I wanted to weigh in on the current Mali/India GPerson negotiation, and the lack of parallels to the RB-Banana relationship in the demogame. Basically Sullla is asking for a GProphet and Dantski wants a GPerson+something else in return. Sullla basically said "not happening." This surprises me, since this is definitely an opportunity where an unbalanced trade should be well worth the diplo. Dantski is neither a threat to win nor the only remaining potential rival to India, so trades aren't a zero sum game. By giving something free to Dantski India could gain some more diplo credit, valuable since their only potential rival sits on the other side of Dantski's land. And what would it cost them?
Anyways, I notice how different this attitude is than in the apolyton game where RB and Banana both engaged in one-sided deals in order to cultivate a relationship. I don't think Sullla has changed, but rather he views Mali's past actions as having forfeited that sort of relationship. But even if that's true and he's playing only in very Machiavellian terms, is propping up Dantski by way of a city spot really a bad idea if it gets India what they want in the short term?
Anyways, I notice how different this attitude is than in the apolyton game where RB and Banana both engaged in one-sided deals in order to cultivate a relationship. I don't think Sullla has changed, but rather he views Mali's past actions as having forfeited that sort of relationship. But even if that's true and he's playing only in very Machiavellian terms, is propping up Dantski by way of a city spot really a bad idea if it gets India what they want in the short term?