
To vitiate an old adage : Life without the Internet is like a Fish without a Bicycle!

lol I wouldn't go that far, now.

We all wouldn't be able to chat with each other like this. Everything in moderation.

 

[Seattle]

I think each individual needs to be stronger and more "chill" than that.

I have a friend that is now into the "Landmark Forum" and their followup classes. Some people call it a cult. It's not but there are some similarities.

People who are susceptible to that kind of thing, go there and say that "it changed my life". It's basically a 3 day boot camp where they break you down and built you back up.

They also spend a lot of time making sure that you are going to recruit your friends to take the course as well.

It's a "Professional Development Program" but the bottom line is most people don't need it. Some people are so sensitive and easily persuadable that they might get something from it, unfortunately.

The internet is the same way IMO. You shouldn't be emotionally harmed from internet forums or Facebook. Some are but some would be harmed where ever they are.

For them, there is the Landmark Forum.

Given them the $700 fee. Let go of the past and live in the here and now. The way your father talked to you 20 years ago isn't why you don't have a job or good relationships.

They tell you to quit making "rackets". That's scamming yourself and others. "I'm not good enough so this relationship won't work". "I was never loved so no matter what career I start it won't be good enough".

They deprive you of food and sleep and then bring you up in front of the crowd to talk about your main issues. The leader tells you that you are no good, your friends run away from you don't they, etc. "You" then cry, they say "thank you, you may sit down now" the crowd claps and you feel that you had a mini-break though.

Then the next person stands up and on it goes.

Be positive and live in the now. You control all of your own problems. Just stop thinking that way and the problems go away.

Value "integrity" and they say "like Gandhi and ML King". These are catch words of course.

They tell you that you will make more after you have taken their courses and of course, their follow up course costs even more then the current one but now you can afford it!

My friend says that "some say it's a cult but I don't care because it changed my life!".

To be accurate, they say "don't change your life, transform your life". OK.

She now "coaches" others. Landmark gets paid for the coaching session but she doesn't. She goes to a "free" mandatory meeting every Friday to learn more about coaching.

They efficiently run their business, in part, by relying on super enthusiastic volunteers like her.

This kind of thing only works on a certain percentage of the population. Maybe it's the same percentage that needs a break from Facebook because it's too harmful?

 

[Quantum Quack]

I think that at the end of the day, we're all just as fragile and strong as the next person, and sometimes, things get lost in translation through a medium that just relies on text, like a forum. I went out last night with a friend who I had lost touch with, and we had the best time. He got me thinking on something, how we take things too seriously on social media. Honestly? Offline life is better than online. But, we spend a lot of time online, for our jobs, shopping, communication, and social reasons. It might be causing us more harm than we think.

A lot of it is about respect.
If the forum rules allowed persistent off topic posting then fine. But they don't. There is a very good reason for this rule.
If you wish to chat, flirt, or flame, do it on social med.ia, or start a chat thread.
What does " respectful discussion" mean anyhow?
That said, some members actually wish to be productive in their posts or learn something from others. Respecting this factor is important to the forums success or failure

 

[Seattle]

A lot of it is about respect.
If the forum rules allowed persistent off topic posting then fine. But they don't. There is a very good reason for this rule.
If you wish to chat, flirt, or flame, do it on social med.ia, or start a chat thread.
What does " respectful discussion" mean anyhow?
That said, some members actually wish to be productive in their posts or learn something from others. Respecting this factor is important to the forums success or failure

It means don't call someone an asshole and don't talk about a theory of dark in the Physics forum IMO.

 

[wegs]

I think each individual needs to be stronger and more "chill" than that.

I have a friend that is now into the "Landmark Forum" and their followup classes. Some people call it a cult. It's not but there are some similarities.

People who are susceptible to that kind of thing, go there and say that "it changed my life". It's basically a 3 day boot camp where they break you down and built you back up.

They also spend a lot of time making sure that you are going to recruit your friends to take the course as well.

It's a "Professional Development Program" but the bottom line is most people don't need it. Some people are so sensitive and easily persuadable that they might get something from it, unfortunately.

The internet is the same way IMO. You shouldn't be emotionally harmed from internet forums or Facebook. Some are but some would be harmed where ever they are.

For them, there is the Landmark Forum.

Given them the $700 fee. Let go of the past and live in the here and now. The way your father talked to you 20 years ago isn't why you don't have a job or good relationships.

They tell you to quit making "rackets". That's scamming yourself and others. "I'm not good enough so this relationship won't work". "I was never loved so no matter what career I start it won't be good enough".

They deprive you of food and sleep and then bring you up in front of the crowd to talk about your main issues. The leader tells you that you are no good, your friends run away from you don't they, etc. "You" then cry, they say "thank you, you may sit down now" the crowd claps and you feel that you had a mini-break though.

Then the next person stands up and on it goes.

Be positive and live in the now. You control all of your own problems. Just stop thinking that way and the problems go away.

Value "integrity" and they say "like Gandhi and ML King". These are catch words of course.

They tell you that you will make more after you have taken their courses and of course, their follow up course costs even more then the current one but now you can afford it!

My friend says that "some say it's a cult but I don't care because it changed my life!".

To be accurate, they say "don't change your life, transform your life". OK.

She now "coaches" others. Landmark gets paid for the coaching session but she doesn't. She goes to a "free" mandatory meeting every Friday to learn more about coaching.

They efficiently run their business, in part, by relying on super enthusiastic volunteers like her.

This kind of thing only works on a certain percentage of the population. Maybe it's the same percentage that needs a break from Facebook because it's too harmful?

Hey, let's pretend this is a cult. ^_^ That might be fun(ny)

I know...sticks and stones, but words will never hurt me. But, sometimes words can hurt.

A lot of it is about respect.
If the forum rules allowed persistent off topic posting then fine. But they don't. There is a very good reason for this rule.
If you wish to chat, flirt, or flame, do it on social media, or start a chat thread.
What does " respectful discussion" mean anyhow?

Meanwhile, nearly every thread of mine that I start goes on for pages, and neverrrr stays remotely on topic. I'm starting to think my threads are cursed.

 

[Seattle]

Hey, let's pretend this is a cult. ^_^ That might be fun(ny)

I know...sticks and stones, but words will never hurt me. But, sometimes words can hurt.



Meanwhile, nearly every thread of mine that I start goes on for pages, and neverrrr stays remotely on topic. I'm starting to think my threads are cursed.

Probably ghosts.

The cult of Tiassa? We are always angry but don't know why, but our yearly income has gone up 25 percent since we got with the program so I'm sold!