Since the very beginning, spiritualist has been the ethos with what I feel has the weakest theme and concept. Given the range of belief systems on Earth... it's so odd to see that all are condensed into one ethos where two alien civilisations from completely different parts of the galaxy like each other more for being spiritualist. Many religious systems could well not clash with 'materialism' as it is in Stellaris- the cult of the Machine God is a fictional example that takes it to the extreme.
In 1.5 materialist seems to have knuckled down on being the 'robot ethos' with direct bonuses in that area. Beforehand it was always the ethos for scientists and creating a strongly defined system for doing things, as well as elements of disregarding emotion. I think I see the direct bonus to robots as implying that materialists are just about robots- but before that I could see the theme as desiring a scientifically shaped and regulated society in the vein of the technocrats and radical city planners of the early 20th century, or being the ethos for mastering genetic engineering, etc
I was thinking about ways the variety underlying these ideas could be implemented and I just see something like the civic system being a great fit for establishing a unique character for your empire's religion or form of materialism. More so with the former- traits from the level of organisation to a focus on quiet contemplation or active proselytisation. And this system could tie in well to having religion by pop, religion spreading between empires, and interesting politics and dynamics resulting, differing rights per religion, etc... and the ability for new religious leaders to come along and in times of crisis reshape the religion. For materialists, a simple choice of what focus could be cool. Interested in robotics, genetic engineering, or constructing a scientifically planned society? You can get bonuses for different approaches, and don't feel led into one playstyle.
This would be a major addition so that has its own concerns, but I'd just like to throw it out for interest's sake
In 1.5 materialist seems to have knuckled down on being the 'robot ethos' with direct bonuses in that area. Beforehand it was always the ethos for scientists and creating a strongly defined system for doing things, as well as elements of disregarding emotion. I think I see the direct bonus to robots as implying that materialists are just about robots- but before that I could see the theme as desiring a scientifically shaped and regulated society in the vein of the technocrats and radical city planners of the early 20th century, or being the ethos for mastering genetic engineering, etc
I was thinking about ways the variety underlying these ideas could be implemented and I just see something like the civic system being a great fit for establishing a unique character for your empire's religion or form of materialism. More so with the former- traits from the level of organisation to a focus on quiet contemplation or active proselytisation. And this system could tie in well to having religion by pop, religion spreading between empires, and interesting politics and dynamics resulting, differing rights per religion, etc... and the ability for new religious leaders to come along and in times of crisis reshape the religion. For materialists, a simple choice of what focus could be cool. Interested in robotics, genetic engineering, or constructing a scientifically planned society? You can get bonuses for different approaches, and don't feel led into one playstyle.
This would be a major addition so that has its own concerns, but I'd just like to throw it out for interest's sake