[ESO] Catching up with....Dr Hugh Jardon!

Day 2,100, 18:12 • Published in United Kingdom United Kingdom • by Elle Roslin
For our inaugural issue I will be featuring a dear personal friend and former ESOer, Dr. Hugh Jardon. First, a catch up!

Hugh currently runs Centrelink, the eAustralian version of the NHS. Due to wanting to help build a legacy with Centrelink Hugh has decided to stay out of political parties for the time being. Similarly, Hugh is also the 2nd Commander of the non-partisan Government MU, The ADF. Hugh claims he got this position “due to positive discrimination towards people with special needs”

Hugh is a busy guy that continues to give a lot of his time to the betterment of the eAustralian community. So here he is, unscripted - I hope you enjoy!

Roz: How did you end up in eAustralia?

Hugh: I had some of those 'real life' issues people keep talking about. Between having kids with autism and a job, I just realised that this was a game. Seriously you wouldn't log onto a console game with the same outlook of going to Bawwww because your side isn't winning. Between losing my father (he didn't run off but passed away) and other issues I decided to quit. Then one night Joshua Whelan (another pretty cool dude) sent me an Invite to come Down Under. I tried it, loved it and the rest is history.



Roz: In your experience, what is the best thing(s) that Erepublik can offer a player from a social or community perspective?

Hugh: Friendship. You really can never have enough friends, each bring something new with them and can enrich your life. Friendships will last longer than this game ever will. The community side to this poor game is fantastic at times, and can also rally around to help those in need. I remember one guy needed help on choosing autism clinics for his child. Others linked him to me, and I helped him get in touch with a fantastic organisation. I also remember when my father died and I received some touching and kind PM's, including one from Alphabethis.

Roz: And conversely, the worst?

Hugh: I don't think you need me to answer that, but I will anyway. There are many personal attacks in the eUK media and a lot of hostility towards certain parties. TUP for example have always been perceived in my eTime as being evil...when I actually spoke to TUP players, I found them open and very genuine. You realise then that there is no agenda and that people are just trying to enjoy the game the same as we all are.

Your party ESO is another, I do sigh when I see you are labeled as being on one side of the fence, a puppet party, etc. When I see ESO, I see a very unbiased and Independent party that values community spirit over scoring cheap political victories.



Roz: What have you done in this game that you are most proud of? Have you done anything that you feel embarrassed of in retrospect?

Hugh: I am very proud of Centrelink, it really has become a force for good again and I really believe it will continue to succeed. I also look back fondly on my time in the RAF Military Unit. When we faced a French invasion of the South West of the eUK, Our little band of brothers dealt the most damage and ended up with 11 BH medals...awesome day that was for a small MU!

I am ashamed to admit I did get caught up in the negativity of the eUK and played a part in it. I began to realise though that it was getting the eUK nowhere...I remember wise words from Talon Karrde (gee this interview is just full of cool dudes!) once. He told me to basically get more involved in Government - then I would have grounds to complain. This is something I would always recommend.



Roz: How would you characterize the eUK political scene? What aspects of the parties you were in did you find the most appealing?

Hugh: Well with New Era it was the underdog sticking it to the man. They were a new party and it was the thought of a 'new era' and fresh approach that appealed to me. For ESO it was the friendly feel, the community spirit and that feeling that your voice mattered. It was also great going into each election not knowing who we would be backing because there were no set sides with ESO. It really just was supporting the best man for the job. It was ESO in my eLifetime that was the first party to run other non top 5 parties for Congress as well...which is something you should be proud of.

The Independent Alliance (R.I.P) was a bold move to make each members voice as equal as the PP. God it took a lot of organising and PM's...probably why it died a rapid death. Sad thing was the community side was very active and very humorous.



Roz: What piece of advice would you give a new player considering joining a party?

Hugh: No, just no. Best advice in all honesty would be to read articles from the current PP, and read article comments to get a feel of what party members and the eUK community thinks of them...you also see what other parties are like by the comments their members make. Go on the forums and do research, but do not commit for the first few weeks because you never really get a feel for a party or the game until then.

Roz: What keeps you playing now?

Hugh: Money...the fact I am too tight to walk away after what I have already spent! Nah, it was trying a new community and meeting new people that kept me playing. Running Centrelink gives me a little buzz when I see new players slowly come out of their shells. That’s what keep me around ...and I blame JamesW (as all good eUKers should!)

Roz: Finally, I am a huge pie fan and I would like to know which is your favourite!

Hugh: Cream pie...always. Other than that a Pukka steak and kidney pie



Well there you have it, I hope you enjoyed reading this admittedly long article nearly as much as I enjoyed writing it! I think you'll agree that Hugh is a pretty cool guy - send him a friend request if you aren't already on his friends list! tStay tuned for next week when I will be interviewing another great role model, CheetahCurtis!

Roz ❤