A Second Speech to the Ziu from a Citizen

[Marcel Eðo Pairescu Tafial, UrGP]

Honestly, perhaps the tape can be cut without actually repealing anything. If everyone active just agrees to ignore it...

Ahh, the wonders of adhocracy!

[Marcel Eðo Pairescu Tafial, UrGP]

Also while we're on the general topic of trying and failing to do fun things, my last attempt at a cultural project was an audio(visual) news format in Talossan, and nothing ever came of it because no one contacted me on the job board at TalossaNET during the three months that the posting was open by default. (Speaking of TalossaNET, I *think* its been overrun by spam and/or bot accounts lately, someone should take care of that...)

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

The problem with talossa.net is that the Ministry of STUFF has ground to a complete halt because Eðo has other things to do. The Seneschál has signalled a total cabinet reshuffle for... sometime soon, I suppose.

[Viteu]

Uppermost Cort
El Lexhatx puts the Clerk of Corts in charge of administering the Cort. This might work well if the Clerk were consistently active, but Clerks have generally not been active for most of the position's history. If the law were followed, this would make it very difficult to conduct any legal business. However, for the past several years, parties to cases and Justices alike have essentially agreed to pretend the position of Clerk does not exist and handle all administration themselves. This has allowed the Cort to function, although it does so in a make-it-up-as-we-go manner that no one quite understands and is ripe for future controversy.

There's been some positive movement since 2019, of course, but it's inhibited by two necessary components--a lack of active judges and a lack of an active clerk.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

Here are some of my ideas, some of which I've mentioned before.

Stats
We don't keep track of immigration statistics.  How many people immigrated last month?  The month before that?  Over the course of this term?  Last year?  No one knows unless they go back and compile the numbers.  That is absolutely crazy.  It is literally indefensible.  Immigration rate is the most important number in the country right now and we're not even bothering to keep track.  No money, new laws or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Zuavs
The Zuavs is a program designed to address our specific activity problem, since it rewards and promotes activity with pomp and ceremony.  The whole program is already set up, with ranks and images already defined, and a list of members from my first few months running it still exists.  But literally nothing has been done with it since the minute I left office.  We should revive it and encourage people to join it.  And people did it for fun!  No money, new laws, or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Centralize
Government business and party business should be relocated to Witt, as much as possible.  Right now, nearly all of that is invisible, which just feeds the impression that nothing is happening in Talossa (even when a lot is purportedly happening behind the scenes).  This can't be mandated for obvious reasons (like freedom of speech and associated), but it looks like literally everyone needed to make this happen is in this thread and people could just agree to do it.  No money, new laws, or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Tweet
Log onto the Kingdom Twitter on Tweetdeck and schedule a bunch of posts based on upcoming holidays (using the wiki page on them) and just general silliness.  A bunch can be quickly written and scheduled, and hashtagged with "#conlang #micronation #talossa".  It will require not much more than an hour of work every couple of months.  It will be much easier than actually consistently using our nearly-dead social media, but still gin up a good presence as a start to begin building back up opportunities for future real engagement.  For bonus points, use IFTT to automate cross-posting to Facebook and Instagram.  No money, new laws, or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Meet
Where do Talossans live near each other?  Let's figure it out and arrange for more meet-ups.  One or two happen each year, but they used to be (in times past) opportunities for silly big propaganda.  Lean back into that -- let's normalize it again.  Ian P. meets up with Viteu in New York?  Take some pictures and let's trumpet it loudly as the Mega-Apple Summit for Talossan Advancement.  No money, new laws, or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Knights
We're in dire times, and vigorous support for these initiatives or others should be rewarded as an act of patriotism in service to Talossa.  If someone knocks off a few things on this list, they probably should be in line for a knighthood.  We don't want pay-to-play, and the dignity of titles has to be preserved if it's going to actually mean anything to anyone, but we should reward people who rise to the occasion of their country's emergency.  No money, new laws, or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Ads
We have a decent amount of money.  Abandon the plans to spend it on stuff like a registered agent, and instead start an advertising campaign.  The Government can run a contest for the copy and images, and then appropriate funds with a PD or bill.  Target some key words like "micronation" or "conlang."  This would require significant expenditure and laws, but not much beyond that (no opposition is likely to appear).

[King Txec]

Uppermost Cort
El Lexhatx puts the Clerk of Corts in charge of administering the Cort. This might work well if the Clerk were consistently active, but Clerks have generally not been active for most of the position's history. If the law were followed, this would make it very difficult to conduct any legal business. However, for the past several years, parties to cases and Justices alike have essentially agreed to pretend the position of Clerk does not exist and handle all administration themselves. This has allowed the Cort to function, although it does so in a make-it-up-as-we-go manner that no one quite understands and is ripe for future controversy.

There's been some positive movement since 2019, of course, but it's inhibited by two necessary components--a lack of active judges and a lack of an active clerk.

Who is the current Clerk? Perhaps its time to remove and reappoint someone active?

[King Txec]

Here are some of my ideas, some of which I've mentioned before.

Centralize
Government business and party business should be relocated to Witt, as much as possible.  Right now, nearly all of that is invisible, which just feeds the impression that nothing is happening in Talossa (even when a lot is purportedly happening behind the scenes).  This can't be mandated for obvious reasons (like freedom of speech and associated), but it looks like literally everyone needed to make this happen is in this thread and people could just agree to do it.  No money, new laws, or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Tweet
Log onto the Kingdom Twitter on Tweetdeck and schedule a bunch of posts based on upcoming holidays (using the wiki page on them) and just general silliness.  A bunch can be quickly written and scheduled, and hashtagged with "#conlang #micronation #talossa".  It will require not much more than an hour of work every couple of months.  It will be much easier than actually consistently using our nearly-dead social media, but still gin up a good presence as a start to begin building back up opportunities for future real engagement.  For bonus points, use IFTT to automate cross-posting to Facebook and Instagram.  No money, new laws, or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Knights
We're in dire times, and vigorous support for these initiatives or others should be rewarded as an act of patriotism in service to Talossa.  If someone knocks off a few things on this list, they probably should be in line for a knighthood.  We don't want pay-to-play, and the dignity of titles has to be preserved if it's going to actually mean anything to anyone, but we should reward people who rise to the occasion of their country's emergency.  No money, new laws, or supermajority support would be required to do this.

Ads
We have a decent amount of money.  Abandon the plans to spend it on stuff like a registered agent, and instead start an advertising campaign.  The Government can run a contest for the copy and images, and then appropriate funds with a PD or bill.  Target some key words like "micronation" or "conlang."  This would require significant expenditure and laws, but not much beyond that (no opposition is likely to appear).

Centralizing is a good thought. I don't see why at least some of the business of the FreeDems can't occur in a dedicated forum. We already do post information on our party conventions, which are open to anyone. I'd also like to see the Cabinet using the forum in the private forum we've set up for that purpose.

As for the tweets, do we know who has the login information for our Twitter account? I spend a lot of time tweeting for my author business so I'm well versed in scheduling and the logistics. I'd be happy to take that on if we can figure out who has current control.

The knight business is a bit of a sore spot owing to the fact that so few have been honored and we have a nice list of people who I believe would be eligible, even without the list you put together AD.

Ads are a good idea. Sponsored ads on Twitter might be a good place to do this.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

In case there was any misunderstanding, the Government is taking all these ideas - as we do any other raised by citizens - under advisement. The biggest problem is that fully half the Government is non-functional at the moment and the handful of functioning ministers are having to "triage" what we can do right now. The question of rejuvenating the Cabinet lineup is in the hands of the Seneschál.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

As for the tweets, do we know who has the login information for our Twitter account? I spend a lot of time tweeting for my author business so I'm well versed in scheduling and the logistics. I'd be happy to take that on if we can figure out who has current control.

Presumably it was whoever was last MinCult? Or their predecessor? Or if all else fails, recover the password, I guess.

The knight business is a bit of a sore spot owing to the fact that so few have been honored and we have a nice list of people who I believe would be eligible, even without the list you put together AD.

Part of the reason why titles are objects of interest is that they are relatively rare. Simple longevity is not enough, and neither is serving in office, typically. But the Government has given itself the power to nominate people for knighthoods, so no further powers, laws, or money are required for recognizing extraordinary acts of service to the country.

[Viteu]

Uppermost Cort
El Lexhatx puts the Clerk of Corts in charge of administering the Cort. This might work well if the Clerk were consistently active, but Clerks have generally not been active for most of the position's history. If the law were followed, this would make it very difficult to conduct any legal business. However, for the past several years, parties to cases and Justices alike have essentially agreed to pretend the position of Clerk does not exist and handle all administration themselves. This has allowed the Cort to function, although it does so in a make-it-up-as-we-go manner that no one quite understands and is ripe for future controversy.

There's been some positive movement since 2019, of course, but it's inhibited by two necessary components--a lack of active judges and a lack of an active clerk.

Who is the current Clerk? Perhaps its time to remove and reappoint someone active?

There is no Clerk. I understand that the Government are working on this.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

The Seneschal asked me if I wanted to be the Clerk, and I said that I'd be willing.  That was a week ago, though.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

Very glad to hear you want the job

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

Very glad to hear you want the job

I'm also going to apply to become a herald.  It doesn't look like there's going to be any movement on anything that I've been advocating for, but I guess at least I can keep trying to do my part.

It's been a week -- I guess it's not really urgent, but is the Seneschal going to nominate me to be Clerk, or should I nudge the Senior Justice?

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

It's been more than a month since I brought this up again, and five months since I first started trying to draw attention to our problem.  In response, there has been a slight shift in personnel in the Government, I have been appointed Clerk (which obviously is basically irrelevant for years at a time), Ian P has done the sandwich thing for donations again, Francal made an announcement about SIGN, and the other active member of the Government has begun to try to gather information by quizzing some of our potential immigrants.  And while those last three things are great and represent some real effort, it's also really clear that we are not taking this seriously.

   
• Immigration rate is the most important number in the country right now and we're not even bothering to keep track.  That's insane.  It's indefensible -- and I mean that literally, no one has even tried to defend the practice.
• The Zuavs rewards activity with pomp and ceremony.  The whole program is already set up.  But if we don't want to do that, we should do something else.  We have become too small and quiet for activity to crop up organically.
• Government business and party business should be relocated to Witt, as much as possible.  Right now, nearly all of that is invisible, which just feeds the impression that nothing is happening in Talossa.
• Log onto the Kingdom Twitter on Tweetdeck and schedule a bunch of posts based on upcoming holidays (using the wiki page on them) and just general silliness, and use IFTT to automate cross-posting to Facebook and Instagram.  Txec already offered to do this!  Let him do it!
• Start an advertising campaign.  Target some key words like "micronation" or "conlang."

We need to treat this problem with the seriousness it deserves, rather than just chugging along with business-as-usual.  If the people in charge won't adopt my plans, that's fine -- but do something serious and new and bold.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

Okay, I've been trying to ignore the squawking, but it doesn't work. Forgive me for venting.

]Immigration rate is the most important number in the country right now and we're not even bothering to keep track.

What are you talking about? We're keeping track of prospective immigrants. There were 2 last week. Or do you mean something else?

The Zuavs rewards activity with pomp and ceremony.  The whole program is already set up.

Cabinet has discussed this. Initiative now lies with the new Minister of Defence.

Government business and party business should be relocated to Witt, as much as possible.

We're not putting our party conversations on Witt just because you can't handle the idea that we might be talking about you behind your back. Your long campaign to abolish privacy in Talossan politics will fail.

Log onto the Kingdom Twitter on Tweetdeck and schedule a bunch of posts based on upcoming holidays (using the wiki page on them) and just general silliness, and use IFTT to automate cross-posting to Facebook and Instagram.  Txec already offered to do this!  Let him do it!

Txec who? Are you referring to the SoS? The Twitter passwords are now with the Seneschál as the new Minister of Stuff; but if the SoS had ever offered to take over the Twitter himself, this is news to me.

Start an advertising campaign.  Target some key words like "micronation" or "conlang."

Cabinet has discussed this. Finance says we can afford it. Initiative now rests with MinStuff.

We need to treat this problem with the seriousness it deserves,

"You need to treat Glorious Victorious Baron with the seriousness he thinks he deserves". But the Baron hasn't realised that the more he acts like he's the boss of this country - even though no-one voted for him and all the power he has got from sycophancy to the permanently absent-King - the more he's ignored by those with a democratic mandate.

[King Txec]

I may not remember correctly, but I think I said I'd help out with the Twitter, but I'm not a member of the government so I don't think me just doing it myself alone would be appropriate.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

]Immigration rate is the most important number in the country right now and we're not even bothering to keep track.

What are you talking about? We're keeping track of prospective immigrants. There were 2 last week. Or do you mean something else?

How many were there in the last six months of last year?  Is that tracked?  If so, where is that and how can we see it?

The Zuavs rewards activity with pomp and ceremony.  The whole program is already set up.

Cabinet has discussed this. Initiative now lies with the new Minister of Defence.

Great!  Can't wait to see it happen.  It's been five months since I brought this idea up, though, so it would be great to see some movement sooner rather than later.

Government business and party business should be relocated to Witt, as much as possible.

We're not putting our party conversations on Witt just because you can't handle the idea that we might be talking about you behind your back. Your long campaign to abolish privacy in Talossan politics will fail.

...what?  Put it on private boards here!  I'm not saying that the Government or the political party shouldn't be allowed to have private conversations, don't be dense.  But if there's just one forum then that will help get the ball rolling on activity, as people see posts on other boards and maybe get involved.  It's the same principle a lot of organizations use where they try to encourage interaction between people in different departments, since ideas can then spread and advance through casual contact.

Log onto the Kingdom Twitter on Tweetdeck and schedule a bunch of posts based on upcoming holidays (using the wiki page on them) and just general silliness, and use IFTT to automate cross-posting to Facebook and Instagram.  Txec already offered to do this!  Let him do it!

Txec who? Are you referring to the SoS? The Twitter passwords are now with the Seneschál as the new Minister of Stuff; but if the SoS had ever offered to take over the Twitter himself, this is news to me.

Maybe if you weren't trying to ignore this stuff, you would have seen it.  He's offered to help the MinStuff with it here.

As for the tweets, do we know who has the login information for our Twitter account? I spend a lot of time tweeting for my author business so I'm well versed in scheduling and the logistics. I'd be happy to take that on if we can figure out who has current control.

Start an advertising campaign.  Target some key words like "micronation" or "conlang."

Cabinet has discussed this. Finance says we can afford it. Initiative now rests with MinStuff.

Great!  Can't wait to see it.  It's been five months since I brought this idea up, though, so it would be great to see some movement sooner rather than later.

We need to treat this problem with the seriousness it deserves,

"You need to treat Glorious Victorious Baron with the seriousness he thinks he deserves". But the Baron hasn't realised that the more he acts like he's the boss of this country - even though no-one voted for him and all the power he has got from sycophancy to the permanently absent-King - the more he's ignored by those with a democratic mandate.

You can be as spiteful as you want, as long as you do really implement some of these proposals.  I wish you luck with the Zuavs, social media, and advertising.  And I wish you luck with your "semi-retirement."

[Miestră Schivă, UrN-GC]

We're not putting our party conversations on Witt just because you can't handle the idea that we might be talking about you behind your back. Your long campaign to abolish privacy in Talossan politics will fail.

...what?  Put it on private boards here!

Well. I'm big enough to admit when I was wrong. I don't remember you ever saying 'private' boards, and I remember your attempt to get access to private Cabinet (and FreeDem) conversations on Facebook, when you were trying to get a CpI Justice of improper collusion. So I put 2 and 2 together. If that was never what you meant, I got it wrong, and I withdraw and apologise.

All I can say is that the current FreeDems public forum (which is only really used for our conventions) has the advantage that we can moderate and administer it ourselves without getting Chancery permission. And I don't see how a private board would enable newbies to see Talossan activity in action. But the idea has its attractions.

[Baron Alexandreu Davinescu]

We're not putting our party conversations on Witt just because you can't handle the idea that we might be talking about you behind your back. Your long campaign to abolish privacy in Talossan politics will fail.

...what?  Put it on private boards here!

Well. I'm big enough to admit when I was wrong. I don't remember you ever saying 'private' boards, and I remember your attempt to get access to private Cabinet (and FreeDem) conversations on Facebook, when you were trying to get a CpI Justice of improper collusion. So I put 2 and 2 together.

Yes, I was interested in what the opposing attorney was saying in private to the judge about the case.  I otherwise have very little interest in what's being said on your party forums; I was told by one Free Democrat that 30–40% of the posts on your party Facebook group mention me by name, but I imagine none of it is very kind.  Why would I want to see it?  Let's just move on.

If that was never what you meant, I got it wrong, and I withdraw and apologise.

No worries, misunderstandings happen.

All I can say is that the current FreeDems public forum (which is only really used for our conventions) has the advantage that we can moderate and administer it ourselves without getting Chancery permission. And I don't see how a private board would enable newbies to see Talossan activity in action. But the idea has its attractions.

It would allow them to see boards with an increasing post count from the steady activity, and it would encourage members of the political party and the Government to see stuff on main Witt that they might otherwise have missed.  Please give it some thought.  I used to strongly advocate for many different forums, but we're just too small for that now.

[King Txec]

I now have access to our social accounts. Ideas on posts?