Heads of State
The ChickieNob and I started playing NationStates. Many years ago, I had a region with a bunch of students. I’ve thought about playing since then with the kids, but never took the time to sign up and create a new country. But then the ChickieNob brought it up at dinner; her friend was playing NationStates and it sounded like fun. Would I want to play with them? Uh… YES.
So I started a country and the ChickieNob started a country, and I started a region so we could live in peace without being recruited dozens of times per day by other regions. I love my little country. Political freedom is at the world benchmark level. My civil rights are superb. We have quokkas despite being nowhere near Australia. Life is good.
Life isn’t as great in the ChickieNob’s country on the mainland. Crime may be unknown within her borders, but her citizens aren’t happy. She is learning the hard work of being a ruler.
If you haven’t played NationStates, you set up a country and choose a few basic traits, such as the type of government and the history of your inhabitants. Then you start playing. Playing means getting an issue several times per day and making a decision on it. Your decision always has an impact on your citizens or country. Someone is always unhappy with what you’ve chosen to do even as others are celebrating your action. For instance, I stopped someone from mining gold from a government-owned lake. The environmental groups were thrilled because mining would have harmed the wildlife. The mining industry was furious because they couldn’t make a living.
I like the game because it makes you think deeply about how every action you take — in your day-to-day life as well as the game — affects other people, positively and negatively. When I buy a container of yogurt, I’ve given money to a store which in turn supports a business which in turn employs people. When I decide to drive the longer but easier route, I burn more fuel and impact the environment. That yogurt negatively impacted the people who work for a rival brand. That drive benefited the gasoline manufacturers. It can be immobilizing if you think about it too hard.
The ChickieNob is learning that it’s not so easy to be the queen.
3 comments
I’m intrigued. And what wonderful life lessons for ChickieNob to be learning! It’s why I struggle sometimes to relate to those who think governing is easy, that issues are black and white, good and bad.
This actually sounds like a game I would like. I am going to look it up, my husband might want to play it with me.
It might be a game but it sure is a good lesson to learn for ChickieNob. It reminds me of how all my kids will grumble (or half of them will) over a decision I have made and say how it’s not fair and they can’t wait to grow up and be the boss, and I always tell them “it’s really not so great, it’s not so fun.”
And yes, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Simple physics, but put into terms like this game it is definitely immobilizing.
Oh, this sounds fascinating. I’m going to give it a try.