Subject: In Response to Nate... Date: Wed, 06 May 1998 10:09:24 -0500 From: Kenneth Roth To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com In Response to Nate: I would like to begin this with a discussion of the trap that Nate has tried to lay for anyone who attempts to respond to him… "Point is, everyone has been in a similiar situation and done the 'unethical' play at least once or twice" and "Whether they admit it or not, all people cheat in a little way" Nate has set up the expectation that regardless of how you respond to him, you are being a hypocrite because, as he so plainly states, not only HAVE you cheated, but you would again. Then, of course, since you have done such horrible things his situation number 4 stresses that making the move to drawing extra cards an almost inevitable step that you WILL take (he doesn’t openly state this, but it is the intent of situation #4). Allow me to state this with CRYSTAL clarity Nate: No, as a matter of fact, everyone in that situation would NOT do the unethical play. Period. People who do these things and then make such comments are merely trying to excuse their own actions because they actually DO have this thing called a conscience that is bugging them, so they try to lump everyone in the same pool. Won’t work because everyone isn’t in the same pool... Let’s get one thing straight. None of the three listed events are even remotely acceptable. Nate says that: "Anyways, I don't feel it is my responsibility to correct my opponent's mistakes (yes, I feel my #1-3 examples should be considered mistakes made by your opponent)." Actually Nate, it IS your responsibility. What your opponent is doing is not a ‘tactical error’ or a ‘poor choice’ but something that is NOT actually occuring in the game. He/she has not taken 3 random points of damage, the wyvern has not died, and (this one is the real cheat) your sliver IS dead. The play board is supposed to represent reality in the game. It is the task of both players to make sure that it remains so, because there are always situations in which someone is going to forget something mandatory. For the record Nate, this doesn’t make me think of you as a cheater (my opinions have been made long before this one way or the other), but it does remind me of how pathetic people can be. Yes, you read that right, pathetic. There has always been a struggle between those who strive to maintain order and ‘right’ against those who take the low road. The low road is just easier and is more often taken by the weaker person. Your comment ".. What makes cheating unethical, or a bad thing to do?" reflects that point. Cheating is unethical because it IS. It is your choice to take the low road, reap whatever temporary rewards it gives as payment, but it is a slippery slope and when the pro tour actually starts caring about cheating (and don’t give me any BS, it doesn’t right yet.. maybe, just maybe it is starting to though) those who follow that path will be unceremoniously thrown out on their ears. Then those who actually play the game, the people who are already on the higher road that you refuse to acknowledge will be reaping the rewards that they earned and they will STILL be the better person than you. Now let’s remind ourselves of another fallacy that you present. There are two types of magic players: One is there socially, to have a good time and see people. The other is there, as you say ‘to make big bucks’. Then, near the end of your essay you clearly imply that the type types are opposed: one cheats and the other doesn’t. So you have decided that IF you are on the Pro Tour to win money (a fine goal if you ask me) THEN you are cheating or would be if you were smart. You make a token statement that "Now don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying cheating should be tolerated" that is a smoke screen. You are saying it shouldn’t be tolerated if it is caught, but if you can get away with it, fine. You forget Nate, that the rules basically state that unethical IS equal to cheating (being that both are unsportsmanlike). There is grey area, but it certainly isn’t where you are trying to put it. And, let’s make one last point... $15,700 over three years. My man, if you are going to take the low road in life, you really can do much better than that... Ken Roth DCI Certified Level III judge Ex-Pro Tour player (and money winner) Director of Operations, Great Lakes Games