Welcome helixer
Day 3,185, 16:29
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Published in Australia 
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by
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by Thedillpickl
Hi Kids!
Today is a minor triumph in my eLife. I've done lots of crazy crap in eRep, spent way too many late nights and money, sometimes on the same event! This is easy to justify when you consider just how much I've affected the game and how important my contribution here has been. I mean take a look at my profile! The medals! The awards! The stats! The Romanian babies I have put through college!
^sarcasm
Seriously, I have done stuff that most players don't because of expense or time. No problem with that. I applaud the ones that “played 4 years and never spent a dime". I play to have fun and hope that you do too. Never play to stroke your own ego! Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will. I've seen many megalomaniac burn out and quit in a rage.
Anyhoo…
About the triumph.
A classic British motorbike to be sure.
I'm speaking of my return to media.
Writing and the reader's response is the why I kept playing in the beginning. Here's an example, my interview of another relatively new player Shaun Carter, from 5 ½ years ago. He was my first boss in eRep and taught me much about the econ. We shared several discussions that had nothing to do with the game. When I founded the original Pickle's Patriots Shaun was on of the first to join.
Now, about that interview…
An Interview With helixer
Hello old friend.
Why hello there mate!
I wonder if anyone followed the link to that old interview and discovered that Shaun has transformed into helixer!
Shhhh!!! One of the terms of my witness protection program deal was that my former identity could not be revealed. Oh well, I'm not sure anyone would remember that far back anyway. Have I really been here six years already?
Yeah, six. Now back to the present day. Please tell us who the man behind the keyboard is.
I'm a not-so-secret government agent helping people, politicians and governments navigate the world of U.S. labor statistics and economics. I'm also an avid investor, writer and political aficionado.
How does your background in economics / business translate into a browser game.
I've witnessed many instances of completely irrational economic behavior in eRep over the years. While eRep economics certainly does not align with expected RL behavior, it has become somewhat predictable. Due to the nature of pseudo-currency in the game world, people's economic decisions are sometimes driven more by non-profit maximizing behavior than what is observed in RL. This didn't use to be the case in eRep as I remember the earliest iterations of the game had an econ module that could be very profitable to those willing to manage their organizations proactively. Back in the day you were one of my best employees!
You kept paying me! A little birdie mentioned that you'll be taking an active role on the Minister of Finance team this term. You've just landed on our shores, how does that appointment set with you? Any concerns?
My only concern is getting caught up with the current financial situation of Australia and the unique objectives and goals that we want to achieve as an e-nation. The newest econ module changes have also been somewhat challenging to master as we are currently in a period of irrational behavior by players paying absurdly unprofitable salaries to produce aircraft raw materials and weapons that are now being flooded into many marketplaces and causing further drops in prices. I look forward to working with Elite C in ensuring Australia's continued financial prosperity.
I can't let this go without mentioning the MU. How is it to be a Pickle again? Any reflections on the old MU’s antics? I know I have fond memories.
I have been a Pickle off and on for years now and I certainly prefer being a Pickle to not being one. If I had to choose what kind of Pickle I am, I'd say I'm a Big Papa pickle, wrapped for safety!
One last thing. What's your impression of Australia so far?
Amazingly snow-free! Also no Zika, so that's a plus! I look forward to getting to know more of you in the near future. Please feel free to shoot me a message saying hi or sharing any ideas about how I can help make Australia better for everyone.
(Just so you know, it's OK to call people “mate”, “bloke”, “sheila” and such. “Vegemite” seems to be a local aphrodisiac, at least for Henry, but that's for another interview. WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T MENTION “PUT ANOTHER SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE”! It marks you as a tourist and they will snicker behind your back, “He doesn't know Christmas from Bourke Street, that one.”.)
Until Next Time
I do hope everyone enjoyed meeting helixer. It's a gas having him with us again. Thanks buddy!
If anyone's game I'd love to do a whole series of interviews. But you say “We all know each other!”. Do you now? Really?
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2 articles in 2 days.... getting worried about you Dil :/
So I followed a link to your old article. Top of the page, "papers I like: Republican Rant". Hmm...always thought Dill might be a closet Trump man....
Let's scroll before we waste time reading. Oh, a picture of a toilet. 😕 (Must be a shitty rag...)
I didn't read it, in the end. But I'll post here for anyone who was weighing their options. Odds are it's dangerous!
I used to really enjoy the newspapers in erep. There were articles written that could have been published in real life papers.
Back then I would have discribed myself as a conservative Republican that believed in fair play and socially proactive. Not pushing welfare but making sure that people didn't fall through the net. Today I would be closer to a Constitutional fundamentalist that believes government belongs to the people, not the other way around. I still believe the more you do the more compensation you deserve but that must be regulated by moral principles. In other words, work hard get paid better but not because you screw people better.
FWIW, I don't trust Trump but Hillary is no, simply no.
Trump is actually stupid though, she might not be trustworthy either but at least she's capable, he's just an idiot
Don't want to start a huge debate but I think the US will suffer whoever wins.
Trump is erratic, however if he does what I believe he'll do it will go back to a bit of normal (leaning toward favoritism of his rich buddies). Rekindling relationships with traditional allies. He would stop covert funding of terrorist groups. Putting national security above political correctness. Killing off the biggest social failure of our history, Obama care would be replaced with a national health care that actually works. There is a reason 1/3 of US citizens have no health care whatsoever. Those that do can't afford to use it as the deductible and copay. I'll stop there.
Hillary has proven to be responsible only to her agenda. Planned parenthood, gun control, oppression of any idea she doesn't agree with, subjugation of religious organizations, specifically, but not limited to, Christians, social programs that encumber more than liberate. I still remember her brilliant idea she spewed when running for Senator of State of New York. She was going to outlaw autos more than 4 years old because they pollute. My first thought was "When you pickin' me up to go to work bitch?". Some of us don't have 6 figure jobs.
Everyone has an opinion. Hillary has proven to be a liar and manipulator. Trump is likely to be the same. I'm considering replacing my flag in front of the house. The Gadsden flag is supposed to be racist. Don't tread on me! 🙂
http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Gadsden-flag-9128843.php
Wow, it seems you have taken the Republican bait and lies to heart 🙁
That is where you are wrong my friend. Republicans are just as big of liars an just as deceitful. What you don't realize is that the end game is the same, fascist / socialist stste. Government of the government, by the government, for the government.
Unfortunately your idea of "utopia" doesn't exist, trickle down economics has never worked for the masses, when companies get tax breaks or higher profits it NEVER follows through to the workers, socialism is not what Americans think it is either, it's about social justice and fairness not handouts.
As for your "ObamaCare", it's a frick'n blessing you guys now have that, it allows people that could never afford a doctor to actually see one, I met a Yank here that was from Florida and told me a story of when he drove a drill-bit through his hand, went to doctor, doctor said can't really do anything except put some cream and a bandage, he accepts and goes home, then gets bill in the mail for $4000 for health care charge .......
Healthcare should always be for everybody and not just the rich, as Bernie said, It's a humans right to be taken care of without financial burden 😉
As for gun laws you need only look at Australia, yes we banned uzi's and assault rifles, but guess what, you can still own guns here, pistols, shotguns, rifles etc.
It's about being sensible and not stubborn because of a few scary lies that are told by right wing extremists 😉
It's the poor that are the many, only the rich are the few, and rich people are rich because they don't share .... this is why we can't have nice things 😃
Fun Fact; The top 63 humans on this planet have more wealth than the bottom 4 BILLION (with a 😎 ..... Convince me that's fair and I will take your side, but pure logic dictates otherwise.
I love these talks 😛
Henry, shut up.
I never said anything about trickle down economics, you just threw that in to argue. It was a stupid plan to start with.
About the Affordable Care Act. I have not been able to afford proper health care for freaking years! If you want to get me started you have done it. I have multiple problems including high blood pressure, water retention, and a staff infection that surfaces as a carbuncle (self diagnosed as no doctor has seen it). Last time I actually saw a doctor was over 5 years ago, cost $200 just to get my blood pressure pills. I have teeth rotting out of my head. Now Obama promising free or reasonable health care!
After the subsidy it varies but has been between $50 - $375 per month for the least expensive plan in the cafeteria. This gets me one free physical per year. To receive medical care I first must pay $3,000 - $4,500 deductible up front and then the insurance pays 60%. I don't make enough to afford the doctor. But I make too much to get the free ride. Been that way for years but now Obama charges me a fine because I don't have insurance.
I ain't even going to read the rest of your liberal manifesto. Bottom line is government of the people, by the people, for the people or die trying. So piss off.
@everyone else,
Medical care in the US is hot topic for me. I have seen friends die because they can't make it to 62 so they could at least get medicare which some facilities will take as full payment. It is freaking redeculos the the US sends billions covertly to support terrorist, trying to appease them and we have homeless living in tent cities who previously were considered lower middle class (rich by world standards) who lost everything because of one medical bill.
People like Henry would have you believe that redistribution of wealth would solve the problem. That has been tried many times before. The money always seems to get back till rich greedy people. In my country the government subsidizes slavery. Companies like Wal Mart pay just below what it takes to live. No benefits, no chance to better ones self. Government steps in to provide housing assistance, food allowance, pay utilities and health care for children if you don't abort the child. That way there is a constant supply of workers for rich corporate entities to labor at menial jobs while executives receive 6 and 7 figure salaries. These people are the friends of Hillary and Donald alike. Bankers, lawers, insurance and administrator control our govrrnment. They are slowly tearing down the constitution we were founded upon.
Anyhow, sorry I went off. Outsiders will think what they want. Look beyond the rhetoric if you want the truth. Most here don't see the truth either.
For the record I'd love for the US to adopt Canadian or French health plan. Not familiar but others might be as good. Until we get rid of greed and replace with decency and morals there will be no equality.
We have free health care here, costs nothing to go to the doctor, that's where Obamacare is supposed to be headed, but the republican side won't allow that so it has settled sub par, but it is on the right track 😉
The rest of my statements weren't about healthcare, so would love some more feedback 😉
Just because I smear vegemite on my penis doesn't make me a pervert ....
And no Aussies actually drink "Fosters" ....
And for anyone that wants to pronounce "Aussies" it's like this;
Aussies = Ozzies, (like saying Ozzy Ozbourne)
Aussies does not sound like = Aww-seas
😛
Oh my! Now it is perfectly clear!
HENRY THE 8TH IS OZZY!
http://youtu.be/b4gxKFAhfZc
Henry, I now hate you. I use to love vegemite, I still remember eating straight from the tube in our rat packs, getting a spoonful out of the jar, even drinking it.
But now when I see it, I will be thinking of your first line and an image of you and a jar of vegemite aka American Pie style 😠
From now on I will only use Promite.
Fingers aren't long enough to get to the bottom of the jar though, how else am I supposed to get it all out? ....