Join the new world

“It is simply this: do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent — lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die. It's as simple as that.” ~Tove Jansson



I can't help but see the link between Tove's position and the state we find ourselves in here in Canada. We need this invaluable curiosity to push through this game. We can't settle for the status quo simply because it's possible to survive that way. We can do better than survive. We should not turn to vote buying simply because "two can play at that game." Yes, we can all turn to buying votes - but that does not make it acceptable or good for the country. We can also turn to trolling and degrading all newcomers - it will secure our base of power and keep the opposition out - but that will not bring in the new blood that our community desperately needs.

The thrust of a campaign depends upon a tireless drive to present ideas that are meaningful and achievable. Francois, Octavian, and Connor all have the ability to offer this. In fact, they make me happier to campaign and to race, because I know that having so many candidates to choose from means that Canada will face legitimate democracy and be in a position to choose the candidate they know is best, not simply the one that their party dictates they support. I want to see these 3 Canadians keep up their election efforts. Stopping short and abandonning the campaign does a disservice to what each of us wants: a better country. It's not just about losing our own shot at the chair. It's about losing an accountable debate, with open discussion and scaffolded ideas that bounce between enthusiastic minds.

Lots can still be said, and lots must still be said, for Canada to get what it truly deserves on election day.



There's been a lot of talk about eRep's newest change: the True Patriot Medal. If you haven't checked it out, here's the skinny: earn 5 Gold and a medal every time you lay down a certain amount of damage for Canada. It starts out at a modest 100,000, then rises higher each time you win a medal. There's just one problem: it has to be a direct battle for Canada, not an ally's fight. And as you well know, we don't really border many countries we can fight with.

So what's a Canuck to do?

Get those gears moving. And communicate what's going on. If there are talks in the way to get Canadians a shot at some of those medals without risking a ONE flood (which would be bad), then let us know. And if it's just not in the cards right now, let us know that too. It's not top secret - ONE isn't stupid and they can certainly watch what we do on the World Map.

And should we move for the TP Medal? Yes. We should strive for this the same way we strive for other ways to improve our gameplay. We go after region bonuses because we want to be able to compete and contribute, not because Plato asks us to. And just like region bonuses, we should go after the TP Medal when it is prudent to do so. Jumping into any war - even one safe from ONE - is incredibly stupid if it isn't done in consult with our allies. A number of Canadians have sent me suggestions about how we might pick up TP Medals and more resources at the same time. They're ambitious goals, and they all hinge on that foundation we should be building and maintaining each month. The work shouldn't have to start over every time a new CP steps in. There should be a commitment to helping the next guy in line, and to making sure they're prepared for the current climate.

Unless a party nominates Trent this week, he'll be passing off the country to another player - many of whom aren't in government right now. Whatever progress Trent makes toward the TP Medal, we can best avoid a wipe if he communicates that to Canada and his successor. And so his successor should do to the CP that follows afterwards. Strive to better the country, not yourself - make your personal agenda a public effort.



Mechanethics - an ethical approach to game mechanics - offers us the practical advantages we can succeed with without breaching ethical boundaries that hurt more than help us. Vote-buying breaches mechanethics, and hurts us in the long run. The mechanically possible must be measured against the ethically laudable: Britain's betrayal in 2009 was mechanically legitimate, but breached ethics and cost them in the long run. Don't make the same mistakes Britain does - you get wiped for it.

Take eCanada's "roleplay" items up for discussion: Referendums and the Supreme Court. Neither exists in mechanics, but both have shown the potential for useful, ethical activity. A President who uses referendums can accurately test public opinion whether we have a law in place or not - it's just a formal "what do you think." And, in the past, the Supreme Court was able to support the activity and creativity that contributed to a strong community. It's lost that. While referendums still carry mechanetical possibilities, the Supreme Court has lost its luster.

There's more to this than simply "abolishing the court" or arbitrarily replacing it. It goes back to the foundation we need and the ideas behind that foundation. It stems from invaluable curiosity and a drive to do well, and to work well with others. We need a country where Canadians understand that they can be the driving force of good, and that they don't need Congress or a President to tell them who is naughty and who is nice.

The next chapter of Canada's history should be constructive. We should work to build a good house that we can all be proud of. We don't need to hide away in the archives of the world trying to shine up old pennies. Let's usher in a community, and stack our pennies around that. Some of those pennies will be old, some of them will be new. But however old the penny, it needs to represent what a new Politics of Honesty can bring to Canada, and honour the integrity and collaboration we deserve. Nothing less is worth settling for.




May 5th: Sperry for CP, Eric Last for VP.
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.