[Freeciv-Dev] Re: (PR#3672) [sug] Sharing techout in Teamgamees

["Arnstein Lindgard" <arnstein.lindgard@xxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 9 Mar 2003 08:06:20 -0800
"Per I. Mathisen" <per@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> > Leasing out knowledge, Per?:)
> 
> Technology is applied knowledge. It isn't just the dry bookly knowledge,
> it is experts, know-how, organizational systems, scientific paradigms and
> so on. To lease a technology to another nation means making the other
> nation capable of building the _products_ of the technology, instead of
> actually getting the knowledge behind the technology.

I'm not convinced this is possible. Proliferation of tech seems
unstoppable. For instance, a short time ago I watched Mr. Schöder on
CNN announing a multi-billion deal with China involving some sort of
levitating magnet-rail system. He said, in unusually clear language,
that Germany needed the jobs and the money, and China needed
technology transfer.

> Think how the countries of the north outsource industrial production to
> countries in the south. If these developing nations do something that is
> unpopular with those who own the technology, then the factories and the
> experts who run them are pulled out, and the design-knowledge supplied
> from the north is stopped.

I don't know, can you give any examples that this is actually
happening? I think you outsource parts, physical parts, of a
product you want to assemble yourself. If the country doing that
part wants the complete product, it'll have to buy it.

I think the concept of "owning" a technology requires an agreed upon
patent system, which is certainly the first casualty of war.

On Sun, 9 Mar 2003 10:41:17 -0800
"Alan Horkan" <horkana@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Perhaps there could be some way to buy Units from your allies with
> their permission so that it would not be a bribe that would break the
> treaty?

That is a wonderful idea. Furthermore, after buying a random number
of units from another nation, you could get:

"Game: Your experts have successfully reverse-engineered the
technology required for AEGIS Cruiser!"

On Sun, 9 Mar 2003 08:06:20 -0800
"Per I. Mathisen" <per@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Well, whether synergy or more exploitation is the main effect of
> globalisation is debatable.

Sure :-) And it would be a fun debate.

In your diplomacy patch you already have marvelous comments like:

*Matija Gubec(AI)* Your attempt to unilaterally dominate outer space
is highly offensive. If you do not stop constructing your spaceship,
I may be forced to take action!

Think of all the fun we could have with a more intricate system of
diplomatic relations. The nation selling units could make up
outrageous excuses for stopping the sale of units, of fear that
the recieving nation will understand the technology. At the other end,
you could complain that the selling nation is exploiting you...

Reading comments in the happypenguin award forums and so on, it seems
many people really want diplomacy. It was always much fun when Civ II
players said "Our words are backed with nuclear weapons!!" and all
that yada yada.

An idea from Space Empires: A city could be set to produce production
points (as with Coinage) for a pool, which can be barter goods. You
can then buy a Destoyer for 80 shields from a nation with the
required technology, even if the cost for her is only 60 shields.
It's a bit awkward to move caravans around, nobody seems to do it.


Arnstein