Rethinking my stance regarding Imperial slaves [Poll]

[Mysturji]

I am, and always have been against slavery in all its forms. Even in the original Elite, I only ever dealt in slaves after scooping the escape capsule of a pirate who was silly enough to attack me. Last year I went to Robigo after reading about how lucrative the missions there were, and was disappointed that nearly every mission was transporting slaves of one kind or another. I think I made about 4.5 million by delivering narcotics & weapons before I got fed up and did something else, because only slave missions were left.
I'm a Premium Beta kickstarter backer, been playing since way before the official release, with over 10 weeks in-game time.
I have a respectable fleet (Asp Explorer, Diamondback Explorer, Cobra Mk III, Cobra Mk IV, Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Viper Mk III, Viper Mk IV, Python, Keelback, T9) but it's nowhere near awesome, and I do get a wee bit peeved at all the n00bs strutting around in their Corvettes, Cutters, Anacondas etc. after playing for 2 weeks.
I just got back from DW after 6 months in the black and once I sell all my data, I'll be looking for something else to do for a while.
I hear lots of Imperial-slaver-scum types sayin things like "it's not like they're actual, real slaves: They chose to become Imperial slaves for a fixed-term contract rather than going to debtor's prison, right?"
But then, that's Imperial-slaver-scum talking. Can't trust 'em.

It's not just for the money. It's not just for the ships, it's not just for the trade rank (currently Entrepreneur)... You see, 2.2 is coming, and that means multi-crew, and I really want one of these for a co-pilot:

Spoiler

Should my CMDR relax his moral standards and deal in Imperial slaves?

Whoops: typo. Option 2 should start "Partly", and I forgot to include the option "Do it for the co-pilot".

 

[Vasious]

Whilst the inter system trade of Imperials Slaves is legal it
1) Is open to rampant corruption and illegal trade outside the Empire by many factions, including notable Imperial [player] factions
2) Represents a failure of the Patrons to provide employment opportunities within system to allow the Debtors to work off their debt

 

[DNA-Decay]

Uh. I got something to say.
Brb.
--- --- --- --- ---
Uh no.
Too controversial.

I wear the AEDC suit and tie these days.

I gave slavers what my old man used to call: "A free character assessment."

If you want to fly a cutter, you need patience or lack of morals.

Slavery is the in-game "bad moral choice".
It could be anything.
It just needs to be easy money, and illegal and wrong in the real world.
It's a shame that it's so easy to turn a blind eye to it.
I kinda wish that FDev had chosen something edgier and more divisive.
More clearly morally abhorrent.
Something that if your real friends at work knew you were transporting in a game they would think twice about going near you. Something that would make the papers. "They have WHAT as a cargo"

Anyway if you can think of something like that.
THAT is what I think of slavers.


Mind you, some of my favourite people are slavers, and I've moved 8 to raise an anarchy faction.
So pots, kettles etc.

 

[Luniticisi]

I don't kill innocent people ...


.... But I will sell them.

 

[Rob At Work]

You are getting your centuries mixed up.

We are in the 34th century and you are thinking about it like they did back in the 21st century.

You need to get with it, me old China!

 

[Iskariot]

Should my CMDR relax his moral standards and deal in Imperial slaves?

That is a question you can only answer for yourself.
Of course Imperial slaves are just slaves.
The slavers only have a nice story to ease their conscience, because in the end money is the only thing that counts.
It is comparable to the slavery system for Hebrew slaves as depicted in the Hebrew holy book. It is the same type of inhumane corruption garnished with some nice sounding words.
Just look at the way the Imperial slaves are transported like animals, or how they are traded per ton. It betrays their real status. All the nice words mean nothing.

I do trade in slaves myself by the way, and not just imperial slaves.
But that is because they are just treated like any other commodity in the game.
If the slaves in the game could be made to feel like real, suffering human beings and if there was a slave freeing mechanic in the game I would be much more attracted to invest in that.

 

[Brusilov]

In the name of profit everything is trade!

 

[DrakeAurum]

The whole system is corrupt. Credit agencies run under the auspices of Denton Patreus and his ilk operate as industrial-scale slave production facilities, offering cheap credit to the desperate and the gullible and then pulling the rug out from under them whenever there's an upsurge in demand for slaves.

If the Empire could truly afford to pay all these people enough to live frugally and still pay off their debts, then it could afford to pay free citizens the same wage for their work. The only way Imperial Slavery could be more economically viable is if its pay and/or conditions are worse than any free citizen would willingly endure.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

cant vote because they all take the notion that imperial slaves are bad.

imperial slaves are slaves in name only.... infact what they are are people who voluntarily sign up to get a protected standard of living, guaranteed employment so a fixed time, during which any debts will be paid off / or money sent to family - and at the end of it they get a clean slate, possibly with a new set of life skills to carry them forward.

So I say, trade in imperial slaves with a clean conscience, steer clear of "slaves" unless it is to rescue them from a cold hard death in space.****

of course an imp slave standard of life is going to be at the lower end of the scale, but if a person for what ever reason has gotten themselves into such a mess that they are facing homelessness/death and possible illegal slavery, then the imp slaves are the better alternative.

***taking my RP hat off for a minute, this is something FD need to fix, I want to be able to "rescue" these guys and then release to authorities on landing without facing a fine for smuggling.

 

[Camulus]

The whole system is corrupt.

That's why we need champions of justice. Seriously though, if the game was more 'player flexible' it would be great to see political aims beyond what is currently available. The League Against Slavery or The Society for Free Chaff Launchers. Free Chaff being a well known political prisoner of the Empire.

 

[jasonbarron]

Imperial Slaves are indentured servants who are trying to improve their lives. I'm just facilitating that improvement.

 

[Arindor]

I would like to make a statement:

Durante Enterprises has always had a policy against the trading of non-legitmate slaves, and rigorously assesses the legalities regarding the transportation of all livestock. After a high-level meeting with board members at its headquarters in Toofla, Durante Enterprises has now extended its definition of non-legitimate slavery to include Imperial Slaves. Though some factions in Imperial space will be disappointed with this outcome, Durante Enterprises assures those factions that they will not be treated any differently. In addition to its existing policy regarding ship manifests, employee manifests will be dilligently checked for Imperial Slaves, and those employees who accept such delivery contracts will be fired without further notice, with bounties issued where appropriate. This is by no means a fail safe against those employees who may still try to circumvent these rules, but the board agrees that it is a step in the right direction.

 

[tomalus]

You guys have a problem in transporting imperial slaves, on the other side you dont have a problem of being a mass murderer and killing thousands of ai ships, makes no sense.

 

[Steve_T]

I've voted for "No, remain a force for freedom...". Slave trading is one of the reasons I oppose the Empire. That and the fact that they're a bunch of snooty inbreds with delusions of grandeur.

 

[Mysturji]

You guys have a problem in transporting imperial slaves, on the other side you dont have a problem of being a mass murderer and killing thousands of ai ships, makes no sense.

Only in self-defence, or the defence of others (their past and future innocent victims).

 

[CMDR Cillian Raynor]

I believe all living things are born to be free and equal in dignity and rights. without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. I believe everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person and that no one shall be held in slavery or servitude and that slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms and no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.




That is....



Until you offer me 500k + to trade slaves.


"These are my principles. If you don't like them, i have others" - Groucho Marx

 

[satrycus]

'Imperial Slaves'? You must be using the Federation game client, it should say 'Indentured Servants'.

 

[MickyG1982]

Imp slaves chose to become that way to pay off their financial debts, in a way you are helping them out...

 

[Miklos Atreides]

In makeing sure Iperials are falling under Imperial law I deal Imperials in the most ethical way possible.
Buying Imperials outside of the Empire. (as Imperials outside the Empire are illegal (always)).
Selling them back at Imperial stations. So I did a good thing to ensure Imperals are handled properly
according to emprial laws again instead being handled as a premium slave.

Regads,
Miklos

 

[Banana's_Are_Good_For_You]

Slaving is bad. Don't be that guy...