# Idiots. I'm surrounded by \*idiots\*. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 8, 2001, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255 "2001-11-08T19:39:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tiberius451](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@Tiberius451](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tiberius451)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/41 "2001-11-09T02:34:50Z")
Guys, I’ve never played before, but I’d like to get in if you don’t mind a newbie… ---
**Author:** ![Firx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Firx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Firx)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/42 "2001-11-09T03:04:50Z")
I’d like to play as well. I’ve never played outside RL, but the email format seems like fun. ---
**Author:** ![RocknRoll\_Killing\_Machine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5daacb/32.png) [@RocknRoll\_Killing\_Machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RocknRoll_Killing_Machine)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/43 "2001-11-09T03:11:32Z")
I have _no_ clue of how to play, but it sounds fun. If you wouldn’t mind having such a liability around, I’d love to play. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/44 "2001-11-09T06:28:00Z")
I am interested, but I know very little about Diplomacy. So mebbe there could be a game for us newbies and a game for the vets, by which I mean people who have actually played before?🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/45 "2001-11-09T14:59:50Z")
I’ve played the board game a few times, but not in about years, and frankly I sucked the big one at it. Still, I’d be interested in a newbies or novice only game if there were enough people interested. I’d hate to muck up a game for more advanced players with my ineptitude. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/46 "2001-11-09T15:19:14Z")
Having newbies around in a vet game is a very, very **good** thing. I in fact urge against dividing it so rigidly. It is good for the veterans for several reasons. We love stabbing fresh meat, quite frankly. 😉 Second, newbies are not necessarily receptive to the same, tired old rational self-interest arguments that are the peat and potatoes of the game. We have to use alternative forms of persuasion. More importantly, all-newbie games stagnate really quickly, and people lose interest easily when nothing happens. People generally play too tentatively and thus the game swiftly grows boring. I suggest mixing up the newbies and the grizzled vets. MR ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/47 "2001-11-09T15:21:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Lordy, that game will forever be a triumph of mine. Indeed. I would like to extend a personal thanks to **lno** and **John Corrado** for providing hours and hours of drama and entertainment during my dismally boring work day. Kudos on bringing about one of the most tear-jerkingly beautiful concert actions I have ever seen in the game of Diplomacy. MR ---
**Author:** ![Pucette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/278dde/32.png) [@Pucette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pucette)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/48 "2001-11-09T15:28:00Z")
And apparently, some buffoon seems to think that “Italy was in a bad, bad way.” \ I’m going to pass up on this round of games - having no internet access at home is a cruel cruel thing when playing diplomacy. All this scheming going on and you can’t even get your 2 cents in until it’s too late! Well ok that happens anyway, but you know what I mean… ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/49 "2001-11-09T15:28:09Z")
OK, then. I agree. We’ll mix the newbies and the vets. But I note that only those people previously mentioned: \*\* John Corrado Weirddave Maeglin lno \*\* Have written to me. I don’t want to be in the position of playing favorites from those who have posted so it’s the first seven or fourteen that email me at [nwooley@pur.com](mailto:nwooley@pur.com). The first website can be seen at [http://www.wooleysark.com/dip/934](http://www.wooleysark.com/dip/934) So email me if you’re interested and want to play. Don’t be scared that you’re too new. While I won’t provide play advice I will provide rules advice for the newbies. Let’s get this show on the road! ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Abe\_Babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Babe)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/50 "2001-11-09T15:39:49Z")
I’m in, but may need some refresher. Put me firmly in the intermediate category. Is there some way to join at your site? Or do you just input people when you are ready? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/51 "2001-11-09T15:45:49Z")
Drop me an email with your country preferences. The countries are: Austria England France Germany Italy Russia Turkey Everyone who applies please email your list to: [nwooley@pur.com](mailto:nwooley@pur.com) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/52 "2001-11-09T16:29:02Z")
Starting to get some emails in… Currently in game one are: John Corrado (Russia) Weirddave Maeglin lno Abe Babe iampunha That leaves one open slot for game one. Keep those emails coming folks! I won’t register game two until I get demand for it! [nwooley@pur.com](mailto:nwooley@pur.com) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/53 "2001-11-09T16:38:14Z")
I’ve started taking registrants for Game Two. Six more players needed there! Game One: John Corrado (Russia) Weirddave Maeglin lno Abe Babe iampunha Dewey Cheatem Undhom Game Two: A person who hasn’t yet given me her handle and I won’t post a real name here without permission. [nwooley@pur.com](mailto:nwooley@pur.com) ---
**Author:** ![Clarissa\_xx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Clarissa\_xx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarissa_xx)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/54 "2001-11-09T16:39:29Z")
I’ll play! I’ve already sent you an email. I had a bf that used to play this all the time and I still have the game sitting in the closet. I even played a couple of times, enjoyed it but wasn’t that good. So, a newbie here that will play. ---
**Author:** ![Clarissa\_xx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Clarissa\_xx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clarissa_xx)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/55 "2001-11-09T17:18:12Z")
Nobody wants to play with me??? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/56 "2001-11-09T17:44:41Z")
Hey, that’s Undho **w**! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/57 "2001-11-09T17:52:01Z")
I’d like to play, but currently playing two 1856 and one Amber e-mail games, plus the arrival of Civ3 here in the UK on Nov 16 🆒 make it impractical. Good luck, everyone (look behind you!). And here is a nightmare situation for your consideration… UK Individual Championships - I draw Italy. (Better than Austria in my opinion). Russia and Turkey make it clear they will form a juggernaut. England and France huddle together as well. Austria says “I don’t need you, I can take care of myself.” :rolleyes: Germany misorders. Austria is out in Aut 02. :eek: (OK, I was trying to make a point!). The two alliances crush Germany and head for me. They don’t want to negotiate, saying a 4-way battle will do them nicely. So I had a think… … and said “the first enemy unit on italian soil means I hand my units over to the other side.” Pause. OK, 5 way draw. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/58 "2001-11-09T18:00:07Z")
As we need 6 more folks to keep Clarissa company… I’m posting a MPSIMS thread directing people over here. First six get in. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/59 "2001-11-09T18:16:57Z")
Gah, this is torture! I _want_ to join in, I do. But I can’t guarantee that I’ll have access to the internet over the Christmas holidays, so there’s no way I can commit to a game in good faith ☹ Oh well, it’s probably for the best. I have all these stupid obligations anyway, like getting a degree in a timely manner… ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255/60 "2001-11-09T19:05:28Z")
I’ll keep **Clarissa\_xx** company. I need some people even worse than me to sign up so I don’t look like a total dolt. Anyone aware of where I can brush up on the rules [particularly for email play]? Aside from [This Page](http://www.spiralspider.demon.co.uk/games/diprules.htm/), I was hard pressed to google anything up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiots-im-surrounded-by-idiots/92255.md?page=4)