The Paradox of Choice

Day 2,094, 02:02 • Published in Ireland Canada • by Sword Stalker

"Autonomy and Freedom of choice are critical to our well being, and choice is critical to freedom and autonomy. Nonetheless, though modern Americans have more choice than any group of people ever has before, and thus, presumably, more freedom and autonomy, we don't seem to be benefiting from it psychologically."
—quoted from Ch.5, The Paradox of Choice, 2004

Compare two identical children with one difference
The First lives in a home where food is plentiful and has never known an empty belly.
The Other lives in a home where food is scarce and constantly knows an empty belly.

You bring these two children together and attempt to feed them.
You present them both with plates holding Boiled Ham,Brussel sprouts,boiled potatoes and broccoli. If ,like me you are no Michelin Star Chef, then the food touches and is not too aesthetically pleasing.

You leave the room and return 10 minutes later.

The First child arm's are folded,the facial expression is one of disgust. Their plate has not been touched. They then proceed to inform you that "Unfortunately you didn't cook the potatoes right, they don't like Brussel sprouts and they are touching the Broccoli hence contaminating them as well. OH! Also, the Ham has too much fat on it and you will have to cut that off before they even consider eating it"



The Other child's plate is empty. They thank you for that meal and praise your cooking skills. As you begin to take the plates away, this child attempts negotiation with the First to eat their plate. The First agrees, smirking at this poor unfortunate who will now eat that disgusting plate of touching food.



Let's analyse this.
The First child knows that if it does not eat your plate of food, it has the option to chose another once it returns home or it can purchase a meal in a local fast food chain or even some food from a market. It's options are unlimited.

The Other however has no such options, if it does not eat now then it is unsure of when it will eat next. It has only one option.It is given only one. Eat and Eat now.

Here is where I bring it back to eRepublik.
Compare these two children to two groups.

The First is a group that has many options, it can be left, centered or right.
And even then it has further options. Left-Center,Right Center.
It can be Socialist,Anarchist,Fascist or Capitalist.
It can chose between Asgard,TWO,CoT or Eden.
It pushes and shoves changing it's choice every month or two.
It picks one option one month and then swings in the opposite direction the following.

After all of this, it still does not eat, it believes it can eat later.

The Other group however still has no option.
Eat now or do not.

Your Name is Plato.

You have served the eIrish your plate.Their previously over-fed bellies scream and shriek for food. They have become the Other for the first time in years.
It is on this day and this day alone that eIreland shows her true worth, her absolute beauty even her close "perfection". Finishing in 4th place amongst 70 countries some double or triple our size shows our value as a nation of Warriors. Since Time Unknown punching far above our belts from our beloved position of UnderDog

I want you all to remember this.
The Time when We had One clear measurable Goal.
It was not choice of direction that led us here but our only true choice.
Remember this unity and remember our true power, the world has seen it and it is awed.

P.S

Thank you to Mary Robinson,sir adriano prette and the Irish Government for supplying us in our combined effort.
Congratulations to the Top 10!

They deserve a mention!
1st - Roszondras
2nd - Bhane
3rd - BiednyMis
4th - Cry of the Banshee
5th - Rikian1776
6th - Celtic MZ
7th - MikiST
8th - Fredegonde
9th - CaffeineHit
10th - coues

Special congrats to my brothers from the I.M.P
You can't spell PIMP withouth IMP