Couldn't agree more!

From what I can gather through reading this post is that the general consensus for PvP is to fight those that do not want to engage in it.

But I should interject that EvE is not a game that rewards engaging when outclassed, or that the concept of a "fair fight" even exists in this game.

The concept of a "Fair fight" does actually exist within the game but is ignored when it is convenient.

Proof or it's a lie.

you want proof of a concept???

Because in WSG all players were around my level, all had similar gear, and no player vastly outclassed or out geared anyone else. You had a chance. I feel if I stick my head into lowsec or 0.0, I will have no chance.

Yes, prove that the concept of "fair fight" exists, and that it is ignored when convenient.

I just think it strange how so many people adopt the mentality of attacking those that have no desire or means to fight instead of fighting someone who could fight back. The concept of a "Fair fight" does actually exist within the game but is ignored when it is convenient. If all (pvp) combat except for war decs was taken away from hi-sec I would wager any amount of isk that there would be a large number of people saying the game has been spoilt for them. In other words because they could no longer hunt non willing or non abled combatants the game would be gone for them. The majority of PvPers would not be affected the griefers and gankers would be mortified.

[...]

I agree with you.

I just think it strange how so many people adopt the mentality of attacking those that have no desire or means to fight instead of fighting someone who could fight back. The concept of a "Fair fight" does actually exist within the game but is ignored when it is convenient. If all (pvp) combat except for war decs was taken away from hi-sec I would wager any amount of isk that there would be a large number of people saying the game has been spoilt for them. In other words because they could no longer hunt non willing or non abled combatants the game would be gone for them. The majority of PvPers would not be affected the griefers and gankers would be mortified.

I mean this with all respect.

Do you actually know what the word concept means?

I think the majority of people is not looking for a "fair fight" at all, in the sense you seem to understand a fight.
In my opinion, the fight begins long before the shooting starts. With selecting your ship, choosing your target (if applicable), gathering information, being aware, avoiding enemies you cannot defeat, or are not likely to defeat etc.
Sometimes, to reach a certain goal or maybe out of sheer desperation or because you can't get away, you may have to fight a fight with bad odds.

That's all part of the game, and I find that interesting.

Gankers may have all kinds of motivations. Some are selective with their targets and gank for profit. I've read about people suicide-ganking miners to get rid of or discourage competitors. Some may just do it for fun.
There is nothing inherently wrong with it. I'm sure ganking has its own challenges, especially if the target pays attention as there are a number of things to make gank-success less likely. Others mentioned those already.
That makes it sort of a fair fight after all. You can make the gankers fail.
Fighting back not only means shooting back.

Nature does not provide a concept of fairness.

It's: Eat or be eaten.

Fairness is an artificial construct created by human minds,
ignoring that equality does not and will never exist,
until it is forced onto everybody.

The end result would be that everybody would be forced
to be equal to the lowest and weakest...

... which is not only completely unnatural, but also opposite to progress and evolution.

Actually nature does show a remarkable amount of fairness in that every animal knows what other animals it needs to avoid.

Actually nature does show a remarkable amount of fairness in that every animal knows what other animals it needs to avoid.

Ok a fair fight in this instance is when 2 or more opposing parties AGREE to combat regardless of set ups, ships, locations etc etc, there does not need to be equal sides regards numbers, indeed one side can have a distinct advantage over the other but if ALL opposing sides agree to fight then it is "Fair" as all sides could if they want prepare for it. It gets conveniently ignored when only one side wishes to combat and gives the opposing side no warning or time to prepare.

Sure they do, laddie, sure they do

http://bit.ly/1nF3P8U

I have been playing EVE for almost a year now. One thing that I have learned is that no matter what, if I engage in ship to ship PvP, I will die. Sometimes I put up a good fight, but mostly I go down hard. The upside of that, though, is discovering how much fun it is to fit some stabs, and wind everyone up who're trying to kill me.

Interesting you picked the Dodo.

An animal made extinct because it did not recognize man as being a threat.

Similar to pilots who do not recognize the pilots who would rather fight non combatant targets.

We will assume I accept this.

If EvE represents players taking the roles of citizens in vast star-empires...

Where does this fit in?

Its not piracy, industrial espionage or sabotage, its not warfare, its not gang-related killings, its not robbery, its not pub brawls, its not crime-fighting or vigilantism

What part of life does this reflect and why would I wish to participate?

That is my point.
MOST people who participate in PVP do it with a certain amount of honour. Just because you fight "fairly" does not mean others do.
You ask a very poignant question at the end, What part of life does this reflect and why would I wish to participate? From what I can gather you don't participate in it, You participate your PvP with valid targets. IE those that can give you a good fight, All of your targets are willing combatants.

My favourite target is a scanner-boat on a relic site not paying attention when I decloak, launch an unguided bomb into his face, recloak and if it kills him, I loot his corpse down to the fillings.

I try to make it as unfair as possible for them, because that guarantees my success and reduces my chances of dying.

I do an awful lot to reduce my chances of dying.

And you will never, ever, ever see my accept a 1 v 1 with anyone.

Ever.

is that done in hi sec?

[quote=Ramona McCandless][quote=Satur Arbosa]


And you will never, ever, ever see my accept a 1 v 1 with anyone.