Cross Atu
OSG Planetary Operations
Covert Intervention
2538
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Posted - 2014.07.06 18:19:00 -
[1] - Quote
Since the final candidates list was posted I have spent more time than IGÇÖd care to dwell on, attempting to figure out my ballot. It seemed an important step, not only because of the basic need to vote but also because as a candidate my reasons for voting speak to both my transparency and my possible strengths and weaknesses as a member of CPM 1.
The process of winnowing down our rich candidate field to a selection of seven, and seven including myself, has been somewhat harrowing. When I entered the candidate field I hardly knew any of the other individuals running, even by reputation, so the last many weeks have been comprised of some intense research and wide spectrum information gathering. Sadly this also means that many candidates, who seem to be of quality, have simply not been within my field of view deeply enough or for long enough to allow me the chance to confidently form an impression.
Making it even harder has been the overall quality of the field in question, IGÇÖd be glad to work with the overwhelming majority of candidates in the race, based on what I know of them presently.
The following is posted to advise, not define, community votes. If you personally have a strong understanding of a specific candidate not present here and you have confidently concluded they will represent you, then by all means vote for them!
What I will present here is not only my ballot, but the method I used to select it and then a little bit of annotation about each name on the list as it stands. (IGÇÖve included myself at the top, obviously as with any candidate, IGÇÖm on my own ballot  )
The role of a CPM will require communication, it will contain stressful times, and disagreements. It is certain that over the course of the year any member elected will have disappointments, disagreements, and instances of making mistakes/overlooking some relevant information or idea.
As such it is vital in my view that we be able to count on our CPM 1 to be both diverse and level headed. Each candidate on my list has locked horns with me (at least once ) on game related issues and each candidate listed has demonstrated an ability to do so without making the discussions with me adversarial, non-constructive, or allowing them to be carried over into dysfunctional grudges later. In short, theyGÇÖve proven that during their interactions with me they can be mature, constructive, and still stand their ground when they believe I am in error. I could ask for no better foundation in my push to make CPM 1 a useful community tool, hopefully from day 1.
Vote Cross Atu for CPM1- An emergent candidate
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Cross Atu
OSG Planetary Operations
Covert Intervention
2538
|
Posted - 2014.07.06 18:19:00 -
[2] - Quote
1. Cross Atu - IGÇÖve spent the lead up to the elections putting on display reasons why IGÇÖd make a viable candidate, and you can find a wealth of information about me by digging into my thread and itsGÇÖ links. Beyond the fundamental will to engage and represent the community which is the foundation of being a part of CPM 1 I also bring prior experience in this type of position from other games. This has engendered in me a willingness to hear out views that differ from my own, and the resolve not to alter a perspective in the absence of sound information.
2. Pokey Dravon - It was Pokey, during the long hours spent together pouring over game data and macro level idea sets, who drew my candidacy fully into light and action. His ability to transmute abstract ideas into visual information, and his willingness to spend hours upon hours honing a project or idea, only to take it back to the drawing board if a fatal flaw is brought to his attention, is exactly the kind of level headed dedication CPM 1 would benefit from.
3. Soraya Xel - Xel has a will to communicate, the experience of in game leadership, and a technical background, yes. But what really cemented the quality of his candidacy for me was hearing him debate with a GÇÿroomGÇÖ full of people regarding the game. On that subject all of them, myself included, vehemently disagreed with Soraya, but he made his case without losing his cool or becoming hostile, he responded to questions, and even when his overall stance was rejected by that group he remained mature, positive and constructive. My prior experience has shown me that the ability to behave in such a collected manner in the face of a rejected idea will be vital fulfilling a role like the CPM and Soraya Xel has it in spades.
4. Zatara Rought - Zatara has been both condemned and condoned for his frequent involvement in both PC and GÇÿThe War RoomGÇÖ, and while his competitive experiences could prove an asset to CPM 1 it is almost a shame to me that they have overshadowed the player behind the persona.
While Zatara can be over energetic at times in expressing his views he takes careful pains to include everyone in the conversation, often pausing to address someone who has been silent for awhile. He is also no stranger to calling himself out when he sees where heGÇÖs made a mistake and when hearing a view presented that disputes his own he asks for reasons why, rather than immediately going on the attack. It is Zataras conversational personality, even more than his in game speciality, that recommends him to the office of CPM.
5. Aeon Amadi - Aeon has pushed strongly for various community initiatives, showing already that heGÇÖs willing to acknowledge the CPMs role as an advocate for the community. He has also openly stated when he feels his personal knowledge on a subject is lacking and deferred to gathering information rather than trying to define a stance without proper research. And of course he passes my acid test of having come down opposite me on an issue, debated the point, and been a constructive, reasonable individual about it both during and after.
6. The Black Jackal - TBJ (aka The thunder from down under for the Biomassed listeners among you) has been a long time GÇÿsparing partnerGÇÖ of mine within my home in the feedback section.
He and I have been locking horns and debating ideas since early in the closed beta process, sometimes getting rather intense about it. Which makes him a shining example of the maturity needed to be a CPM because in all of our conversations via comms, forums or other mediums, even with our frequent disagreements, Jackal has not wavered in his cordiale, productive, and positive approach to discourse. Not only is his diplomacy an asset but with our frequent disagreements on the record itGÇÖs safe to say that if both Jackel and I come around to agreeing on an idea it likely has some substantive merit to back it.
7. Iron Wolf Saber - A figure of some controversy, and great proliferation around the forums, it is safe to say that IWS has ruffled more than a few feathers along the road, mine among them.
That is in fact, perhaps ironically to some, exactly why he rounds out my list. IWS and I have locked horns, and he holds the - perhaps dubious - distinction of eliciting posts from me that were more heated than my usual standards allow for. However in the face of my less than ideal response, and focused insistence that the very concept he was discussing was fundamentally flawed and should be chucked, Iron Wolf continued to engage me in conversation, reply to my posts, and present his ideas rather than be drawn into hyperbole or wanton attacks. Furthermore, months later having migrated out of beta and into the longest running New Eden council term ever, Iron Wolf fielded the questions I put to him with good graces and energy. Engaging me in debate based on the information, not on ego, past grudges, or a bitterness over where we disagree.
While some of you may doubt Iron Wolfs methods - I know that I did for quite some time - his passion for, and dedication to, the concepts underpinning Dust 514 has shown to be substantial and enduring, traits Dust 514 could use more of. This combination of dedication and professionalism during his interactions with me pushes him past my acid test and onto my ballot. Where I am confident that even when I disagree with him, I will still be able to work with him in a Dust positive and constructive manner.
Vote Cross Atu for CPM1- An emergent candidate
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