younger voices

Day 3,223, 13:31 • Published in USA USA • by Duncan Crowe


Hi,

The article fingerguns’ wrote on the upcoming Congressional elections had a critical claim that I’d like all of us to recognize: “Congress really isn’t so serious.” That is to say, it is difficult for older, experienced players to recognize the “cult of expertise” fostered by this aging game. Intelligent, thoughtful people can be intimidated into believing there is no value in younger, less established voices - even if the younger voices are just as capable of insight - because they believe this game is supposed to be incredibly serious all the time.

It is illogical to keep opinions out of the conversation simply because someone else devotes 30 minutes per day more. Or even hours more. Is it really necessary to establish a holy standard of activity? Of age? Of experience? To force everyone to do their homework before offering opinions?

Or, as fingerguns’ said, is Congress not so serious after all? And if it is not so serious, is there an opportunity for any player to contribute valuable insight and intellectual debate to a conversation? Can we learn from pragmatic, inclusive involvement?

To be clear, I’m not interested in devaluing older players. By utilizing the expertise of established players, knowledgeable, tough decisions, can be made daily. But if a meritocracy is not valued in the eUSA, citizens will not be encouraged to actively engage with this game, to think critically about particular issues.

It is okay to be wrong.

It is okay to offer a new voice to an old conversation.

It is okay to allow a newer player the chance to lead.

Active engagement, from all of us, fosters learning, challenging us to be a little less serious, and make this game a little more fun. There is merit in asking questions. There is merit in being interested in learning and contributing. As a Fed, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to any voices in the community. I hope that you choose to run for Congress as an a Fed, willing to engage in the conversation, and foster a meritocracy on a national level.

Thank you for your time,

-Dunks