Join the new world

After a brief break to announce my candidacy for congress in Florida…hint hint Floridians readers. Is’s time to return to the central focus of my recent articles, that being re-unifying America with a spirit of common purpose and encouraging others to be contributors regardless of their eRepublik age.

Beta-giants

In a game that has so generously contributed to my RL vernacular (yes I talk to my friends and family about MPPs and RMUs, I will seek professional help), I guess I should not have been surprised that the term “beta-giants” would have entered the lexicon. However, having stated that I believe that, it is important that I clarify for all of my readers that it was not my intent to offer the term as derogatory or an epithet, the term I coined is related to the idea of being a “giant” in a given field of study, and was meant to be respectful of their contributions as well as in-game influence. Plus it was more catchy than saying “players that started before v1”.

The same can be said of the term “boomers” which refers to those that entered the game during the population explosion following the marketing by eRepublik following the release of v1. Plus it was more catchy than saying “players that started after v1”.

Podcast

Last night I had the privilege of listening to the podcast recorded and published by Justinious, NoneSuch, and PrincessMedyPi. If you have not listened to it, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

First off, my in-game name is Ananias and, as you can read in the title, it is pronounced “ann-uh-nye-us”. I have found throughout my eLife that the name is challenging to some, I hope that puts the pronunciation question to rest. I also wanted to mention that “Ananias” is not my RL name.

Secondly, as it relates to the podcast, I am in agreement with many of the views provided. One of the views that was particularly relevant was, to paraphrase Justinious, “Many of the things that the new citizens are trying have been tried before and did not work”. I think that fully encapsulates my admonition to the “boomers” regarding the “beta-giants” advice; without their guidance and experience many of our ideas, which may appear great or innovative, may hurt the nation; both by furthering “class” division and by evidencing an ignorance of game mechanics and eRepublik history. I guarantee you that I have contributed my fair share of misguided ideas that I thought were enormously beneficial, only to find that they did, indeed, function only in theory but not application.

To overcome that predisposition we all sometimes share to act before learning, I would encourage everyone, that has not done so already, to review the following articles which I consider to be both foundational to your knowledge of the game and paramount to your success in the game:

Taxation Economics

War Tactics

eUS History

Additionally, in relationship to the podcast, I would like to restate my gratitude for both a mention of an article that was originally just a musing on why I, personally, felt isolated from many of the players in eRepublik and the frank discussion over the merits of identifying the barrier.

The USWP

Just like many of you, when I started out, I just two-clicked my way through eLife not really getting to know anyone that well or really understanding the purpose of the game (those were in the good, or not so good, old days when the pinnacle of excitement for a newbie like me was getting 5 out of 5 on the old trivia system). After I had gained enough experience to join a party, I reviewed them all and determined that the USWP most closely resembled my RL perspective, though I must admit AAP and UCP (now UIP) were strong candidates. I joined and returned to two-clicking, figuring that was all there was. Then about mid-December a player that, for better or worse, changed my level of engagement forever, GoBucks, approached me to run for congress. I was astounded to find that there was something more to do in eRepublik for a nobody like me, and, in addition, to have someone actually approach me for such a lofty task was very motivating.

But there was a catch.

First I had to go to the USWP Forum and then the old eUSA Forum and actually register.

Formidable, I know…but it, once again, changed my eLife in that the previously mundane outline of a game that I was playing became this great canvas, and the USWP had given me the full 64 color box of crayons to go to town on it. Instead of just being another player profile number, I became a full-fledged contributor in an intense political and economics simulation. What’s more, when I started becoming more active on both forums, I found that, whereas certain individuals that had been around for awhile generally treated me like trash for my activities, the USWP treated me like an equal and a friend which encouraged me to contribute more and invest more of my time.

The USWP treated me like a member rather than a number, I genuinely appreciate the leadership and they appear to appreciate my contributions. I feel like an equal there and that has value to me. While on the discussion boards I tend to be much more formal in my communications, on the USWP boards I trust that I can relax and vent when I need to without Emerick, or others, telling me that I am less than a full-fledged member of eRepublik because of my eLife age.

So, to me (and I appreciate everyone having different experiences), the USWP is my social network and political home. And while I have many negatives, one positive is that I am doggedly (see profile picture) loyal to those that have acknowledged me as a friend. For me it is not just political grandstanding, when someone makes generalized accusations or stereotypes about the USWP they are talking about those that I consider friends, and I usually respond in kind.

With that being said, I am also certain that many individuals have experienced the same with many different political parties, whether they be Conservatives, United Independents, Libertarian, et al. For all the polarization they are sometimes accused of, the reality is that they may serve, if willing, as the greatest agents of unity and inclusion that eRepublik has to offer.

How?

By simply continuing to reach out to new members and non-engaged members and encouraging them that each and every one of us can contribute to the progress and improvements that continue to make the eUnited States of America the cultural and social envy of all other nations.

So, do I tell people that USWP is the only option? No. Do I encourage others, especially new players, to connect to the USWP? Absolutely. Because I want everyone to experience the real depth of the game, and, for me, that was only after I got connected with the USWP.

They asked, I responded, we benefitted. If not USWP, then, as soon as you are capable, connect with a political party...I guarantee eRepublik will take on an entirely new hue.

Thanks for reading, I appreciate your time.