# Trouble in Paradise (Mafia Game Thread)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-in-paradise-mafia-game-thread/735585>\
**Category:** Thread Games\
**Created:** [October 23, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-in-paradise-mafia-game-thread/735585 "2015-10-23T22:52:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 196

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**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-in-paradise-mafia-game-thread/735585/196 "2015-10-27T16:32:44Z")

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FYI, my general pattern tends to be a robust post in the morning before work and smaller, less analytical posts during the day. This morning’s post isn’t going to be as robust as I’d like, but I’ll still pop in for quick takes today. Weekends will always be a crap shoot. I may sit and analyze for hours, I may not be able to log in.

> [@Astral\_Rejection](#):
>
> I meant to ask earlier: can you point to examples of Dead Cat’s unnecessarily combative posts?

This is as good a place to start as any. I took a look at DC and PP’s posts as promised, with this question in mind specifically. Here are some of the more combative or problematic. (“Combative” maybe not have been the best word):

> [@Dead\_Cat](#):
>
> In terms of voting, I think I’m going to wait and see if anyone stays suspiciously quiet for the next few days before I decide, though I feel some good points have been made already.

This context is important. This isn’t a combative post, but it shows there was a pivot from lynch the lurker to lynching the loudest.

> [@Dead\_Cat](#):
>
> I am now pretty suspicious of Prof. P, and a little suspicious of IRConfused and TexCat. But not suspicious enough to vote for any of them yet.

So a smudge with virtually no reasoning behind it. Given the very early stage of the game, it’s not too troubling, but it led to escalation.

> [@Dead\_Cat](#):
>
> Anyway, while I am generally in favour of “lynch the lurker” as a valid opening tactic (for the reasons already stated by me and others), I feel at this point we have a real opportunity to catch a wolf cold (as it were). **VOTE Prof. Pepperwinkle**
> 
> Prof., if I’m wrong I’m really sorry but I’m having a hard time thinking of anything you can say now that will change my mind.
> 
> Oh, and Astral Rejection, that seems like a pretty weak reason for voting for me, so you’re under my suspicion now as well. Isn’t this climate of fear fun? 🙂

That one sticks in by craw. Thin evidence, strong opinion.

> [@Dead\_Cat](#):
>
> Wow, I’m amazed how the same information (well, for those of us who are town) can be interpreted in so many different ways! I guess I’ll soon get used to it.  
> I’m not going to I’m afraid, a) because I haven’t the time and b) because if you so happen to be a wolf in this game, it gives you perfect cover and you have been a little too ready to draw attention to this. To my mind.  
> See above, and because I agree with the others who have also voted for you, both before and since. I read your posts as getting increasingly desperate to hide your scumminess. Once again, I sincerely apologise if I am incorrect but I’m just calling it as I see it - what else can one do?

This also sticks with me. Maybe it’s becase PP is generally a pretty non-combative poster even when he’s making accusations. (You too, Astral.) This is more the Plumpudding school of accusation.

> [@Dead\_Cat](#):
>
> Well, I guess replying to this isn’t going to help my case with you, but to be honest I’m not too worried about that at this stage. Like **Biotop** said I just don’t get the whole carrying over from previous games stuff. If I’m being combative it’s because I have picked up a particularly strong vibe about Prof. P, and I am literally prepared to die on that hill. I will either be vindicated or scorned for making a rookie error, I guess.

This part isn’t as combative, but it makes a point I want to disagree with. We all come into this game with baggage. I watched/played the last two games PP was in and understood exactly what he was referencing regarding cheese, WF Tomba, and lurking. It came off to me as light hearted commentary and inside joking. From an outside perspective, I can see how it might appear sinister, but it doesn’t come off that way to me, with one big caveat:

The light hearted and friendly commentary may be scum snuggling up to townies and trying to establish a townie vibe based on previous experience. It doesn’t feel that way, but it can’t be ruled out.

> [@Dead\_Cat](#):
>
> Only if you are playing for yourself rather than playing for the team. If you make a series of perceptive posts identifying one or more scum, and are then night killed, that’s potentially very helpful for town.

I want to point this one out too. It’s reiterating one thing I’ve been saying about creating a record. It’s quite townie.

I’m comfortable with the vote on DC for now. We have lots of time before the end of the day. If it comes down to a choice between DC and PP, I think we might learn more from a PP flip, but for now I’ll leave my vote where it is.

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