The Family Meeting, Part 5

Previously, on MinerBumping... Joden Ka struggled to accept the new highsec reality. Upon losing his mining barge, Joden appealed to the MinerBumping channel in a fairly disastrous performance. He declared that he never wanted to speak with anyone from the New Order again. Yet Joden soon found himself in a private conference with Agent TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet.

Joden Ka > so let me get things stright
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Sure, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have
Joden Ka > evidenlty alot has changed since i left
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > When exactly did you last play?
Joden Ka > 2011

The miner hailed from 2011, the pre-Code era. No wonder he'd been so confused. He was one of those Rip Van Winkle miners.

TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > The fact is that the group I represent has the power necessary to enforce our claims, and nobody has managed to dislodge or defeat us.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > That's realpolitik.
Joden Ka > everything changes with time
Joden Ka > but enough posturing

TheInternet made it known that the Order was here to stay. Joden hoped, perhaps, that if he disappeared for another six years, highsec might return to the way it was. But the Code is forever.

TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > You suggested you would leave Highsec rather than comply with the Code - and very publically.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > In a New Order channel.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > I tried to warn you that you weren't making your case well, but you insisted on ignoring my warnings.
Joden Ka > well i was being called a liar and ignorant

Joden tried to make excuses for his earlier conduct. Our Agent wasn't buying it. The miner had dug quite a hole for himself, but TheInternet could help him out of it.

TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Despite these things I am still willing to help you, but as you say
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > You need to stop posturing
Joden Ka > lol wow
Joden Ka > im not posturing
Joden Ka > ok so how can we resolve this situation we find ourselves in?

For the time being, Joden was willing to put aside his grudge against the New Order and focus on finding a solution. That attitude would soon be tested.

TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > You will need to purchase a mining permit at the 30m ISK Red Pen Violation rate.
Joden Ka > yea i didnt have the 10mill and i won't have the 30mill
Joden Ka > so i guess this conversation was pointless
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > I would suggest you borrow the ISK from a friend.
Joden Ka > umm no friends.....just started remember

So many miners fail at this point in their journey. They simply can't imagine giving up any of their isk--not to another player. They are bot-aspirants.

TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Frankly, mining is a terrible income - if I were you I would do something else.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > I've got an idea for you, as it happens.
Joden Ka > oh really
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Not today, but tomorrow - what you should do is head to Jita. Bring a T1 hauler with a MWD.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Do as I say and the rest should come naturally.

TheInternet came through on her promises. She offered Joden the chance to make a lot of money and actually enjoy the game.

Joden Ka > ok why?
Joden Ka > so you guys can kill me again?
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Hardly.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > I haven't given you a time.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > You think we're going to camp Jita all day just for you and a T1 hauler?
Joden Ka > sorry but im not in the most trusting mood

As usual, the miner was his own worst enemy. He ignored TheInternet's wisdom.

TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Do as I said, when you get the ISK, come and pay your debt to me.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Have a bit of faith here.
Joden Ka > HA faith huh in a corp that one if its msmbers killed me
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > You say that as if it's a bad thing
Joden Ka > it is
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > For some it's a course correction

A lack of faith is one of the biggest reasons miners are unable to succeed in EVE. That's another thing they should put into the official tutorial.

Joden Ka > im irish we are stubborn
Joden Ka > the only reason im here is because i shouldnt have to look over my shoulder everytime i go mining
Joden Ka > i think i have a right to be mad
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > TBH if losses actually make you mad, I'm not sure if this game is really for you
Joden Ka > ok lets make this simple.......if you think you know whats best for me. keep it to yourself. im pretty reasonable if treated like an equal

The miner bristled. Joden must've known that TheInternet had far more success and experience in EVE than he did, but his pride kept him from listening.

Joden Ka > dont call me a liar or ignorant or think of me as stupid
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > On a person to person level, I respect your basic human dignity
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > in EVE, you are not my equal
Joden Ka > you should treat people as equals no matter where you are....... it's called manners
Joden Ka > id give the shirt off my back to help
Joden Ka > no matter my osition

It's amazing how noble and respectful and generous miners can be in hypothetical situations. In actual situations, they're anything but.

Joden Ka > laugh all you want
Joden Ka > lol im not delusional but i treat people the same no matter what im doing
Joden Ka > your arrogant in the way you talk
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > You're a miner
Joden Ka > listen dude
Joden Ka > i don't have to mine

TheInternet made Joden contemplate, for the first time, a new possibility: He didn't have to mine. He didn't have to mine!

Joden Ka > ok let me get this straight
Joden Ka > i need a permit to mine and run missions but it's a mining permit
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Mining indulgences are required for all Highsec activities, including mining, hauling, mission running, etc.
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > We regularly police the commerce lanes for illicit freighter traffic.
Joden Ka > see i would have been ok with getting a permit for mining to mine but im not going to pay for a mining permit to run missions, thats absurd

The bot-aspirant's narrow, programmatic view of the world got in his way again. He'd been so close to an important realization about not needing to mine.

Joden Ka > thats not what the permit says
Joden Ka > it says mining
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > You're going to try and explain to me what the permits we sell do?
Joden Ka > cause all it sounds like is extortion to me and your guys want to be paid so people can play this game in peace

Joden drifted back into the mire of miner clichés and bot-aspirancy.

Despite the miner's difficulties, simply being in the presence of a New Order Agent was bound to have a positive impact sooner or later.

Joden Ka > ok and down the rabbit hole we go
Joden Ka > sorry but i don't need you or your friends permission to play this game
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > Of course not, you are free to leave Highsec.
Joden Ka > and no im not leaving highsec
Joden Ka > so if thats the only thing your gonna preach then i have nothing more to say . i will continue to play my game in peace
TheInternet TweepsOnline TheInternet > clearly not my friend
Joden Ka > i was hoping for a rational conversation
Joden Ka > good day

The conversation was too philosophically challenging for Joden. He could not bear to continue.

However...

After the convo with TheInternet, Joden had a change of heart. He sent a message to Agent Zopiclone--the ganker to whom he'd been so rude before. At last, Joden admitted to himself the power of the Code. He was unwilling to buy a permit, so he chose to abandon the path of the miner, leave highsec, and join a nullsec alliance. 'Twas another victory for the New Order and its slogan: "No miner left behind."