[GBM] In Praise of Folly
Day 2,556, 15:45
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Published in USA 
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by
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by Paul Proteus
Yet again, semi-serious fare. I don't know what's gotten into me
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As always, Mood Musik
In Praise of Folly
Given what we know, the political atmosphere, right now especially, should be a lot more fun. Oblige vs unnamed Pfeiffer-supported candidate squaring off in a manichean battle to the death over the fate of the eUS. This should be one of those defining moments in eRepublik history, to be recounted in a rocking chair by the fireplace to eager grandchildren who want to know who we voted for during the big election alongside fond memories of some unnamed war.
Potential USWP Candidate for President and definitely not Pfeiffer in shades.
...Okay, let's be honest, I really just like this image
And yet, it's lacking.
Rather than a clash of titans, this election cycle feels at worst, predetermined. There is nothing exciting or unexpected, and the result feels as unimportant as the campaign that will bring us there. The fact that it's the 19th and the details of the election are all but decided is in itself telling. It has been far too long since there has been an election that has both mattered, and been wildly unpredictable.
The 5th used to be a more exciting time. I remember staying up all night watching Blank Keating edge out Technician. Elections used to be filled with that tense uncertainty, largely lost today. Part of this has been the fact that the game is dying, and part of that is the legacy of Unity and the existential threat of the PTO, but I tend to think the culprit is more simple.
It's reflected in candidate's campaigns, and in the national debate as well, there is no space left for the unexpected in elections anymore.
So let me take some space here to make a simple plea,
Unnamed Aforementioned Candidate, Oblige, please, infuse your campaign with something real. Make a big deal out of this, do something unexpected. Honestly, I very much enjoyed the All-Father bit. I'm aware not every election will be close, nor should they be. That's not how elections work. Still, this is a game, rile up the people for once and don't just run your campaigns on who you plan to beat. Forcibly extract some semblance of excitement and dare I say, fun, out of this dying game. If you guys can't I don't know who can.
And to everyone else, rather than lining up to write your endorsements of your good personal friend insert name here, make this election exciting. It may have already been decided by mutual consensus or in a back room in Tijuana depending on how you see things, but that doesn't mean it's not taking place in the same game that you're playing. Run for President in your party's primary and lose. Write about something that you care about and force the candidates to address it. Just do something, make a difference somehow. Engage. Everyone can.
I looked silly once and it ruined my life. Just Say No
I guess what I'm really saying, is that I want to believe that this election will look different in a few weeks, when everyone has declared and is in full vote-for-me fever than it does on the 19th, a full week before Congressional elections, but I'm afraid it won't.
Please, everyone involve
And on to my next point,
In Praise of Action
Reflecting on the lack of engagement in the game, I'm reminded of an article I enjoyed recently, Aramec's 649.
The essential thesis, that the game is dying, that the country is afraid to take chances and allow even an ounce of fun to permeate the game, is spot on. Though particularly well written, this kind of article isn't unique. The decline in interest in a game asREDACTED well run as eRepublik is not a new issue, in fact it's plagued the community for years, and has been especially worrying in previous months. The question is what is to be done.
I'd like to expand on the solution.
The frequent theory is that fresh faces aren't allowed to run for President. Our current President, completing term #7, lends some credence to this line of thought.
CP Medals out the blowhole
The counter argument of course is that whenever a "fresh" candidate does run, he is woefully inexperienced, and whenever he wins, he does a poor job.
To be perfectly honest, I'm willing to accept that both these arguments are true.
Last month's election serves as an easy example of what I'm talking about. Reactions were notably mixed.
Unsurprisingly Oblige won. Of course he did, he has connections, and in all honesty, at least on paper, was simply a better candidate.
I'm not saying that in itself is a problem, however, the opposite conclusion implying that the only disconnect in the system is that newer players have the nerve to run against veteran hand picked candidates, is of course, equally absurd.
Solutions are so difficult to come by because we've run ourselves into a cyclical conundrum. The only candidates capable of running the country have done so time and time again. Very few challengers have the necessary experience as SecState, SecDef, NSC Chair, CoS or any of the other positions that used to be considered the stepping stone to President. This isn't because these challengers aren't talented people with the potential to lead, it's because very few newer players are ever appointed to any of the positions needed to get real experience in national government.
So we meet again my notorious Egg-nemy
It's sad to think that the talent pool is so dire that in the last 4 months, only 8 players have held what are arguably the four most important roles (see above) in the US cabinet, 4 of them former Presidents, and very few of them new faces 1. Perhaps that truly is the case, but even if it is, it's something we should work harder to combat.
Now these have all been very strong cabinets in their own right. And there's nothing inherently wrong about giving the most qualified person the job. There is, however, an issue when so few newer players are entrusted with positions of power, when the turnover rate is so low. I get it, WildOwl is the best SecState we have, DMJ is an incredible SecDef. They can do the job better than anyone, maybe nobody else is even qualified for the job.
That's exactly the problem though, in spite of there currently being more Deputies in government than there are rats in New York, I highly doubt many of the newer players on that list have PDB access, or are being trained in any meaningful way to take over their respective boss's positions in the future.
Deputy Secretary of the Rodent Orchestra reporting for duty
No one individually is at fault here, but until we start to meaningfully train our newer players, and allow them to perform in high level cabinet positions, we are never going to have a new generation of leaders and we are never going to have a decent challenger to, at the very least, keep elections interesting.
And, yes, I'm aware there are exceptions, and a few really great candidates who have yet to run for President: Personally I'm already buying my Derphoof bumper stickers. And yes, I'm aware that it's risky to give high level positions to players who aren't as competent yet, however, it's a greater risk normalizing Presidential contenders with such minimal experience in these roles. And no, Secretary of Media is not a high level cabinet post.
So here goes another plea, candidates, when you publish your cabinets, don't simply aim for strong and satisfactory. Don't make them weak either, but at least make them interesting; take a chance on one real position, make your cabinet an actual reason to vote for you. It may not really change whether you win or lose, but at the very least, it just might help the eUS just a little, and for what little it's worth: you'll win my respect.
Nothing here is particularly revolutionary, still, I have a feeling, now especially, that it doesn't hurt to reiterate.
Here's your moment of zen
It should not be snowing, it's Fall dammit
Also, Gnilrap's recent articles, in addition to probably earning him more USD than I have, are definitely worth checking out. The top 5 may not reflect it, but Media has been improving as of late, kudos guys.
Until next time,
Paul Proteus
As always, Mood Musik
In Praise of Folly
Given what we know, the political atmosphere, right now especially, should be a lot more fun. Oblige vs unnamed Pfeiffer-supported candidate squaring off in a manichean battle to the death over the fate of the eUS. This should be one of those defining moments in eRepublik history, to be recounted in a rocking chair by the fireplace to eager grandchildren who want to know who we voted for during the big election alongside fond memories of some unnamed war.
Potential USWP Candidate for President and definitely not Pfeiffer in shades.
...Okay, let's be honest, I really just like this image
And yet, it's lacking.
Rather than a clash of titans, this election cycle feels at worst, predetermined. There is nothing exciting or unexpected, and the result feels as unimportant as the campaign that will bring us there. The fact that it's the 19th and the details of the election are all but decided is in itself telling. It has been far too long since there has been an election that has both mattered, and been wildly unpredictable.
The 5th used to be a more exciting time. I remember staying up all night watching Blank Keating edge out Technician. Elections used to be filled with that tense uncertainty, largely lost today. Part of this has been the fact that the game is dying, and part of that is the legacy of Unity and the existential threat of the PTO, but I tend to think the culprit is more simple.
It's reflected in candidate's campaigns, and in the national debate as well, there is no space left for the unexpected in elections anymore.
So let me take some space here to make a simple plea,
Unnamed Aforementioned Candidate, Oblige, please, infuse your campaign with something real. Make a big deal out of this, do something unexpected. Honestly, I very much enjoyed the All-Father bit. I'm aware not every election will be close, nor should they be. That's not how elections work. Still, this is a game, rile up the people for once and don't just run your campaigns on who you plan to beat. Forcibly extract some semblance of excitement and dare I say, fun, out of this dying game. If you guys can't I don't know who can.
And to everyone else, rather than lining up to write your endorsements of your good personal friend insert name here, make this election exciting. It may have already been decided by mutual consensus or in a back room in Tijuana depending on how you see things, but that doesn't mean it's not taking place in the same game that you're playing. Run for President in your party's primary and lose. Write about something that you care about and force the candidates to address it. Just do something, make a difference somehow. Engage. Everyone can.
I looked silly once and it ruined my life. Just Say No
I guess what I'm really saying, is that I want to believe that this election will look different in a few weeks, when everyone has declared and is in full vote-for-me fever than it does on the 19th, a full week before Congressional elections, but I'm afraid it won't.
Please, everyone involve
😛Prove me wrong.
And on to my next point,
In Praise of Action
Reflecting on the lack of engagement in the game, I'm reminded of an article I enjoyed recently, Aramec's 649.
The essential thesis, that the game is dying, that the country is afraid to take chances and allow even an ounce of fun to permeate the game, is spot on. Though particularly well written, this kind of article isn't unique. The decline in interest in a game as
I'd like to expand on the solution.
The frequent theory is that fresh faces aren't allowed to run for President. Our current President, completing term #7, lends some credence to this line of thought.
CP Medals out the blowhole
The counter argument of course is that whenever a "fresh" candidate does run, he is woefully inexperienced, and whenever he wins, he does a poor job.
To be perfectly honest, I'm willing to accept that both these arguments are true.
Last month's election serves as an easy example of what I'm talking about. Reactions were notably mixed.
Unsurprisingly Oblige won. Of course he did, he has connections, and in all honesty, at least on paper, was simply a better candidate.
I'm not saying that in itself is a problem, however, the opposite conclusion implying that the only disconnect in the system is that newer players have the nerve to run against veteran hand picked candidates, is of course, equally absurd.
Solutions are so difficult to come by because we've run ourselves into a cyclical conundrum. The only candidates capable of running the country have done so time and time again. Very few challengers have the necessary experience as SecState, SecDef, NSC Chair, CoS or any of the other positions that used to be considered the stepping stone to President. This isn't because these challengers aren't talented people with the potential to lead, it's because very few newer players are ever appointed to any of the positions needed to get real experience in national government.
So we meet again my notorious Egg-nemy
It's sad to think that the talent pool is so dire that in the last 4 months, only 8 players have held what are arguably the four most important roles (see above) in the US cabinet, 4 of them former Presidents, and very few of them new faces 1. Perhaps that truly is the case, but even if it is, it's something we should work harder to combat.
Now these have all been very strong cabinets in their own right. And there's nothing inherently wrong about giving the most qualified person the job. There is, however, an issue when so few newer players are entrusted with positions of power, when the turnover rate is so low. I get it, WildOwl is the best SecState we have, DMJ is an incredible SecDef. They can do the job better than anyone, maybe nobody else is even qualified for the job.
That's exactly the problem though, in spite of there currently being more Deputies in government than there are rats in New York, I highly doubt many of the newer players on that list have PDB access, or are being trained in any meaningful way to take over their respective boss's positions in the future.
Deputy Secretary of the Rodent Orchestra reporting for duty
No one individually is at fault here, but until we start to meaningfully train our newer players, and allow them to perform in high level cabinet positions, we are never going to have a new generation of leaders and we are never going to have a decent challenger to, at the very least, keep elections interesting.
And, yes, I'm aware there are exceptions, and a few really great candidates who have yet to run for President: Personally I'm already buying my Derphoof bumper stickers. And yes, I'm aware that it's risky to give high level positions to players who aren't as competent yet, however, it's a greater risk normalizing Presidential contenders with such minimal experience in these roles. And no, Secretary of Media is not a high level cabinet post.
So here goes another plea, candidates, when you publish your cabinets, don't simply aim for strong and satisfactory. Don't make them weak either, but at least make them interesting; take a chance on one real position, make your cabinet an actual reason to vote for you. It may not really change whether you win or lose, but at the very least, it just might help the eUS just a little, and for what little it's worth: you'll win my respect.
Nothing here is particularly revolutionary, still, I have a feeling, now especially, that it doesn't hurt to reiterate.
Here's your moment of zen
It should not be snowing, it's Fall dammit
Also, Gnilrap's recent articles, in addition to probably earning him more USD than I have, are definitely worth checking out. The top 5 may not reflect it, but Media has been improving as of late, kudos guys.
Until next time,
Paul Proteus
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Comments
TIL manichean is a word.
+1 for using the term manichean.
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Derphoof R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!
(;,,😉
Exactly.
Blank's election was a bit of an aberration, and nearly gave me a heart attack.
An excellent article with good points, so it'll probably fall on deaf ears... blind eyes? Whichever. Keep on trying, though! Eventually someone will listen 😃
I write for myself 😁
Fair enough! Either way, excellent article. I hope to see more in this vein than in the sea lion thing vein 😛
v
As much as ya'all hate to admit it.... you needed me as your arch-nemesis.... Who thinks the eUS is more fun today than it is now? It's boring and predictable.. and gives people no incentive to stay interested.
The way the mechanics are rigged it's impossible to reboot what happened before.
Not at all, I'm sure you like that narrative but it's ultimately hollow. The existential threat of PTO is what necessitated Unity and is what stifled and killed competition between platforms and ideals. No matter what light you try to cast yourself in, you have done this game no favors.
The cutoff for the Top 5 is 130 members. At one time AAP had over 2000 members....
You and your ilk have done this "game" no favors.... just dragged activity down.
+1 for mentioning Gnilraps
+1 for "DMJ is an incredible SecDef"