Tribe Selection

[clauderainsrm]

 

Welcome to Survivor!

You may have noticed that you came here in one group, and have not been separated out yet.  That’s because, much like One World, you are two tribes living on a single beach.  How you choose to coexist with each other is completely up to you.  But that means although you will be battling it out in challenges, every night you are going to have to come back to the shared camp. 

This is going to add another level of complexity to an already potentially social interaction, as you figure out how to navigate camp life while living and working beside “the enemy.” 

It wouldn’t be Survivor though if we didn’t have one last twist to throw at you - and here it is - YOU will be picking your tribes.  It’s an old fashioned “school-yard pick,” but with a twist: 

Each of you will be ranking every member of this group, from 1-19 (1 being your top choice), and sending that list to me at clauderainsrm@gmail.com by Wednesday, October 21st, 6pm ET.  

The 2 contestants with the best collective score will be “team captains” for this activity.  The person with the most votes will get their top available pick - the other captain will get the 2nd selection… and so on.  If, by any chance, someone selected does not submit their picks - it will default to the best ranking from the team captain’s choices.  This continues until everyone has been picked for a tribe.   The make up for the tribes WILL BE POSTED, as they are selected.  You will know where it is that you stand with the group - so you know how much of an uphill battle it’s going to be to change people’s first impressions. 

You in the yellow parka, impoetry - Do you have any first impressions of this group?  Anyone stand out? 

How about you swirlsofpurple?  Any strategy in how you are planning on ranking your fellow contestants? 

lawchicky819   - You’ve played LJ Idol before, but this is Survivor.  Do you come into this with a different mentality or is it just “go with the flow” and see what happens?

gunwithoutmusic   - Does coming into this knowing that not only will you be helping to select your tribe - but also that you are going to be living alongside them make a difference in how you make those selections?  

adoptedwriter  - You know that Edge of Extinction will be playing a role this season. How much is that on your mind when it comes to putting together your ideal tribe? How does that change how you plan on approaching the game? 

megatronix  - What do you think you are bringing to this experience that could benefit your tribe?  

And you, wolfden-  I’m pretty sure you were the first one to be cast on this season. You were eager to go, to experience Survivor. How does that pre-game excitement measure up to standing here, knowing that you are about to actually be playing the game? 

bittyjane  - Just by looking around the group, Is there anyone here that you think might be in over their heads? 


bleodswean   - Is there anyone that you think is going to be underestimated? 


minikin25 -  You started at a very different time in LJ Idol history. You've seen it in calmer eras, as well as times when it got a little "cut-throat." Do you think that either of those styles of play are going to be helpful here in Survivor? 


alycewilson   - Looking over the group, you seem to be the one with the most continuous Idol seniority. In a game like this, do you think that is going to be an advantage or a liability? 


jenwithapen - You’ve endured so much just to get here to this cyber-beach.  What does this experience mean to you?  


bsgsix - There faces here that you are familiar with, and quite a few that you might not know.  How does that impact how you are thinking about the selection process? 

halfshellvenus - How important is it to pick a good team on Day 1?  


uselesstinrelic   - When you start thinking of everyone on this beach, how are you going to approach ranking? Are you thinking of who you think might be the strongest competitors to help the tribe in challenges, or are you already thinking about people who might be personally loyal to you for the long run? 

flipflop_diva  - Is there anyone out here that you think you immediately want to work with, or who you look at and go “this person could be a problem for my game?” 

For murielle, the other side of that coin is - is there anyone you look at and go “That could be very, very bad for me?” 

eeyore_grrl - Some people would say it’s crazy for someone to sign up to play this game - what exactly are you hoping of getting out of this experience? 


n3m3sis43  - There are 19 contestants.  Which means someone isn’t going to be picked for a tribe.  Someone is going to be an outcast from day 1.  It could be you.  How is that going to factor in with how you make your selections? 

With all that said - let’s get to it.  Answer your question/respond to others… and of course, get me your rankings before the deadline! 

Comments

[gunwithoutmusic]

Well, Gary, you know... I spent a lot of time before starting this, pretty much from the point I knew I'd be here, thinking about who else might be here and whether or not I would know anyone, what strategy would look like for me and for other people going into this, but I honestly didn't expect that we'd be picking our tribes.

I honestly haven't even considered my selections, but I think what any of us are going to be looking for at the start would be what any Survivor should be looking for: a good, solid tribe. In the early game, I personally will benefit from being on a tribe with strong writers that I think can help carry the tribe through and avoid Tribal Council, so my instinct is to look at the names I do know and make my selections from there.

However, there are names that I don't know, so that makes it hard to really say who's going to be strong in this game. There's also a whole social aspect, and I definitely think that there's something to be said about picking people that may not be the strongest writers but that I have some sort of connection to, because you can have a tribe full of strong writers but one little sprinkling of drama can distract from the writing and bring strong writers down.

All of us being together like in One World almost throws all of this out the window, though. I can already imagine cross-tribe alliances being born, and one could say that it might be better to try and place some of my picks on my tribe and try to get some of my picks on the opposite tribe specifically to breed alliances and cover worst-case scenarios.

I'll have to give all of this some serious thought. I told myself that I'd stop trying to expect what was coming up and just play the game as it comes, so I'm very uncertain right now. Way to jump right into making us strategize! I thought for sure we'd get to enjoy at least a day of relaxing on the beach.

[jenwithapen]

GUNS!! It's like walking down the hallways of the place you first lived. Maybe it was a college dorm, maybe it was your very first apartment away from mom and dad. Whichever, whatever, I'm getting those same butterflies-- excited, but frenetic! HAH!

I hadn't even THOUGHT of teams! Which, duh on my part! ;D But, Gary is all about the twist, so! The second you get too comfortable or too complacent in this game, you're done! =D

With that said, I am happy to see your face here!

[eeyore_grrl]

No day at the beach for us. I'm out of the loop and haven't played Idol in some time. So, let's see how this goes!

[adoptedwriter]

I don't know you. Or maybe I do by a diff name? Nice to meet you! (shakes hand virtually)

[halfshellvenus]

I think you've ALREADY given this some serious (and useful!!) thought. :D

I have no expectations of this season, other than that it might not be much like any other season I've played.

So this first step right here? BuzZUH?

[n3m3sis43]

Hmmmm... strategy has always been the toughest part of LJI for me.

In the first season I played, there was a bit of a kerfuffle about 'strategic voting' and alliances and whether or not they were okay. I personally think they're part of the game, but the first time I tried to engage in them, I inadvertently helped get my closest friend in the game eliminated. :( I still feel a little guilty about that.

Maybe I shouldn't be saying this out loud while people are making their picks. o_O HI FRANDS, IF YOU PICK ME I'LL ACCIDENTALLY GET YOU ELIMINATED. Though I'm hoping I've learned something from that experience and have improved at strategic thinking since then; it's been a few years.

I'd rather not be the outcast, but tbh it wouldn't be the first time it's happened to me. For the most part, I made my picks based on who I thought would be a good (or advantageous) teammate and didn't worry too much about anything beyond that. If I'm the outcast, so be it (though it's definitely not my first choice). :)

[gunwithoutmusic]

As I said in my journal, being the outcast might not necessarily be a bad thing - if this goes like Survivor, that would mean you'd avoid the first Tribal Council, so it'd basically be a guaranteed immunity the first time around.

Back when I played Idol the first time, there was definitely strategic votes and alliances and stuff, but the most recent season didn't feel very strategic (at least not to me; Gary would probably know better how much strategy people were putting into their votes). Really that's part of the reason I was excited about doing this: the strategy part can be fun if you play it right. And I get the feeling that with the way things are going to be structured, "strategy" is going to look completely different from how Idol strategy would work.

My Question

[murielle]

"the other side of that coin is - is there anyone you look at and go “That could be very, very bad for me?”'

Potentially anybody, everybody! However, I prefer to look on the bright side and I know how good we all are at teamwork so I'm thinking no matter who's on my team it will be aces all the way.

I was kind of dreading this, but so far, so good. Okay, I'm still "dreading, dreading, dreading," but I'm also excited. :-)

Re: My Question

[gunwithoutmusic]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing! There's a handful of people I'm not familiar with (or I recognize from a long time ago so I'm not familiar with their current writing), and I think those people make me the most nervous. The people I've played with recently or know a little better, I can kind of gauge whether I could see myself up against them later, but these unknowns are... well, unknown! Could be really bad to underestimate anyone.

[n3m3sis43]

But speaking of strategy, I'm making some of my (mostly old af) writing public in case that helps people decide whether I'd be a useful teammate. A lot of it was written for Idol deadlines and may not be the most polished. Will update if I find more to add here. :)

Fiction:
https://n3m3sis43.dreamwidth.org/tag/fiction

This Dr. Seuss parody poem I had the most fun writing:
https://n3m3sis43.dreamwidth.org/97556.html

[eeyore_grrl]

LOVE LOVELOVE the Dr. Suess poem

[bittyjane]

Who’s in over their heads? Me. Most definitely. My track record in Idol hasn’t been great. My best performance was the first season I participated in. I think that was the only season I was eliminated due to votes and not because I bye-d out. Not great.

Additionally, I worry that I’m too “nice” for this. I can remember watching early seasons of Survivor thinking, “I could do this!” But inevitably as the season would draw to a close, I’d start to doubt if I really could. I’m not great at subterfuge and deceit and have a feeling that skills such as those may prove useful in this competition. I’m loyal to a fault and too compassionate for my own good (or so I’ve been told). And while those traits are fine, they do mean that I am often taken advantage of, which could easily be my downfall.

Regardless, I’m looking forward to the journey and the experience.

[gunwithoutmusic]

I personally think there's something to be said about being "nice." Sure, there's maybe a bit of a worry about not being "cut-throat" when we get to the merge, but I would rather be on a strong tribe of nice people than have to think too much and get paranoid about what I might be missing.

[eeyore_grrl]

“Some people would say it’s crazy for someone to sign up to play this game - what exactly are you hoping of getting out of this experience?”

welcome back into the fold
this time is different though
with teams and open choosing
i’m in high school again & trying not to run

but that is not all
while there can be only one
there is the thrill of the fight
	   the thrill of the people
	   the thrill of the word

i am here to 
		win
	& show the power of poetry
					     again

[murielle]

Hi! Yay! Happy poetry! It's good to see you, hope all is well with you and yours. :-)

[bleodswean]

LOL. This is CRAZY. I thought that having zero knowledge of Survivor might help...I'm not thinking that now.

Oh, I often think that underestimating others is a human trait that should be cautioned against. Everyone has something to offer and most have an Ace or two up their sleeve. It's a level playing field and I want to be surprised!

[n3m3sis43]

It's okay, I don't have much knowledge of Survivor either. Last night, I watched my first Survivor episode ever, lol. I started with season 1 and am now through the first... two? three? episodes. The last one I saw was the one where they ate the yucky bugs.

(At least Gary can't make us eat bugs... probably.)

[bsgsix]

I'll be back with an answer to this in the afternoon - off to lab work and an MRI. But I remember a lot of these faces (my retrograde amnesia aside) from both LJ Idol back when I first played in 2009, and some from when I most recently played here in 2018. I know how *strong* these writers are. And I know my strength as well. So once I have time to sit down with my thoughts this afternoon... I'll discuss strategies (ones I'm willing to lay out on the table, anyhow. If my card shark grandmother taught me one thing in life, it's to keep SOME semblance of a poker face - though I know and trust so many people here that I feel I can be open and honest. That being said, is that strategic - to be vulnerable? It could be. More to come...).

[gunwithoutmusic]

This is what I'm struggling with when it comes to strategy. I'm not planning on being deceitful or anything other than me - bragging rights and an Amazon gift card are nice, but not worth giving myself up for. I'm thinking that it could be a good thing to be open about stuff; I'm certainly planning on going into Tribal Councils with my heart on my sleeve. If you think about it, being open and honest could be a huge benefit if you get to the end and are able to say you played a clean game. But then it could also bite you if you look like an easy target.

I sit in front of the TV and watch Survivor and I'm totally saying to myself, "I'd play it this way," but now that I'm actually in something like this... well, I don't know what I'm going to do.

On a side note, I was researching the people I don't know as well and I'm really enjoying your writing style; I'm looking forward to reading more of you even if we aren't on a tribe together!

Bibble

[minikin25]

Right then. Bear with me please; I’ve just joined Dream Width so I can participate and I’m still finding my feet.

I have to admit to being nostalgic for the days I could read all of the Idol entries. With a field of nineteen, I feel as if I have a chance.

I have a friend who told me about the “last man to read everything.” I can’t recall the name or timeframe he gave me, so I googled. I found this snippet about that.

Sigh.

For now I’m hoping to interconnect with the field by this time tomorrow before I vote.

What was the question again?

Oh, right, styles of play. That’s where my brain started beetling. I think er, hope the size of the field lends to a calmer, more considered style.

Re: Bibble

[megatronix]

That's a good point - I can read all the entries with 19 contestants! It's so so so so so much more difficult when there are 100 to start with. This is a great number!

[megatronix]

What am I bringing that could benefit the tribe? Well... I brought this knife I forged myself from a horseshoe? Is that useful? Probably not, it isn't very sharp. Unlike my senses! Just kidding, probably a lot like my senses, especially given I'm quite sleepy at the moment. But no sleeping!! Important decisions must be made! Decisions first, nap later, then more decisions, probably, I never am quite able to shake those nasty stalkers...

I just realized I wore an astronaut suit to this island. What was I thinking? Oh wait, no, it's a SCUBA outfit, I'm sure! Yeah, that works. Let's go with that. I'm underwaterrrr.... *said in underwater voice*

Apparently I'm babbling from nervousness, don't mind me. XD

I bring fairly ok writing and a desire to have fun! That's... yeah, that's all I got here, people. *waves awkwardly*

If anyone doesn't know, I'm Ellison on LJ, btw. Just thought I'd throw that out there a handful of times just in case people weren't sure if they knew me or not!

[murielle]

Spacesuit? No worries. We're talking Gary here. He hasn't said anything about exactly where he marooned us. We could be in another galaxy.

Just so great to see you here! :-)

[jenwithapen]

A year and half ago I went through something excruciatingly painful (it'll be 2 in Feb), and I've been struggling with it ever since. Not just struggling with my fear of abandonment, or a concern for what others think of me, but also how cold and brutal people can be. If I had to choose between cold outside or scorching hot, my choice would be cold, every day, and twice on Sunday! If I got to pick whether we had a giant thunderstorm (even if it knocked out power for 30 city blocks, or a bright sunshiny day, I'd take a page from Garbage, and say, "I'm only happy when it rains!" But, with people? Not so much.

Now, that's what I've endured. What put me on this beach was a chance to get away for awhile. Get away from being me, for a bit, and getting lost in character's lives. Where they live, how they live. Working out every last detail, even if it wasn't needed, but thinking eye color, shape of their face, where they work, etc. =D

Idol has always been an escape for me, so this is no different (in simple theory). And I said "different" not "difficult". =D We might have some hard challenges, but no matter where Gary turns the dial, being creative and getting a finished product, and helping people along the way, well... that's why I'm here. =D In this place that is such an inspiration with so many gorgeous faces I know. <3

[eeyore_grrl]

"I'm only happy when it's complicated."
Which isn't saying that is totally true, but due to my upbringing, sometimes I *am* more comfortable when things are complicated... I expect complicated. So if it's complicated I can stop waiting for the other shoe to drop and fucking deal with it.

[flipflop_diva]

My question:  Is there anyone out here that you think you immediately want to work with, or who you look at and go “this person could be a problem for my game?” 

This is hard, because there are actually a ton of people I would really love to work with, but I don't know how many of those people would want to work with me. I always feel like everyone else is this total tight social circle of BFFs and then there's me. Which is more like returnee/all-star Survivor than regular Survivor, since people are starting off with pre-game relationships. So I guess, in general, navigating that seems the trickiest part because I feel like I'm starting two steps behind.

But hey, anyone that wants to work with me, I am here! lol.

[murielle]

((Hugs you tight!)) Well, of course!

[lawchicky819]

I'm treating this completely different from LJ Idol. I'm not sure exactly what to expect here, but I think it's going to be a lot more challenging and have more aspects of Survivor twists. I'm excited though!

[murielle]

Hi! It's so good to see you again! Can't wait to see what you bring to ... all this! :-)

Who's With Me

[impoetry]

Look, it's great to see we're all in the same bote here. "What is this," "What's going to happen," and that's great. But friends, crew, new and old, this is a life and death adventure.

The first thing we need is answers, and nature and our host are not likely to be forthcoming with either.

So the second, and now the most important thing we need is leadership.
I have been in charge of the most topsy turvy, unpredictable adventures you can imagine, on multiple continents. I've got moxie for days and a reliable bootlegger if we get in a pinch. You'll find I am a man of tremendous CHARACTER.

Consider putting me at the top of your list of potential captains. I will keep us alive, keep us fed, keep us protected, and let's be honest, will keep us laughing through the storms we're bound to encounter.

IMPOETRY, Skipper Brian; he's here for you, for us, for survival.

Re: Who's With Me

[gunwithoutmusic]

Check out this guy over here.

[bsgsix]

I am so late with my formal reply. I offer my apologies: lab work and an MRI during a pandemic AND in a new hometown is a draining experience!

But I survived. And then made that terrible "Survivor" pun, which I hope you all will please ignore. ;)

Anyhow, the question asked: There faces here that you are familiar with, and quite a few that you might not know. How does that impact how you are thinking about the selection process?

Anyone who knows me, or who has even read my profile, knows I'm a very upfront person. If asked, I'll tell you an honest answer. I don't like deceit or trickery, and I especially don't like to trick my friends and loved ones. I think it's wrong, and ever since 2010, when I had my traumatic brain injury and retrograde amnesia, I vowed to ALWAYS tell the truth. If other people could manipulate my brain with lies, I wouldn't be the type of person to do the same. I won't play silly backstabbing games or go back and forth with my opinion. Despite the fact that I grew up in a family where the motto was "never talk about what you've been through," I wear my heart on my sleeve.

And I will here, too. Many of you are my friends - some of you very dear friends, some close friends, some friends whom I'm happy to reconnect with! The people I don't know are people I *hope* will become friends, because I'm honestly not here to make enemies. Will people always get along? HAHA NAH. I'm nice, not naive. I've been around 38 years (39 on October 27th!) - I know the general nature of humanity. But what you read and see from me is what you get. I'm not going to select, or kick out, or harm people I don't know in favor of those I do. I'll base my decisions on kindness, on responses, and most importantly, on the quality of writing. I came here to write - so did everyone else. The writing comes second ONLY to the amazing people who are in this competition.

We may be competitors, but we're also friends. I choose all of you; when I have to make tough decisions, I'll explain why openly and honestly. I have nothing to hide. I'm fair, and I'm honest. I have my demons, but they are demons to be placed in my writing - not to be put upon all of you.

If I were running for president or something, this is where I'd say, "And that's why you should vote for me as your leader: I'm kind, I will be fair, I will base everything on quality and not underhanded strategy that may favor only my friends, and you can trust me with every word you have to say - fictional or otherwise." But since I'm not running for president, the above remains true, but just a little less preachy.

My final thought: I'm aggressive. I'm competitive (I grew up with having to survive on my own from the age of 3 on; by age 17, I was winning literal competitions in music and writing to make enough money to leave my home and live safely elsewhere). I'm honest. I do like to win. But I won't do it at the expense of betraying others, or to form an alliance with 17 others to vote out one "not-as-popular" writer. Everyone starts out equally. Everyone ends equally - as a human being. Everyone will not *end* equally as a writer, but that doesn't mean I think anyone is lacking in talent or quality. It's a tough choice that will be made honestly, and with discussions and plenty of thought. My strategy is not to deceive you. It's to be myself, and if that's my downfall and what causes others to not choose me/not want me/kick me out, then at least I can go out with my head held high. <3

[gunwithoutmusic]

Oh, I think I'm in love; don't tell my husband.

Seriously, this is exactly how I am aiming to play (which makes me wonder if I shouldn't rethink my game). I like your honesty and I'm really looking forward to reading more from you. I'm pretty competitive myself, but I don't want to get anywhere by screwing over other people on purpose.

Glad to Be Here!

[adoptedwriter]

I have no idea what I am in for. LOL. I had to Google the meaning for "Edge of Extinction", which is not far off from what my assumption was. I have no strategy except for doing the best I can. LOL, I'm here to connect w folks, stay positive, and keep writing. Good to "see" everyone! I assume there's another "island" one could be sent to? a Purgatory-like place? I cannot imagine anyone in this amazing group not being part of someone's "ideal" tribe. Warm water, waves, sunshine, sand, and assorted frozen beverages, and we are all good to go!

Re: Glad to Be Here!

[murielle]

Hi!

Exciting isn't it?!

What a great idea! Think of it as an island vacation. So badly needed this time of year. :-)

[alycewilson]

I'm not sure that seniority is EVER an advantage, to be honest. In most cases, I feel like it's a hindrance, because people already know what to expect from you and, in some cases, they judge more harshly as a result of failing to make expectations.

Still, I'm excited to see what happens!

[jenwithapen]

Not even a LITTLE, hon! You're so clever, so witty, and you have such a unique voice! Sometimes people interpret the word "unique" as a negative, but I mean it as the most positive-positive a positive can be! Because, if we were all out here writing the same darn thing, who'd keep us sane when the electricity went out, or on long bus rides, or after we've seriously overpaid a "hydration technician" for a latte with a side of grass shot.

So, I think seniority (which, I can remember how many IDOLs I've played now, but I think I'm right up there with ya on this one!) brings the advantages of knowing that Gary is a shifty bitch, and you can never trust a word he says. Love you, Gary!

We know the time investment this game takes, but we also know the rewards for us both personally and casually.

We also know that whatever work product comes out of this, sometimes there's gold to be mined!

I'm just as excited to see you here! =D Can't wait to see where we are when ol' Gar gets around to posting lists. ;D

[wolfden]

I am excited to play. I’m still enthusiastic. I am surprised to have been the first one cast, usually I end up being later to the Idol game. In some ways, this feels like an insane challenge to take on. But then again, what fun is life without a challenge (says the one with 2 kids 19 years apart). Looking forward to what this adventure brings.

[alycewilson]

I know a few moms who have kids that far apart, and I'm always very impressed with the amount of persistence and drive that takes. Parenting at any age is challenging, but to have widely-spread ages in children only adds to that challenge, I'd imagine.

[kizzy]

:watching and listening from the sidelines:

;)

[murielle]

The closer we get, the more nervous I get, the more I envy you. :-)

Picking a good team

[halfshellvenus]

... is key!

You want a team that will help you survive as long as possible, but also (as gunswithoutmusic mentioned above), a team that can get along.

I mean, imploding as a team is not good, and you sure don't want to reach the point where you throw a challenge just to vote a slacker or a villain out of your tribe! Though I don't think we have anyone like that playing this round. :)

Right? None of you are used car salesmen, are you? :O

[halfshellvenus]

Of course, let me start off with a point of confusion.

Each of us is one of the 19 people we're ranking.

So, I'm assuming we each put ourselves first? Because obvs, we should want to be on our own team? \o?

[gunwithoutmusic]

I actually just sent in a list of everyone but me... Which means I may have inadvertently ranked myself my least favorite person. :(