I ain't givin' you no tree-fitty: Introduction

Season 3 Episode 3 of the South Park series titled “The Succubus” contains a story told by Chef’s parents about the Loch Ness Monster.  In the story, the Loch Ness Monster appears to Chef’s parents while they are on a boat and requests three dollars and fifty cents.  Chef’s father tells the Monster to “get his own god damned money” while Chef’s mother gives him a dollar.  Chef’s father goes on to comment, “Well, of course he's not gonna go away, Mary! You give him a dollar, he's gonna assume you've got more!”

Now I know what you’re thinking.  What the hell does this have to do with EVE Online or spaceships?  Allow me to make the connection.  All too often pilots in EVE give the Loch Ness Monster a dollar.  Exchange the phrase ‘the Loch Ness Monster’ with ‘griefers’ and ‘a dollar’ with ‘free kills’ and you’ll start to see where I’m going with this. 

This phenomenon in EVE Online goes by many different names and effects a wide variety of players and activities.  I’ve heard it referred to as “feeding the fat kids candy”, “being a nub” and even some phrases that get a little vulgar.  It can effect the flow of logistics, industry, missioning and in some rare and specific cases pvp as well.  Still the under laying concept is the same no matter what label you stick on it or the situation that occurs.  Easy kills will draw in the enemy and give them a reason to stick around.

So now we get to the crux of the matter.  What can be done to prevent easy kills?  Are there specific examples of situations and behaviors that allow for easy kills to happen more frequently?  What are some of theories and techniques other pilots use to avoid giving easy kills?  Once the shame spiral of easy kills start; how and when does it stop?   So when do I get to all that good stuff? 

The short answer is: later.  The responses to the above questions will come in a series I’m calling “I ain't givin' you no tree-fitty.”  I’m considering the series to be a “life style guide” because the discussion and theory crafting will be based on changing attitudes, habits and perceptions in order to increase the life expectancy of your current vessel and your clone. 

I’m looking forward to writing the series and I’m also looking forward to feedback as the series progresses.  I already have ideas on content and plan to have a couple of pieces written and published shortly. 

Ciao for now♥