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You are reading an article written by a citizen of eRepublik, an immersive multiplayer strategy game based on real life countries. Create your own character and help your country achieve its glory while establishing yourself as a war hero, renowned publisher or finance guru.

Have you ever thought?

Day 1,382, 14:43 • Published in Canada Canada

• by Artemis Bane

I always feel like elections are a popularity contest. Don't get me wrong, I know particularly in this game how often one vote is the deciding factor, especially in things like congress, but the feeling of being one in a sea of many is rather daunting. The old "Why does my vote even matter?" complex. Even in (the dreaded) Real Life elections, I feel that way. Everyone is always voting for the most charismatic, or the best orator, or the most connected candidate in the race. And honestly, that worries me.

I admit to being a thinker. Sure, I can step up and lead myself when the circumstance calls for it, but I prefer to let others bask in the glory and receive the attention. Ideas are the true power in any sort of movement. It is the ideals that can lodge inside a populace and turn a one off gathering into a prolonged rebellion. I find that in eRep, people don't argue to the individual but instead play off the mob. It's their mentality and actions that seem to end up in control of the situations while a disparaged few have to stand aside and watch. While wiser heads may prevail in the long term, it's the instinct reactions that are swayed by feelings and emotion.

So yet again we face the choice of who to support during an election, that in all likelihood will already be decided by the voting constituent percentages of the top 5 parties. Whose support is usually based on whether they're
a) A member there
b) Spent the 5 minutes to get their name added to the party poll
c) A better choice than the other wanks proposed by rival groups

Is it too much to ask that we bring back the system of debates between candidates, where one can assess their oration and address the concerns of players, as brought forth by the players themselves? Is it too much to ask that players themselves take the 15 minutes on the 4th or 5th of every month to actually READ what the CP candidates are saying?

Because honestly, if you've been around eCanada for any length of time at all, you're familiar with our illustrious mass choices for the highest office. Which says something about the populace we speak to, for and from.

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Comments

Ethel Rosenberg Day 1,382, 14:59

Great points Artemis! Bring back the debates indeed!

Frodo Tea Baggins Day 1,382, 15:03

I remember the last CP debate in eCan, I moderated it and posted 2 articles of logs.

Sir Arthur William Currie Day 1,382, 15:21

Great article

OLloyd Day 1,382, 15:55

And the person with the coolest name gets voted for...unless someone elses name is on the top of the ballot...

Acacia Mason Day 1,382, 16:07

Artemis you hit the nail on the head.

I have only been back a few days but there is a distinct Laisez faire attitude in political arenas. What happened to working to get the vote? What about taking a direct stance on an issue and fighting for it? What about that sense of community and common purpose that guided so many other election movements?

I too am in favour of debates and frankly, I would be willing to host and moderate one in a podcast format where we can not only SEE but HEAR the intonation of the candidate. I miss the debates too but the question is, do the candidates have the desire to restore them?