Diplomacy always beats politicking in a game where might makes right. Lots of folks are willing to help new players who aren't trying to strong arm them to change. I'll weigh in again because you asked and say something I've already said. You should try to steelman some of your strawman arguments. Even if you view it as your strongest form of propaganda, it makes you appear wrong on a variety of levels to most people because you're often arguing fallacies.