The Power Word: Gold Podcast - Episode 009

Hahaha. Sour Grapes. That conversation wasn't meant as a judgement, or saying if you aren't gold capped, you opinions are XXXX, it was meant to answer a question that was asked. What my feelings are on gold capped players.

Being gold capped is like a Degree in Gold Making. It takes alot of time, effort, and "know how" to get there. On the other hand, not being capped is like not going to college (or university). You can still be great in what you do, sometimes better than those with a "degree", but once again, it's my personal opinion.

To hit the million, just like the old 214K, you need to hit multiple markets, and you have to "live" the AH- know it back and forth, up and down, forward and back....Not just read about them and rewrite what someone else found out, you have to be original and find your own niches in the market.

If I soured your opinion of me due to that, then so be it. Those that know me, know that I am one of the most helpful people out there. Some folks don't like me due to I tell it how it is, and I don't kiss anyones XXX. Ever. Not my style. Never was, never will be.

I don't hold back my opinions on things to make people happy. If I am asked a question, I give an answer. If you don't like my answer, or can't handle it, don't ask me. =)

A bit of a vent there, but obviously you guys were affected by what I said. Even if ya'll aren't gold capped, I don't see you guys any different than if you were. Like I said originally, I just have a different respect for folks that are, as I know what it takes to get there. Thats it. Thats all folks!

@Altolycus I wouldn't say were were "affected" so much as we were trying to be gracious when someone basically tells us (in no uncertain terms) they consider us to be beneath them.

Elitism is really attractive to a certain demographic of the gold-making word. There are forums devoted to gold-making elitism where only the "anointed" get access to "the good stuff".

There are paid forums where people can feel elitist due to the fact that they paid someone to allow them to "bask in the glory" of the site creator.

There are blogs whose sole purpose is to show off players who've reached a certain gold level. (Funny enough that blog is one of the most humble blogs around and is much more interested in having the gold-makers share how they got there.)

There are bloggers who call themselves "gurus" and promise that if you buy their products (for real money ofc) all your gold-making problems will simply evaporate.

Elitism is never a good thing. It always leads to stratification and prideful behavior. If someone thinks because they have more gold than someone else they are better than they are an elitist.

While some may enjoy the feeling of holding themselves above others it is a false happiness. Elitism never leads to any lasting happiness.

These comments aren't directed at you specifically Alto I think your comment simply "uncorked" the bottled up anger I'd been holding inside as I've watched community members bicker and try to one-up each other.

I'd much rather have a community that is open and welcoming to all who decide to take up gold-making as a fun in-game hobby.

Long story short: No one is better than anyone else no matter how much they say they are.

if you dont want to kiss our asses why are you explaining. No need to.

@alto. I don't think "degree" is the right comparison. Getting to a million doesn't necessarily require any significant degree of skill or knowledge, as you suggest. There was an example wowecon interview of a guy that hit 1mil from farming alone - where's the skill there? Also, I will accept that having a greater understanding of your server's economy and a highly diversified approach CAN make it easier/faster to hit the cap, but I don't think it is required. There are plenty of 1 trick pony WoW millionaires out there as well. It's not so much about the destination as it is about how you get there. Is 1 million an achievement? Yes. Is it a "degree" certifying one's knowledge and ability in gold-making? Not necessarily. Any idiot can grind their way to gold cap, but I wouldn't give them a degree for it.

@Flux. I'm curious about the forums you are referring to that require you being "anointed". If you are talking about the Wind Trader forums over at The Consortium, I don't think you really understand the actual intention there.

As a Wind Trader, I can attest to the fact that the private forums aren't a source of secret "good stuff", but rather a place for more advanced gold-makers to interact with people on a similar level as themselves. In addition, a lot of the guides or projects that end up released on the general forums get previewed there in order to be refined and given feedback. The only "secret" content that gets discussed are any methodologies that would otherwise render themselves useless if too many people ended up doing them. These strategies are usually pretty time sensitive and wouldn't be very worthwhile and/or profitable if too many people knew about them anyways.

Ultimately, the private WT forums offer a place to have discussions with like minded people, often about certain situations or strategies that they would otherwise keep to themselves for fear of jeopardizing their day-to-day operations. I can assure you that there isn't any advice or tips there that would be of great use to the general population anyway.

If you were talking about something else, then I guess that was just a lengthy plug for The Consortium, which I won't ever apologize for, it's a great community.

I just think that you didn't understand what I said, I didn't have anything to "read behind the lines" or "in no uncertain terms".

I never said that I was better than anyone else. In fact, far from it.

I did say that I respect people more if they hit the cap. I guess you will understand when/if you hit it. That is what I said, nothing different.

I don't feel that I am an Elitist. Far from it. If you see me that way from talking to me for 10 minutes, so be it. Can I be a jerk? Sure. Anyone can. But don't put words in my mouth that I didn't say....

Jokine,
Not kissing anyone's asses, far from it. I am attempting to clear things up that weren't said.

I think you guys might still have a chip on your shoulder from me saying your podcast is too long, and that's the reason why I have yet to listen to a full recording.

Now I did say that, you can feel free to quote me on it. I will read the notes, and listen here and there, as there are some good topics.

And no Jokine, that is not kissing your ass by saying I like parts of the podcast, or blasting because I said it's too long, it's just telling you guys my opinion.

=)

This comment was originally posted by Kathroman and for some reason "eaten" by blogger. I'm re-posting it at their request.

"Kathroman said...

@alto. I don't think "degree" is the right comparison. Getting to a million doesn't necessarily require any significant degree of skill or knowledge, as you suggest. There was an example wowecon interview of a guy that hit 1mil from farming alone - where's the skill there? Also, I will accept that having a greater understanding of your server's economy and a highly diversified approach CAN make it easier/faster to hit the cap, but I don't think it is required. There are plenty of 1 trick pony WoW millionaires out there as well. It's not so much about the destination as it is about how you get there. Is 1 million an achievement? Yes. Is it a "degree" certifying one's knowledge and ability in gold-making? Not necessarily. Any idiot can grind their way to gold cap, but I wouldn't give them a degree for it.

@Flux. I'm curious about the forums you are referring to that require you being "anointed". If you are talking about the Wind Trader forums over at The Consortium, I don't think you really understand the actual intention there.

As a Wind Trader, I can attest to the fact that the private forums aren't a source of secret "good stuff", but rather a place for more advanced gold-makers to interact with people on a similar level as themselves. In addition, a lot of the guides or projects that end up released on the general forums get previewed there in order to be refined and given feedback. The only "secret" content that gets discussed are any methodologies that would otherwise render themselves useless if too many people ended up doing them. These strategies are usually pretty time sensitive and wouldn't be very worthwhile and/or profitable if too many people knew about them anyways.

Ultimately, the private WT forums offer a place to have discussions with like minded people, often about certain situations or strategies that they would otherwise keep to themselves for fear of jeopardizing their day-to-day operations. I can assure you that there isn't any advice or tips there that would be of great use to the general population anyway.

If you were talking about something else, then I guess that was just a lengthy plug for The Consortium, which I won't ever apologize for, it's a great community."

Kathro,

There's always gonna be the "slider" that gets it, just like I mentioned with the degree for college: some folks slide by with cheating or what-have-you, and still get the diploma. But for the *most part, if you hit a million, you have to have some sort of skills.

As for the farmer on WarcraftEcon, he has his own set of skills, or just a boatload of time (even a mix of both). A million in wow now isn't near what 214K was pre-cata. That is the original cap, and deserves a bigger round of applause in my eyes.

This topic is a neverending story and that’s why it intrigues me so much. I wrote a post on this @ my blog (don't feel like plugging the link) in order to keep this reply shorter. ‘The roots run deep’.

The gold cap discussion explains why I follow you guys with more intensity and fanaticism (no! ^^) than everyone else and that is this; Personality, open minds, humour and knowledge. I'll write a post on that topic cause I could go on forever, but there's 1 important thing you all three missed while recording. If i'm starting a business irl i'll make sure of two things if I want help from someone;
1. That the person has values that I feel gel with my own. Nothing is more important than this part alone cause I can learn the rest anyways no matter what I choose to do and with 100% certainty!
2. That the person has reached my goal or exceeded it. The funny thing is that if the person hasn't reached my goal, but has a good view on things that person easily would reach it if he/she really wanted to, and that fact alone makes my 2nd point invalid. And 2 is the core of the discussion in my opinion. Since I enjoy delving into the human mind this topic gives me limitless satisfaction thanks to all possible connections to other parts of life.

Another question that popped when I listened to episode 9 of Power Word: Gold was;
I wonder why so few "gold gurus" comment on this blog/podcast overall? It all makes sense to me though. This blog is different in a way that will create three solid views on gold making; Gevlon's, Markco's and Flux’s. The 3rd category has the fewest, but he is the role model i'd choose if I only could choose one, but I will use the others information when I’m interested and they do deserve props regardless, for the sheer amount of work they have put in. Who would you choose? Why? Make sure you know you're reasons.

Discussing is good, do it and enjoy it. It’s all in the game!

All I get from this podcast/tweeting is props and the fun of sharing.

So I wouldn't post if i wasn't sure its quality.