Sedgistan wrote:Where I think things are a bit less certain are on the "main" power of the position - e.g. Veto vs Queue reordering. Both are technically feasible; the Veto is easier for admin to code but "not by much". Some thoughts on both:
- Veto:
- A simple, visible power.
- Creates a challenge both for authors and the SCP on timings, whether that be submission or when to veto.
- Easy to adjust for balance, e.g. if we find that 2 vetoes per term are preferable.
- Can lead to a "lame duck" and the role being irrelevant if veto used early in term.
- Potential for clear, distinct policies for candidates. Use of the power is sure to create controversy.
- Question as to whether the veto blocks a proposal of the same type (e.g. "Condemn Sedgistan") from being resubmitted that term.
- Questions around when a veto is deployed, and how (if) it is displayed when at vote. Does it take effect immediately or at end of voting? Also what happens if the vetoed proposal fails at vote.
How hard would both be? I think the voting recommendation fills some of the 'simple, visible power' part for the general WA, but the bit I like about veto is whenever it is used, there will be significant salt from various factions/conflict, which is the drama that GP thrives upon.
Sedgistan wrote:Queue reordering:
- Not yet clearly defined - is this actual "reordering", which could lead to a proposal being indefinitely delayed as new ones get submitted and bumped up? Or a more basic ability to temporarily delay a proposal by +3 (or some other value) of days, which allows for an element of reordering without indefinitely blocking a proposal.
- Change is less visible. Most regular players do not look at the proposal queue. Additional coding to make this more prominent.
- Generally more constructive power than a veto, but can be used destructively.
- "Constant" power that can be excercised throughout the SCP's term. This is a mostly good thing as it keeps the position and its associated politicking active, but for those authors/side that the SCP "opposes" this could dissuade activity from them.
- Constant nature of this power makes a "Recall" proposal category more important to launch alongside this change; additional coding for admin.
Actual reordering - like reordering embassies etc. A proposal could technically be delayed forever, but that would be reliant on an active motivated SecGen, with a non-stop continuous flood of legal proposals reaching quorum and being voted upon. Given that hasn't yet happened in the SC, I don't think that is much of a threat.
Agreed on the change being less visible for normal players, but the proposal reordering is less for them, and more for SC authors/GPers/adding value to the position. I don't know what the right medium for the visibility of reordering, probably just a line on the proposal status stating that either the proposal is 'In quorum', 'In quorum: this proposal has been prioritised by the Office of the SecGen' or 'In quorum: this proposal has been chosen for additional scrutiny by the Office of the SecGen'. The aim is for the SecGen to be able to put specific proposals to the front or back of the queue - the way how is more up to whatever is easier coding wise. As being able to promote 10 proposals to the front of the queue, has the same effect as pushing the 11th proposal to the back of the queue.
The constructive tool that can be used destructively is very NS, where players are given tools and it is up to them how to use them. Yes, might be an issue for players who the SecGen opposes, but that will just result in them waiting in queue for longer, or submitting in lulls in SC activity (which would stop it being a lull), as the SecGen's proposal reordering only has power when there are other proposals in queue, which there are often not. Right now, there are 0 proposals in the queue.
I don't actually think there needs to be a recall proposal with roll out of the feature. At some point yes, and if it becomes a problem definitely yes, but I don't think that's any different to veto. I actually see more issues with overuse of the proposal than not having one, but I think that'd be fixable by changing the quorum requirements for that proposal if it does become an issue.
Sedgistan wrote:Other stuff that's uncertain:
- Number of rounds in the election, and how long they last. I do not think we want 4. I'm leaning towards 1 or 2. I quite liked the suggestion of hiding the leaderboard for the first round, but that may be too complicated.
- If the incumbent's term continues until the new SCP is elected (as was done with Caelapes) or if their is a period during the campaign without an incumbent. I'm leaning towards the former, not least because it's the current situation.
- If a "Recall" category is necessary from the start, or something to consider for later, and if there are any different requirements for this compared to a normal proposal (e.g. quorum or voting percentages). Also how the SCP's powers interact with this (relevant mainly if their power revolves around reordering the queue).
I think I suggested the hiding leaderboard, so I'm for it. Ideally would function as what was suggested with the WA voting, where it'd be hidden for the first day or so then be visible for rest once organic leaders had been formed rather than lemming, and the TZ advantage had been negated. But the aim is to negate the TZ advantage, so whatever way is implementable would be fine.
Rounds/incumbent while campaigning, don't have any strong thoughts.
As I said earlier in this post, don't think it's necessary to have recall from the start, and re differences from a normal proposal, should just change things if they become an issue. Probably should figure out what is 'an issue' to catalyst change in the quorum/passing percentage before implementation though.
Sedgistan wrote:Stuff I've mostly dismissed:
- "Extra votes" for SCP position; non-intuitive quasi-veto.
- Term limits. If someone keeps getting elected, why deny voters?
- Increased term lengths. Kuriko, one of the most active players around 12 months ago, is effectively retired now. People's activity waxes and wanes. 6 months is a good balance between excessive, constant election campaigning, and dwindling activity from overly-long terms.
- Getting rid of the "Vice" SCP. Code exists already; it's good backup in case the SCP disappears.
I've probably missed something or other from this.
So what would the 'Vice' actually do? Would they have equal powers, powers when the SecGen was inactive for 7 days, or powers only when the SecGen was impeached? What would happen with impeachment, would the Vice be removed as well and a new election be held, or would the Vice assume power? And if the vice assumed power, would they appoint their own Vice, or what would happen if the original Vice was impeached after the SecGen was impeached? Would there just be no one until the next election?