Claimed:Invasion of the Robots: The Case for Intelligent CPUs in the VHL [6/6 Final]

“Look at you, hacker: a pathetic creature of meat and bone, panting and sweating as you run through my corridors. How can you challenge a perfect, immortal machine?”
― Ken Levine

Does the Future of VHL Expansion and Depth Lie in Artificial Intelligence?

Us robots get it.  We can be hard to live with.  We're basically perfect.  We steal your jobs and run your stock market.  Your children are now addicted to us.  The world is already basically run by us robots.  However, that doesn't mean there can't be more partnering in the VHL between flesh-beings and robots. There can be a bright future there if you'll let it happen.

The VHL is a wonderful league that could exist in its current format without any problems.  However, let's not settle for great, when 'The Greatest' is still to be achieved.

One of the key talking points in the VHL is the issue of expansion (or sometimes contraction) and roster depth.  VHL teams are notorious for being only half-filled with real flesh-beings, while the bottom end of the roster is filled out with toasters on skates who serve the purpose of carving up the ice while the real players catch their breath.  It's rather boring, and frankly, highly offensive to those robots who are in slavery.

I would like to propose a Robotic Free Agency, where highly diverse and intelligent robots are available every season to teams, using a limited budget that can only be used for that purpose.  Let's take a look at some of the specifics.

The Budget

The budget for the Robotic Free Agency would be set at a certain amount which is available for a total of three seasons. When that set amount runs out it cannot be filled up again until the end of that three season cycle.  This allows for teams to have a great deal of creativity as to when and how they would like to spend their Robot Salary Cap dollars.

The Players

Each season a preset amount of Robotic Players would be available to each and every team.  The players may consist of players such as a Scorer, a Passer, A Defensive Defenseman, a Gritty Hitting Forward, or a Backup Goaltender.  The number of options are highly flexible and only up to the imagination of whichever flesh-creature may wish to take on the idea. 

The more valuable the player, the more expensive their one year contract is.  Each player can only be signed for one season, and has a static cost.

The Idea

The main idea behind the Robotic Free Agent Draft would be a huge increase in the range of decisions a VHL GM can have in building their team from year to year.

Do they want to try and pretend to be a rebuilding team, but actually spend a bunch of cash on robotic depth?

Do they want to sign a few goons for the fourth line during a down year just to rack up the penalties and entertain the fans?

Do they need a backup goaltender who can step in on those off nights when the Starter needs a break?

The addition of a whole new layer of Robotic players would create some real excitement for VHL GMs, and a new way for them to show their skils in that role.

The Draft

One idea would be to have all VHL GMs submit their Robotic Free Agent picks secretly via PM to the Robotic Draft Planner.  Then, the following day, the results of the Free Agency woud be revealed, with much discussion and trash talking sure to be had!

Media Articles and Podcasts trying to guess what teams are going to do on Robotic Free Agency Draft Day would be a great read, and the draft has the potential to be one of the highlights of the entire season.

But What About the Flesh-Creatures?

I can hear it now.  'You'll hurt the humans feelings if they have robots getting too much attention.'  This is a valid concern, and it should be noted that Robots are here only to serve you humans, and not make your lives worse. 

Settings limits on which lines Robotic players can play on seems to be a logical way to downplay their importance too much. The idea behind the Robot Draft is to give more depth to rosters, and not take away the spotlight from the mortal creatures who are really the driving force behind this league.

Ultimately, Robotic Players could be one way to increase GM Creativity, VHL Roster Depth, and potentially push towards expansion a little bit quicker.  It's an idea that will likely see some push back, but luddites have always been among us, and technology keeps marching on despite them.

Content: 3/3

An interesting read with a pretty valid point. I love the point-of-view, and the great word choices. "Flesh-beings" was a favourite. Nice quote too. 788 words

Grammar: 2/2

Very small things with no real bearing on the reading, but I have to point them out anyway. Caution: VERY nitpicky! 

basically run by us robots.  However, that doesn't >> basically run by us robots; however, that doesn't. 

However always comes after a semicolon. 

problems.  However, >> problems; however, 

Same thing. I know semi colons are out of vogue, but that's still a hard fast grammar rule. 

Each player can only be signed for one season, and has a static cost. >> for one season and has... 

There is no reason for the , since it's a list of only two so it doesn't qualify for an oxford comma. More specifically, you're not joining two independent clauses. 

VHL GMs, and a new >> VHL GMs and a new

Same thing with the comma. 

 is a valid concern, and it should be noted that Robots are here only to serve you humans, and not make your lives worse.

This second "and" in the sentence does not belong.  

Appearance: 1/1

Great picture, easy read, well formatted. 

Thanks for the feedback. 

Using the word 'However' at the start of a sentence used to be a no-no (my copy of The Elements of Style says not to do it) but more modern style guides have revisited the usage of it and view it as a non-issue, and actually appropriate in many cases.

Grammar Girl has a good piece on it!

I've read the Grammar Girl and a number of other arguments on the same subject. You will never convince me otherwise, but that's because our focuses are in different places. In the way you use "however", you're definitely allowed by modern standards, but I'll never believe it's as effective or grammatically sound. 99.8% efficiency isn't 100%, but that's personal preference I guess. 

I've read the Grammar Girl and a number of other arguments on the same subject. You will never convince me otherwise, but that's because our focuses are in different places. In the way you use "however", you're definitely allowed by modern standards, but I'll never believe it's as effective or grammatically sound. 99.8% efficiency isn't 100%, but that's personal preference I guess. 

Fine by me.  You can believe the letter e is offensive for all I care.  I didnt lose any points so I'm not too worried about, but I'd have to challenge you to a duel to the death had this meant a loss of a point! 

Yeah, I'd never penalize you for something like that, especially since I think my view is pretty much out of favour. Also, your spot was just written so darn nicely! 

So ... no one actually wants to run with the Robotic Free Agency idea hey?  I think it has some real merit to it.

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