MM #56: A Very Bitter Goodbye

[raybomb]

This thread is for the discussion of the article "MM #56: A Very Bitter Goodbye" by William Spaniel. You can find it here - http://Magic.TCGplayer.com/db/article.asp?id=7958

Discuss!

[third_place]

Sorry, I didn't finish your article. I was too busy buying party favors and baking a cake.

[RoninX]

Seems like there have been a lot of writers hanging up their pens recently. Good luck Spaniel.

[Arcanist]

First Wizards cuts a ProTour (and a PTQ for that matter), then I have no MSS to look foreward to, and now this?

Very disappointing, William, that's all I have to say.

[jjnass]

Since it has always been William’s claim that only four people read the mm articles, I think this topic feels unnecessary. We should simply allow mm to go out with the fan fare William claims he is accustom to.

[tumultuous]

Very sorry to see you go William. Despite the critics' incessant nitpicking, I thought your writing was always witty and entertaining (even on the Fridays after those Thursdays). Best of luck with your goals and future; I'm sure you'll do very well.

[Rakavolver]

I feel gyped. Where's your latest CockerMentals list!

Girls ARE better than Magic, but that's one of those "unsaid" things that you've painfully reminded us of.

Thinking of Brian David-Marshall's testicles ranks pretty close to the bottom of all the things I will ever want to think of. I can forgive you though, especially for being so intense on the subject that you left out "Sexy." However ...

You mentioned Drew Carey, which is 100% UNforgiveable, forever!

No breasts references, sigh.
No Jessica Alba references, fine. Charlize Theron and Eva Green are hotter anyway.
But you end on a high note by NOT mentioning "The Hottie and the Nottie," starring Paris Hilton, which opens today. Words cannot fully express our appreciation.

Good luck William in all your future endeavors, and thanks for Magic Musings #22, the funniest article ever.

Ciao.

P.S. Hey, who won the Super Bowl? I was too busy thinking about Magic and missed it .....

[wateryourhands]

I'm a fairly new reader on tcgplayer. I've seen people mention that they have a problem with you.

So, I don't know what everyone's history is here(and it seems like this site spawns a disproportionate amount of drama) but I've always thought your articles were great!

[Rakavolver]

it seems like this site spawns a disproportionate amount of drama

That's why we love it.

And the decklists.

[Galvatron]

Nooooooooooooo! Kaaaaaaaaaaaahn!

[MillstoneMan]

Always been a hoot, Willy. As a random scrub, I've always enjoyed the sarcasm and the pokes at those who can't seem to get their heads out of theuir a$$es. My interest in Magic has declined dramatically over the last year, but I always check in for MM to see what you have to say.
All the best, and I'm really going to miss the breast references. Hooray for boobies!

[chazzyclaws]

And so the end of an era....I, for one will miss actually having something interesting to read/watch on Fridays.Good luck with all your future endeavors William, and looking forward to any musings you may pop in with from time to time.

[DeviL-SlidE]

good bye and good riddance!!!!!

just kidding.

[Zygonn]

Nooooooooooooo! Kaaaaaaaaaaaahn!

The most coherent thing Galvatron has ever said, period.

Sorry to see you go Spaniel. I understand where you are coming from, and good luck.

[RoninX]

The most coherent thing Galvatron has ever said, period.

Until you realize that that was his attempt at typing "So long William, we'll miss you." on his blackberry.

[Falkor]

Whether you appreciate William's personal brand of MM! or not, the entire article series remained a definite read every Friday...even if you skimmed through whole sections to find something you actually wanted to read....

Thank you for your time and effort (no matter how low in your own opinion) every week. I think all Magic writers feel the drain, even ones without a weekly gig.


On a side note, grats to Zaiem, Robin, and Kuan...now carry the mothership! Why is Bill Stark posting on St*rCity? I thought he worked here....

We do seem to be losing writers at an astonishing clip.

[ThePope]

What fraternity? I am in Sigma Nu. Good luck with the presidency if you get it.

[irenicus1a]

This sucks....big time

[snowden]

Bill Stark does not work here anymore.

[Ghostfoo]

William, i am very sad to see you go. You were a definate staple in my friday reading schedule. Also, I too am trying to get into gradschool, and I have always appreciated your dedication and hard work. A writer that is as informative and funny as you, in this magic scene, does not come around very often. Thanks for the information and good luck at what you do. I, on the other hand, will head to colorado and kill grizzly bears for a living and trading thier skins with other mountain men until your article resurrection.

[Twilightside]

Good bye and good luck Mr. Spaniel. You are my favorite Magic writer, at least this millennium. Sad to see you go. But thank you for all your articles and decks.

Fair winds and following seas...

[Rakavolver]

Good bye and good luck Mr. Spaniel. You are my favorite Magic writer, at least this millennium. Sad to see you go. But thank you for all your articles and decks.

Fair winds and following seas...

Best post ever.

[Rakavolver]

I, on the other hand, will head to colorado and kill grizzly bears for a living and trading thier skins with other mountain men until your article resurrection.

You could do that, but I've found running a banana boat out of Tahiti to be far less stressful. I'm a mountain man myself, but the Polynesians are the coolest people and tied with the good folk of Iceland and Bhutan as the happiest.

Poli Sci is what Willy, your major before you get into Law School? Ok, fine, but politics sucks (I used to love it too but bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Rove killed the love).

A suggestion: Write a paper on Richard Nixon's contention that America doesn't even need a President (flippin' Monarchist holdover). You can use the current President as proof. Just a tip.

[JeremyFuentes_FTW]

That reveals another ugly truth: anyone who is fence sitting when it comes to Magic is undoubtedly falling the other way at this point.

Real talk.

the entire article series remained a definite read every Friday...even if you skimmed through whole sections to find something you actually wanted to read....

That pretty much sums it up... GL, mate.

[biofeedback1]

well Will,

This sums up another era. This is the second time i see you go. The other site thing was really good work. It was dynamic, the contributors where good pens, And then, you left (for good reasons). This departure is also for good reasons. having been through the meat hack of the faculty of medicine in microbiology, i can say that superior education is quite demanding. The XX factor for a youngling, such as yourself, is the best reason to "spread you molecules , and learn to fly". I have no doubt that you will turn in to a fine gentleman.

It will be up to the new "Cockers" to fill the **** sac, with sweet, and nitrobased content. This site has done a good job in keeping innovative pens. The forums are sound, and the forums are uptight! Just the way you like them!

Thanks Will for the memories, i hope that "Murphy" won't show his ugly head, and that you do meet a nipple bound blue mermaid...

[schrecklich]

Well, since I thought you quit writing two or three times already, and at times while you were writing it seemed like you had already quit Magic, I can't say I'm too emotional about you hanging up the pen -- I'm desensitized to it (it took me about a month or two to realize that you switched sites rather than just quitting -- I had fallen out of the habit of checking this site). Although there were times when I felt you were just clamoring for attention by writing something ridiculous, there were alot of times when you were the only one writing the things I agreed with and felt needed to be stated. I hope some new acerbic wit pops up to fill the void....

[midi2304]

Like any beautiful relationship, there were falling outs, make ups, good times and bad. The bad times only went to make the good times that much sweeter.

Good luck lad and don't be a stranger.

[tony28]

Well that sucks. I'm relatively new to magic and discovering tcgplayer was great and reading/ watching Spaniel was always entertaining even if he did have a ridiculously high-pitched voice. Hmm.. what'll happen now that their most prolific and entertaining writer has departed? Is this a bellwether for dooooom for tcplayer and magic in general, especially given the unpopular decisions wizards of the **** have been making?

[Bizmarkymark]

I will never read an article from a more provocative/entertaining magic columnist .....period. I hope Spaniel pops back in frequently, but I know his appearances will be seldom. Good luck in the future William.

Is this a bellwether for dooooom for tcplayer and magic in general, especially given the unpopular decisions wizards of the **** have been making?

For those of you still talking about Magic's death: Didn't you read the column? Magic isn't dying. It can still recover from the mistakes of wizards, it is a great game. Lorwyn limited is incredibly fun, standard is competitive, extended is wide open, and as always there is a dedicated fan base of Vintage and Legacy players. I bet every person who wonders "Is magic dying?" has absolutely no desire to abandon the game, ironically if you add up all the people who think magic is dying it'd be easy to see that the game still has a myriad of people interested in it. I don't believe Magic is dying, it's 15 years old, I think this is it's awkward phase in puberty.

[thecappen]

Every writer has their ups and downs, no matter how great or terrible they may be. What MM gave us was something completely different than anything else. They were real opinions, and there was no attempt to make nice with wizards, like you see on those two other sites. The criticism here, and lauding when it was due, was something that rarely pervades such articles, as so many are so concentrated on the next PTQ season, or just how awesome these net decks are, rarely putting themselves on the line for criticism. You did this, and gave us some of the most entertaining features ever (TFM unnecessary capitalization, your standarzing reviews, and ETWS). There is nothing better than causing a legitimate stir, which gets people talking about the game. This is why this article was, an hopefully will be again, the greatest on the internet.

Maybe I'm just lying though, cause I checked my IP, and apparently I don't read/watch these. Damn.

Best of luck in school (its a pain, I know I graduated last year), and I look forward to the next time.

[Galvatron]

sombody has to take the reins the resons why stated above othsites that parise wotc are so left wing like cnn an msnbc

[mudbuck]

So long, and thanks for all the "cockers."

[Necro-M]

Okay, enough with the “and pigs will fly, MM will play nice guy, and Mark Rosewater will become the most beloved man on the planet” nonsense. If you could play Tarmogoyf with reasonable assurance it will be a 3/4 by your next attack phase, then it would be playable card. However, I don't see how this is going to happen on a consistent basis, particularly because I can easily see an instant in the form of a removal spell falling into your opponent's graveyard. In the late game Tarmogoyf might become a reasonably sized beater, but I don't think that makes up for the early game weakness.

Classic stuff. Spaniels was like Paris Hilton, Charlton Heston, and Pat Sajak - all in one - in his crazy article every week. And I mean that in the most flattering way. Spaniels was the P.T. Barnum of M:TG writers.. a true giant among Bonsai's. Most of his talent was pure shock-appeal, but every now and again we'd get a classic review like the one above.

So long Spaniel and thanks for all the fish.

[JohnnySmash]

Aww man, I always dreaded the day William Spaniel would quit Magic writing. Almost every week I thought "How does he crank out good content like this when there's so much crap out there that isn't even regularly updated". Well I guess it had to end sometime, so good luck William Spaniel.

[Rakavolver]

Necro-M, are you implying that Willy got his review of Tarmogoyf wrong? Because if so, so did most people at the time. I particularly loved those who said "it comes in as ONLY a 0/1 or 1/2 on turn 2!" crowd. "It'll die before it gets bigger!" LOL

Willy pegged it better than most.

[avery61]

Whether he wants to admit it or not Spaniel had a fan base. I read his articles weekly and followed his sarcastic wit from Londes to TCG.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. ~Theodor Seuss Geisel

[Necro-M]

Necro-M, are you implying that Willy got his review of Tarmogoyf wrong? Because if so, so did most people at the time. I particularly loved those who said "it comes in as ONLY a 0/1 or 1/2 on turn 2!" crowd. "It'll die before it gets bigger!" LOL

I'd give old Willy props for all his draft coverage (he's right on a lot of the time and he knows that's his place), but I could never take his standard comments seriously. The only reason he gained some fame here was the controversy he'd stir up among the forum users (which was entertaining to some degree). Which is why he should be a commentary writer.

I'll miss him because every week I could read what he wrote, smack my hand to my head, and say "what's the world coming to" before chuckling and trying to find some tournament coverage. Spaniel was like Navarette on CNN, fighting against the status quo with sometimes ridiculous statements. But he was never boring.

I know it's hard to convince people with writing skill to write whole articles for the $150 or whatever this site gives them, but I wish there were more and better writers. Spaniel had also started doing webcasts. These are alright, but it's not writing. I was sort of ticked at the lack of writing on the site anyways.

Spaniel is great as a commentary writer and I think he was/is valuable here. If he's disenchanted with the crowd's opinion of him then it's because the site put too much of a load on his shoulders.

If he's quitting over the tournament changes (unlikely) then he's a fool. So what if they cancel States and 2HG for a year (boo hoo!)? He was/is a draft writer and commentary guy primarily. I seriously doubt that's his reason.

[Risky]

I know it's hard to convince people with writing skill to write whole articles for the $150 or whatever this site gives them, but I wish there were more and better writers.

I had a hearty chuckle over this.

[Rakavolver]

Spaniel was like Navarette on CNN, fighting against the status quo with sometimes ridiculous statements. But he was never boring.


What ridiculous statements? If I want to hear the positive side of Mexican Immigration into the USA, I'll listen to Navarette. If I want to hear the negative side, I'll listen to Lou Dobbs. Granted, I live in America so why should I have to press "1" for English, but if Lou Dobbs' views prevailed when two of my grandparents immigrated to America, I'd most likely be herding sheep on my great-grandparents' family farm in Slovakia right now, although maybe not because the godless Communists probably confiscated it and I'd be living off the State. Always with the 2 sides to everything, sigh.

[sin_plague]

I had a hearty chuckle over this.

yeah... but was it an evil-Mr. Burns-like chuckle with some finger twiddling and an "Eeeeexcelllennt" thrown in??

or just a chuckle because of the irony implicit in the whole money thing plus necro-m's other statements?

[Necro-M]

What ridiculous statements? If I want to hear the positive side of Mexican Immigration into the USA, I'll listen to Navarette.

From Navarette? How about that without Mexican immigrants the middle-class would fall apart because they'd have no one to mow their lawns or pick their lettuce (maybe it's just North Carolina, but people tend to do that themselves around here, and white students cut just as many pine trees to sale as illegal immigrants - the real lure for them here)? I found what he's said degrading to my Mexican friends and my middle-class brethren alike. And yet they still pay that joker to sit there and hate-monger against the majority of Americans. But I understand why. He keeps the nativists on their toes (even though he turns what is essentially people breaking the law into a fight of the little man vs the big corporate empire of greed). The squeaky wheel gets the grease right? At least it does for a commentary writer.

From Spaniel? When he can be bothered to (he keeps reminding us he doesn't play Magic and yet we keep reading him like lemmings walking into a pit of fire), he promotes decks that aren't tier-one or maybe even tier-two - like he's trying to trick the net-deckers into using a deck that's far sub-par for the environment. I actually appreciate his effort in this regard, but it does damage his credibility. Sometimes he does mention it's a meta-game choice, but if that's the case then why present the deck here? And if it's a pet deck then that's cool and all, but again - who's your audience? And he makes odd statements that others tend to argue against. Again, he's a great commentary writer and his draft commentary is solid as far as I could tell (I'm not a draft person per se).

[biofeedback1]

yeah... but was it an evil-Mr. Burns-like chuckle with some finger twiddling and an "Eeeeexcelllennt" thrown in??

or just a chuckle because of the irony implicit in the whole money thing plus necro-m's other statements?


I think he meant that the payout for such articles is much lower then the 150 "Bucks" you
quoted.

To write on the web for a marginal site, is an unappriciative endevor. You need love, you need ideas, you neen conviction! You also need balls (except for the sexyboy on the other site it seems...). I think the man did a wonderful job. Not for the money or for the cards, but for the love and the conviction of helping the community expand.

[Falkor]

@Risky
That was funny.

@all
Has anyone ever seen Spaniel do draft coverage?

Anyone?

He had a unique view on everything, which you either loved or hated. That's Spaniel in a nut shell.

[Necro-M]

Has anyone ever seen Spaniel do draft coverage?

I should say card picks instead of tournament coverage.

[sin_plague]

I think he meant that the payout for such articles is much lower then the 150 "Bucks" you
quoted.

To write on the web for a marginal site, is an unappriciative endevor. You need love, you need ideas, you neen conviction! You also need balls (except for the sexyboy on the other site it seems...). I think the man did a wonderful job. Not for the money or for the cards, but for the love and the conviction of helping the community expand.

yeah... I know... which is why I meant my comment for riki to enjoy at his leisure... oh yeah... and I didn't quote anything... that was necro-m... who is apparently trying to revive viva zapata as we speak

[chesztah]

i find spaniel pretty entertaining. too bad. good luck dude

[rincewind32]

I like your articles William, but this one was rubbish.

[kcolloran]

Not much to add. Just want to add my voice to those who enjoyed your work quite alot.

[OTurtenwald]

William Spaniel says goodbye,

Oh god yes!

- Owen

[biofeedback1]

Darn that necro-m!

"Au fait", what does necro-m stand for?

Is it for "monster!", or is it for "mother"? Like moms in the closet since '94....

[pr0metheus]

Uh Spaniel...we get to keep Peter and Nate, right? Squinting to figure out what pair of hotters Peter has in his pocket is perhaps my favorite new hobby.

GLHFIRL, and come back soon!

[Rakavolver]

From Navarette? How about that without Mexican immigrants the middle-class would fall apart because they'd have no one to mow their lawns or pick their lettuce (maybe it's just North Carolina, but people tend to do that themselves around here, and white students cut just as many pine trees to sale as illegal immigrants - the real lure for them here)? I found what he's said degrading to my Mexican friends and my middle-class brethren alike. And yet they still pay that joker to sit there and hate-monger against the majority of Americans. But I understand why. He keeps the nativists on their toes (even though he turns what is essentially people breaking the law into a fight of the little man vs the big corporate empire of greed). The squeaky wheel gets the grease right? At least it does for a commentary writer.

Thanks, Necro-M. Much to think about. I am often not in agreement with Navarette as well. Not like he isn't biased or anything.

For the rest of you, click here to read Navarette's latest. (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/11/navarrette/index.html)

Btw, for those of you who think there wasn't enough "meat" in this article by Willy, click here to go to his blog where he continues the discussion in quite some detail, especially the bits about self-screwing dangerous "Groupthink." (http://my.tcgplayer.com/blog/view/id_1312/title_mm-56-goodbye/)

[Necro-M]

Necro-M = Necro-Mancer .. It's been my namesake for a long time

[biofeedback1]

Sorry, i didn't want to ruffle robes. it's all this Nevarette thing that is getting to me. being non US, i have a hard time understanding this proportion for grandeur and "end of the world". The Tele seems a way of life (wich i don't condone). All the "Stars" and all the "sports heroes", seem to be role modeles. I'm happy to be exchanging with people who play on a different field is all.

[biofeedback1]

If you can't type money properly, then you don't deserve it...

[biofeedback1]

Double post!

The spewn thing... come on...

[Rakavolver]

Sorry, i didn't want to ruffle robes. it's all this Nevarette thing that is getting to me. being non US, i have a hard time understanding this proportion for grandeur and "end of the world". The Tele seems a way of life (wich i don't condone). All the "Stars" and all the "sports heroes", seem to be role modeles. I'm happy to be exchanging with people who play on a different field is all.

Go ahead and ruffle robes or whatever. It's what Willy was all about. But does anyone in power, like Mayhew and Hasbro Accounting listen? We know Aaron Forsythe read MM!, but anyone else?

Good luck figuring out America if you don't live here ... because those of us who live here can't figure it out. President Obama? Who would have seen that coming as little as 3 months ago?! Looks that way though, thanks to young people rallying around him. McCain's a decent sort too, but we're sick of Republicans here and the ice-water-for-blood former First Lady as well, or anything named Clinton or Bush. Big changes ahead.

America faces the same challenge with Mexicans that Germany faced with the Turks 20 years ago and England and France face with Muslim immigrants today, except we're set up for Immigration here in America, and these "Mexicans" are Spanish in name and religion only. They're really American Indian descendants of Olmec/Aztec/Maya/Mexica natives, so it's more a case of them taking their land back if you ask me. Fortunately, they follow the one true religion: Catholicism (forgive me my Stephen Colbert moment).

Population of the Western Hemisphere before Euro-Man cameth to conquer, rule, and exploit:

South America - 30 million
Central America - 20 million
North America - ONE million <== :eek:

That's right, North America sucks from a weather perspective, so much so it damn near rivals Japan in the Our Climate Sucks sweepstakes. But did EuroWhiteys listen when the natives said DON'T build in New Orleans or Los Angeles? No, of course they didn't. Putzes.

The "tele" as you put it, if you mean "television," is indeed watched by too many people here, but thanks to our economy life is good here when we're not dodging tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms, brushfires, earthquakes, mudslides, etc., and the tele brings them all into our living rooms. America is many things ... "dull" not being one of them.

[midi2304]

Fortunately, they follow the one true religion: Catholicism (forgive me my Stephen Colbert moment).

Must.....



Not....


Go.....



There...

[Rakavolver]

Of course not, I'm just teasing you the king of "The Scottish Rite of Freemasons, Rulers of Earth." Why is it I always know how to get a rise out of you? My bad? Yeah.

Althought Colbert and I are both brothers of Alpha Delta Gamma, THE National Catholic Social Fraternity, and that's how that goes. Plus the writer's strike is over, so Colbert's avatar returns as promised.

[midi2304]

Of course not, I'm just teasing you the king of "The Scottish Rite of Freemasons, Rulers of Earth." Why is it I always know how to get a rise out of you? My bad? Yeah.

Althought Colbert and I are both brothers of Alpha Delta Gamma, THE National Catholic Social Fraternity, and that's how that goes. Plus the writer's strike is over, so Colbert's avatar returns as promised.

lol, you didn't get a rise out of me this time, promise. Just be very, very aware of discussing Catholicism and Protestantism with a Scotsman (or any other Celt for that matter) ;)

And let's not even go near the black hole that is Freemasonry...

I don't really get the whole fraternity thing to be honest. We don't have that over here.

[Rakavolver]

I don't really get the whole fraternity thing to be honest. We don't have that over here.

Why don't you? Only one University in Scotland, the one in Edinburgh?

A fraternity in America is basically a men-only drinking and womanizing club, unlike the Freemasons. Each college campus, the good ones anyway, have several "houses" of them. They vary widely in quality, but virtually free alcohol and fast women seem to be the common denominator. Also, lifelong friendships amongst like-minded individuals, which starts primarily after college when the growing-up process actually begins.

Since Willy is trying to be the President of his Fraternity, it merits some discussion. In fact, that's all it merited.

[midi2304]

Only one University in Scotland, the one in Edinburgh?

See, I'm not even sure if this is aiming for a rise or not :S

[dbgarf]

why would spaniel even bother writing this article? obviously he just stopped caring about the community, and rightfully so considering he never had anything worthwhile to contribute. should we all be sad that there are no more Magic Musings columns full of vitriolic insults of both the readership and other writers in the community? its not like Spaniel ever had anything insightful on the strategy side of things, and personally, i just never saw his "social commentary" to be a saving grace. just an endless *****-fest week after week.

[biofeedback1]

So there is only one University in Scotland? And many drinking and womanizing houses in the US (figures, you must be an adult to drink, buy condoms and shoot semi-automatic weaponry in the states. Here in Canada, we are laid back, except for the armement)?


why would spaniel even bother writing this article? obviously he just stopped caring about the community, and rightfully so considering he never had anything worthwhile to contribute. should we all be sad that there are no more Magic Musings columns full of vitriolic insults of both the readership and other writers in the community? its not like Spaniel ever had anything insightful on the strategy side of things, and personally, i just never saw his "social commentary" to be a saving grace. just an endless *****-fest week after week.

And so cocker doesin't care? He put in 6 years of research and fine writing so the community could question and debait with each other. Just because he has a ****e(like the celtic word?) load of obligations and a primal masculin duties should not stear him away from his magicness?

[biofeedback1]

The magic celtic word for the day sounds like fight, but the "f" is an "sh".

[Necro-M]

Regarding America:

This is hard to explain.. but I think I can sum it all up in a dizzying summary (I like a challenge).

What started our economy being in trouble (or was just the catalyst rather) in the US is that we've appointed a Texas oil man who has ran every business he's touched into the ground as president for almost a decade and we've had very weak-willed congressmen controlled by lobbyists for several decades ('yes' men for the president's whims). We've had a war going on for 7 years as a constant drain on our resources, with astronomical sums of money going toward policing the Middle East (and to only gradual effect) rather than domestic concerns. While the rest of the world thinks we're over there stealing oil and beating people, in fact we're just throwing them money (charity really) until they can stabilize because we're afraid their instability will come over here. But we forget that it's the Middle East, where every country has fought wars with with their neighbors for thousands of years. So it's kind of pompous of us to think we can fix it in a few years right?

The root of the economic problem we have is that for some time now the wealth distribution is skewed and the result of this is now becoming obvious with inflation (you can't constantly mark up and sell foreign products to people who no longer have good salaries and are over-taxed). 90% of the wealth is owned by 10% of the people.. and they've been hoarding the money and making more money on top of it rather than spending that money (for innovation) and allowing others to use the purchasing power (and when money doesn't flow you get a weak economy as the perception of a crisis can cause a crisis). On top of making money without really producing anything to sell to other countries (so that we only have an influx of goods), the 10% have been given tax breaks (by moving offices out of the US) and have been allowed to lay off (or in the union's case.. pay off) Americans that might draw retirement benefits (retirement itself and Social Security are poorly conceived pyramid schemes of the Roosevelt era) to hire contracted labor from third-world countries (using borrowed money to build infrastructure in developing countries, while ignoring the real consumers who can no longer keep buying luxury goods).

In a free market this would right itself, but it's prolonged and proliferated by government intervention (those that meddle often preach about the invisible hand of the market, while interfering for their own benefit). So when there's not enough money for government programs (oh.. like say the Iraqi war that's still going on) our President browbeats congress into writing him a blank check and we borrow what we need for domestic affairs (a.k.a. education and health care) from Japan and China. This leads to inflation as our debt increases and the falling value of the US dollar (as debt accumulates those countries value our money less). This lowers the value of our monetary unit internationally, which in turn lowers the purchasing power of the US citizen - upon whom the entire system is dependent on purchasing goods from those 10% that own everything. So the 10% panic, and demand more of a monetary incentive from the government.. which only exacerbates the conundrum.

I could go on about ethanol hurting food production, nuclear power FUD, public education, free trade, illegal immigrants, etc.. but I think that's a good start.

But don't just take my word for it.. go look it up for yourself.

So what does this have to do with Magic?

Well I think it pretty much describes what Hasbro's doing to M:TG. They're ignoring their customers to improve their profit margin. Then they're panicking when they see a loss in sales after they've marked up the prices of packs, have produced non-interesting sets (although well-balanced), and have hindered vintage and legacy tournaments. So their reaction is to stop the standard tournaments while they "fix things." But now they've stifled the ability of the invisible hand to right what they've done wrong and they're soon going to face even less sales and rougher times as players turn to games that reward them more and cost less. Instead of selling 100 packs at $2.50 each, they'll try and fail to sell 10 packs at $4.50 each. And they'll cite the wrong reason of course (it can't be bad marketing) and make things worse (or maybe just cancel the product line).

[biofeedback1]

Wow!

With all the political and social unravellings cited by Necro and Raka, i'm thinking that this can only be a good thing for all things American. It is long time awaited that you, my north american brothers, set some social nettings (Medcare and education). The rich can only get poorer, and sound buisness wants the "client" in good heath with a good job. To sell, the buyer must be in position to buy. I think dinosur statigies, looking to the east for profit, will be there downfall.

And Cocker will be there laughing...

PS: thanks for the info, i LOVE TO LEARN!

[Rakavolver]

Well I think it pretty much describes what Hasbro's doing to M:TG. They're ignoring their customers to improve their profit margin.

Aye, you nailed the crux of the problem, and the main problem with ALL American businesses since the 1980-1981 Recession, when Accounting departments took over Sales and Marketing departments in the ears of Boards of Directors.

America had an economic Golden Age ... once. Twas the years 1945-1950. Been on a downslide ever since, but like most downslides they start slow and are decades in progress before being noticed. In defense of Accounting (cost-cutting) for a change, one problem was the fattening of Management over Labor. We DID become top heavy, and cuts had to be made. Problem is ... they just kept cutting. A shame, really.

The downslide would have been greater had it not been for that ONE thing that America excels at, and has always excelled at ... Innovation! Just when it seems like our teats are in the ringer to the point that we're about to become breast-less ... there you go, some lad comes up with something new ... and whole industries that looked like they were about to fail, come back ... and often come back stronger than ever.

That's why in something like say ... Magic, never call a deck out for the count just because the metagame shifts away from it. People gave up on MonoGreen for example, but now look at it.

[rickisadork]

this is what William Spaniel wasn't played when Ravnica was legal in T2. He dies to Putrify.


I'll miss the set reviews.

-R

[Rakavolver]

I already miss Magic Musings #57, which made a brief appearance today but was removed.

Why?

[Rakavolver]

Zaiem zbeg points out that the Wizards-critical Magic Musings #57 can be found in the blog section which you can reach by clicking here. Thanks, Zaiem. (http://my.tcgplayer.com/blog/view/id_1347/)

[Necro-M]

I've got about $10,000 tied up in this game in cards (no card worth over $70 by my own choice, but just a playset of everything - foils if possible). But do you think I would sell the cards? It simply wouldn't be worth the time to liquidate the collection. On top of that, I could care less if everyone else on the planet stopped playing. I'd still play with friends. By now I certainly wouldn't need new cards to have fun. I actually dread new sets. I see them as a power bill really.

I would love for M:TG to die. It would only increase the value of cards in the long run. Certainly the 10-year veterans wouldn't stop playing because of T2 leaving.

[Mr. President]

I've got about $10,000 tied up in this game in cards (no card worth over $70 by my own choice, but just a playset of everything - foils if possible). But do you think I would sell the cards? It simply wouldn't be worth the time to liquidate the collection. On top of that, I could care less if everyone else on the planet stopped playing. I'd still play with friends. By now I certainly wouldn't need new cards to have fun. I actually dread new sets. I see them as a power bill really.

I would love for M:TG to die. It would only increase the value of cards in the long run. Certainly the 10-year veterans wouldn't stop playing because of T2 leaving.


I'm not entirely unsympathetic to any of the points in that post.

I'd like to point out in closing that Spaniel's signoff showed the typical arrogance, sanctimony, and vitriol I've come to expect and will not be missing. I'm glad that Spaniel is the past and that Zaiem, Robin, and Kuan are the future.

EDIT: I also noticed that he managed to brag about his alleged dating skillz yet again. It's not even new arrogance.

[Necro-M]

EDIT: I also noticed that he managed to brag about his alleged dating skillz yet again. It's not even new arrogance.

I thought he was addressing some insecurity regarding his gender preference from an earlier forum flame war.

[SeveredLegion]

Wow, I thought that William was gay or at least asexual. I am surprised that he is into girls, oh well you learn something new every day.

[Rakavolver]

Wow, I thought that William was gay or at least asexual. I am surprised that he is into girls, oh well you learn something new every day.

Apparently, you missed his Jessiaca Alba and breasts fetish, which is almost but not quite as strong as my Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman, Mrs. Rakavolver and Lucy Liu fetishes. Or my ANTI-Sandra Oh fetish.

And wazzup with all this Gays in Magic stuff? Why ... the idea! I thought those guys are into interior decorating or Broadway musicals or dancing or clothes design or bodybuilding or poetry or film reviewing or something. Not Magic! Please! :p

[Necro-M]

Mrs. Rakavolver

You don't refer to her as a flying cow do you? I wouldn't recommend that.

And wazzup with all this Gays in Magic stuff? Why ... the idea! I thought those guys are into interior decorating or Broadway musicals or dancing or clothes design or bodybuilding or poetry or film reviewing or something. Not Magic! Please!

We're just jealous. They appear to have more of a life than we do.

[SeveredLegion]

Hey Rakavolver, fair enough. I just took his flair for the dramatic to be more of a barometer then anything else. I guess I should have chopped it up to being artistic.

[Rakavolver]

You don't refer to her as a flying cow do you? I wouldn't recommend that.

Me neither, unless I wanted to sleep on the couch! However, she's married to a minotaur, not one herself.


We're just jealous. They appear to have more of a life than we do.

Gay men have the most "fun." Gay women the least. Non-sexuals have the most free time, so I don't know what they do. Design Magic decks? That would explain why mine suck. :eek::p

[Rakavolver]

OK, back to the article.

There is actually a Magic Musings #56 and a half, which is linked to near the bottom of the article. Here is the most salient bit in it, which I think is quite imortant and worthy of discussion:



Wizards of the Coast is the victim of group think. Group think, a term popularized during the height of anti-Vietnam War sentiment, describes a situation when a collection of experts come to conclusions and finds them unquestionably correct for no reason other than because a group of experts came up with them. Now, having the smartest people come up with your game plans is a good idea. In fact, getting the smartest people in the world in your corner is a good first step for success. However, it’s a logical fallacy to automatically conclude that their answer is automatically the best course of action. You especially run into trouble when hubris takes over. "We have a great idea! Why? Cause it’s a great idea from great people!" Such thinking ignores criticism on the basis of the level it’s coming from—if you’re the best of the best, then you have no business arguing with the best of the best. Unfortunately, correct and incorrect only care about one thing—validity—and validity doesn’t give a damn whether you are the best of the best or the worst of the worst. It cares about truth value.


Every day it seems Wizards’ hubris leads them deeper into denial. Worlds was probably the all time low, with the YouTube coverage lacking, Legacy being portrayed as a joke, Randy Buehler not knowing the cost of Garruk’s ultimate, obliviousness to a fairly simple interaction between Doran and Loxodon Warhammer, and the list goes on. What do we see soon there after? A BDSM romp on why official coverage is so great. Please.


In the last two years, I’ve basically come to the understanding that Wizards hires not based on merit, but based on being friends with people already running the show—and because these guys are "the best of the best," so whomever they hire must be the right choice for the job. This contributes to the meltdown that was the Worlds coverage, the spectacularly unspectacular content on MTG.com as of late, and the baffling absence of paychecks addressed to Evan Erwin directly from Wizards of the Coast.


Maybe that last case is all you need to know to understand why Wizards is so goofy. Hasbro can cut their budgets all they want, but that doesn’t preclude Wizards from using whatever funds they have wisely. Here’s the big recipe for stupidity: take a man who has more than 1300 subscribers on YouTube (Wizards has roughly only 250 more) and who draws about 10,000 views a week on the premise of covering Magic, and invite him to a Pro Tour. But instead of having him cover it—bearing in mind that’s what he’s theoretically good at—why not just have him play in it!? Leave it to the cluster-you-know-what of Randy Buehler, Brian David-Sexy-Marshall, Bill Stark, Josh Bennett, Devin Low, Duncan McGregor, Gavin Duggan, and Kelley Diggs to take care of the rest. Surely they are the best of the best. Some of them are the best of the best hired, and the rest were hired by the best of the best!


Bottom line: If Wizards of the Coast is to succeed as an intelligently run business on a fundamental level, they need some intuitional change from the ground up. Unfortunately, because the best of the best will continue to think they are infallible (they are the best of the best after all), I don’t think you will be seeing this soon.