Is Poetic Running for CSM8?

No.

People ask me, so I figure I'll give the definitive answer, even though I've given that answer a few times in tweets and comments the last month or so.

I could probably just end this post here, but some of you will want some added explanation. For those that don't care for more words, the tl;dr is in the first paragraph of this post.

Why won't I run?

It basically boils down to two reasons.

The first. Experience. I don't think my experience in EVE Online is broad enough. I don't believe I have the breadth or depth of knowledge to run for CSM. I don't want people without nullsec knowledge weighing in on nullsec issues. I don't want people who do little manufacturing to be giving their opinions to CCP on industry. I don't want that out of a CSM representative, so why would I potentially put myself in a position where I'd be doing it?

My experience is currently with faction warfare. It will likely remain with faction warfare for some time. Faction warfare is not going to be on the CCP development slate in 2013. My experience with ships is pretty low. I'm still learning stuff everyday, but I've neither the time or inclination to really dig into ship-related issues. Man, I downright hate theory crafting and rarely spend time in EFT or Pyfa. I prefer to just ask on comms "Anyone have a good Thorax fit?" And then someone links one, and I will use it (or fiddle with it a bit.) I've enough knowledge that I can look at a fit and generally know how to fly it, but not enough knowledge to be creating excellent fits from scratch. I have no idea why CCP Fozzie does what he does when he's balancing. That's why you've never seen a post from me talking about ship balancing. I just trust that he knows what he's doing, because of his long experience as a player. A CSM rep should be able to examine and critique these balances, ask intelligent questions, perhaps suggest other alternatives.

I'm lazy when it comes to learning mechanics. I know what I need to know, and don't delve much into anything I'm not currently doing in game. Industry. Manufacturing. Invention. I know some basics, because I'm curious enough in that regard, and I read blog posts, but the minutiae I don't get into it. I save those blog posts for that time in the future when I decide I might want to get into it, but until then I don't have a lot of patience learning about something I'm not currently involved with.

That's not someone who is going to make a stellar CSM representative. It's really not fair to anyone if I'm learning stuff on the job, so to speak.

I think a good CSM should be an expert in their particular field, and then have some good knowledge on a few other areas of the game. Take Hans. Whereas I didn't much like his personality as a CSM representative, he was an expert at faction warfare, and he had some additional knowledge in the realm of ships, booster manufacturing, and some lowsec piracy. In terms of knowledge base, he made a decent CSM representative. Of course, you wouldn't want Hans delving into nullsec and capital ship issues (although he probably did, because he can't help but stick his nose into everything), but he wouldn't need too, there were other people on the council who were experts in that area of the game.

The second reason is privacy. I have no problem with CCP knowing who I am. They already do, of course. I'm a subscriber. But I really do not need the entire playerbase knowing who I am. It's unfortunate, but the "fuck with people" mentality that I love so much about the game, well, some people like to extend that far outside the game as well. Just look at the sorts of harassment The Mittani got outside of game after his Fanfest 2012 adventure. I'm a polarizing, dude. I've little doubt that there would be people who would try to fuck with my life, my job, outside of the game, for shits and giggles.

I'm not suggesting that I'm in any physical danger from crazies, but I'd rather not have to deal with harassment of any sort out-of-game. Harassment in-game, that's cool. Out of it, nah, not interested.

I know the privacy issue is keeping a lot of actually qualified people from ever running for the CSM.

Basically it boils down to the fact that I see the CSM as an actual responsibility. I'm not interested in the CSM monicker itself. The little forum tag. I'm not interested in feathering my resume cap with a fancy title.  For many people that run for CSM, that's all that they're looking for. The ego boost. The "I'm a somebody, I'm CSM" recognition. Obviously, I have a bit of an ego, I write a blog. But I've not so much of an ego that being CSM just for the title is of any interest to me.

***

If I were running for CSM, here are a few campaign promises you could have expected:

• to keep players informed on what's going on. Even if I could not reveal specific information due to NDA issues, general overviews can be given in broad terms.
• to not get too friendly with CCP. Hell, it's not like we're all going to be friends. Acquaintances at the most. Different countries and such as all that. I would promise not to exchange Christmas cards with CCP people. I promise not to treat CCP employees like celebrities.
• to always troll super-carebears on the forums, because those are some of the most amusing posts on the EVE Online forums. If I were running 2013, I would definitely troll those people who think miner bumping needs to be fixed.
• to keep people informed on the process. I'm always interested in the CCP/CSM process and relationship. I would definitely keep people informed on how it all works.
• to call out CSM members if they are letting CCP malfeasance slide in favour of keeping their new CCP Skype pals happy.
• to keep focused on whatever game strengths I bring to the table.