The Economics of the Game 10-11-06

Those of y'all that are in these streets know that the game is dirty...  there is no way around it.  Its grimey but its a necessarry evil to those that kick it like that.  The problem is that most people you meet aren't really dedicated to the game and doing what they gotta do to kick it for the good of all people so the rules of the game need to be broken down a touch.

Rule #1.  Give back to the game.  The game is like Karma, every night out is not going to be classic, its not going to be a Jigga video, however sometimes you have to give your all to the game so that good times still exist.  See some people just want to take from the game, and that sucks.  Plus it leads to diminishing returns for all involved.  For example, there might be a day that you don't want to go out, but you sort of need to, and if you go out you can't half ass it.  If you are cute, you gotta get cute, if you spend money you gotta spend money, etc. etc.  See if people always waited for guaranteed hot nights to go out, there would never be hot nights, but by you showing up and giving your all, you motivate others to show up the next time and soon enough there is a classic night on the horizon.  Some people did it for you when you had the great night, so you have to give back to the game.

Rule #2 Eliminate Free Riders.  See free riders are like those crew hangers on that try to never take the Ls or give back to the game but want to live off your shine on good nights.  Fact is that while I may get into some clubs for free, its because I am out like 5 days a week and have met all the promoters by repeated taking serious dents out of their bar minimums.  do I really need random cats then trying to roll in the spot with me, or always missing their day to cover the tab?  Hell to the Naw...  They need to give back to the game. 

Rule #3.  Invest wisely.  Sometimes when you are out cats will buy 4 drinks for 4 different people.  They leave the night a lot broker, but having made no advancements on their holler.  That does not make sense, one has to consider where they spend their money.  There are all types of logistical considerations which for prudences sake I wont get into right now, that one must think about before they just start throwing money down a hole.  Consider your investment so that you are not just blindingly supporting the game and not getting anything in return.  Think about it, even your mutual fund allows you to choose some direction into which types of investments you wish to make.

Rule #4 Never underestimate the need to educate the market.  This basically means be up front about what you are offering to maximize your return.  In the club everyone looks the same on some certain level.  and all people sort of assume that every unknown is equvalent to the lowest common denominator.  So basically, every dude is greasy and has greasy motives, and every girl is a bust down. That is why there must be some sense of parameter setting in the inital meetings lest all other actions are judged through a lens that is not flattering to the rest of your approach.

Rule #5 Its a marathon not a race.  I promise that unless you are from out of town, every single MF that you meet in the club you will see again without trying.  You don't need to try and lock everything down right now.  I can only think of about 1 person that I have ever met in these streets that I have not randomly seen later and know how to find if I want to, its aiight.

Rule #6 Run a cost benefit analysis.  In other words, impluse purchases are not a good look.  Basically, everything you do in the game has consequences.  Every action adds to your reputation.  Do your damn research.  Everybody you meet, knows someone you know, or at least you both know someone that knows the same person, therefore learn the consequences before you jump too far out the gate.  If you are not carefully you will find yourself barred from certain spots.  Also, you gotta ask yourself what you are getting out of each transaction.  At a certain point there has to be diminished returns, is the feedback worth the time and money expended?  Is the bit of fun worth the stress of attracting a psycho?  Have an answer before you move forward.

Rule #7 Don't take it personal.  Everybody is on their hustle.  you don't really know someone until you talk to them a few times out of the environment of the game (ie the club) however its like being in the wilderness, one may not be on their best behavior when they are trying to survive in this hostile habitat, but their actual personality may be different.  Remember that all wild animals are dangerous, but some of them actually can be domesticated, they just must be removed from the particular environment.

Rule #8, recognize some level of decorum.  you cant have multiple crew members hollerin at the same person.  The toe stepping is not a good look.  The specific rules can always be negotiated, but internal conflict shows weakness and is often exploited so keep your shit tight as to the faultlines in your crew.  Remember that anyone you meet will assume that your "crew" consists of the people you were with when they met you.  Disrespecting those folks, even if they were basically strangers makes you look quite grimey.

Rule #9 Know when to make cuts.  Some people just dont belong in your crew, its cool, it happens, it does not disrespect the value of any one person but it is mostly a question of chemistry.  No sports team could always just sign the best player, no, champions have built a team that completements each other.  To win the in the game you must do the same.  Its really that simple.

By taking into account the science of the game you can plan to maximize stories and fun and minimize some of the stress of the game.  Unfortunately it is not a perfect equations since cats are real good for coming up with new things that need to be covered in a rule, but as with everything, all laws are subject to review, and revision.