[spoon-discuss] Re: [Spoon-business] Speaking of mayhem...

[Daniel Lepage <dplepage@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at 10:20  PM, Baron von Skippy wrote:

> > Players are defined. From r13 (aptly named "Definitions"):
> > "A player is any entity who is capable of passing the Turing test,
> > consents to said designation as a player, has become a player in the
> > manner described in the rules, and who consents to be governed by the
> > rules. "
> >
> > Which, I think, is the thing bd was talking about that you fail to
> > repeal in your new player definition prop.
> -I'm not sure how I missed that one. On the other hand, it and Rule 26 
> have an interesting interaction.
>
> I make a CFI:
> {{
> Statement: It is not possible for new players to join B Nomic.
> }}
> <snip>
> Note I didn't change my name, I joined /again/ 49 times. And all 50 of 
> me are using this account.

I'd like to suggest an alternative interpretation, one which was, I 
believe, already discussed and accepted when WC pointed out that e was 
still a player. You, the human being, are an entity who consents to be 
governed by the rules, can pass a turing test, consents to be called a 
player, and has become a player as prescribed by the rules. You are, 
therefore, a player; following the process again won't change this, 
because there's still just one of you.

I'd also think that an entity "otherwise qualified as a Player" is any 
entity that fits the qualifications, but is not a Player already, in 
which case you're not eligible.

Finally, if you become a new player, *you* become a new player; i.e., 
any old player that you might have been ceases to exist, because you're 
someone new now. So if you can indeed become a new player despite 
already being one, then you are now Vulcan, a newbie who joined this 
nweek; the Baron was before your time, having vanished mere instants 
before you joined. You have, in effect, usurped your past self like a 
butterfly takes over from a caterpillar. Although your past self was 
considerably better off, and had a lot more in the way of style, 
titles, respect, etc. So it's less like an ugly caterpillar becoming a 
beautiful butterfly, and more like an ugly caterpillar turning into a 
beautiful lump of damp formica. With no points.

But I don't think you need to worry about booting yourself out, since I 
think the interpretation where you can't join if you're already playing 
is already established.

--
Wonko

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