Sober Thought

The Community of Sober Thought was created in February 2005 for the NationStates game.

Why am I here

I came to this site in real life accidentally, but it intrigued me enough to give it a try. The deciding factor was the ability to create my own flag (a variant of a flag I have actually made for myself in real life).

I try to take it "seriously" in the sense that I respond to issues, diplomatic overtures and communications as if they were real. What follows is both my real life and game attitudes and ambitions.

What are my values

I am political centrist with a slight left-wing bent. In the NS and real life worlds, I usually rank political freedom first, personal freedom second and economic freedom third.

I prefer to disassociate myself from anti-democratic, communist, fascist, authoritarian and anarchic regimes, policies and alliances.

I am dedicated to civility and reason in all communications, and I expect no less from others.

I enjoy engaging in reasoned debate and dialectic; some of the best ideas come from the synthesis of others which would never have flown on their own.

What will I do here

I'm not sure about what region, if any, to join but this site has helped me create a shortlist after reading some of the entries. I take selecting the region I join seriously and consider my values when doing so.

Although I have applied to the United Nations, I'm still not sure if that's wise since I have so little say in the policies which will change my UN category.

In real life as in NationStates, I try to think the issues through and make the most informed, rational, sensible and moderate decision based on the options presented. I realize it makes game play possible, but I dislike the fact that there are typically only 2-4 options per issues, when I often have a better option in mind that is not listed. Since the UN crafts its own legislation to issues, this is a bonus.

Those who are interested in having me draft a proposed flag proposal, subject to North American Vexillological Association guidelines, my own values listed above and my sense of style. I will make it within the pixel and kilobyte range the game demands, and send it to you as a JPEG.

What I will not do here

So far, I am not willing to go over to the role playing side, except when signing telegrams and the like. It's seems like too much time and effort for no personal payoff.

I don't want to join a region based purely on real world geography; I can do that already in real life, so why would I do that here.

I won't invade a region nor defend one indefinitely if barbarians are at the gates. I'm here to play, not be prevented from playing.

I probably won't create a region because it takes too much time and effort, but I might if I get more into the game and see no existing region that reflects my values and goals.

I will not denigrate people, engage in flamewars, nor spend too much time defending myself against these.

Message aux francophones

J'ai decide de m'inscrire au NationStates, que je ai trouvé par accident, après j'ai lu que je pourrais faire un drapeau unique.

Je me modèle mes politiques, choix et activités au NS au ceux de ma vraie vie, c'est-à-dire: politique centre-gauche, soutien de la démocratie, la politesse et discussions logiques.

Je voudrais m'inscrire une région qui croit et garde mes croyances dessus, et ce Wiki m'a aide de lister quelques régions possibles. Mais, c'est en anglais seulement. Si tu t'inscris à une région vraiment francophone et tu voudrais me donner de l'information sur elle, veuilles m'envoyer un télégramme.

Si on a besoin d'un drapeau unique, je peux les faire en se fondant des règles du North American Vexillological Association (Société nord-américaine des drapeau, texte anglais, mais je peux te donner un sommaire français ou une traduction par Babelfish), mes croyances et le mode. J'en fais en accord avec les règles du jeux et t'en envoie par courriel.

Si on voudrais me battre ou insulter, je ne reste pas au NationsStates. C'est un jeu, pas ma vie; je ne voudrais ni donner des coups ni les accepter. Il est peu probable que je fasse une région qui garderais mes croyances; ce projet demande plus du temps et travail que je voudrais lui donner.

Zu Deutschesprächere

Ich kann nur ein klein bisschen Deutsch schreiben und lesen. Aber das is richtung Deutsch, kein Babelfish Deutsch.

Ich bin democratische, bisschen sozialdemokratiche, und ich will eine Gemeinde des andere Staaten auch demokratische.

Ich möchte Spielen nicht Kampfen, mitsprechen nicht gegengehen.

Ich kann für einmann die Fähne order Flaggen machen. Bitte lesen North American Vexillological Association und fragt mir. Keine Hakenkreuz, Kommunistische oder anderes Antidemokratische Symbols, bitte.