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The Mallorean Inquirer
Topic Started: May 22 2013, 07:20 PM (2,088 Views)
Flowering Staplers
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<3
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Mallorea and Riva
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SOON
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Mallorea and Riva
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Where'd All the Good People Go?
An open letter from the head of TMI to the UDL

The United Defenders League has all but disappeared from NationStates. What was once the preeminent defender organization in the game has died a silent death, the death of inactivity. There are a number of possible explanations for this death, and what follows will not be an exhaustive list. Additionally there is the undeniable fact that multiple factors have played into the death of the once impressive UDL, so the focus of this letter will be to explain to you the main reason that this organization has crumbled. It seems somewhat silly to write a letter to an organization that I have just deemed to be kaput, but hey this sure beats writing that essay on Barrington Moore that I have to do tonight.

Possibility One: It is impossible for defender groups to survive in the current gameplay climate.

If I had to guess, I would say that this is the explanation that you guys would turn to in order to explain the collapse. I could be wrong, but I know that some of you think this. I've heard the argument, that piling destroyed the game because it made it impossible for defenders to liberate regions and that tag raiding is evil. Not everyone who believes that piling broke the game thinks that tag raiding is evil, and vice versa. Here are my problems with this hypothesis:

  • First it's pretty clear that tag raiding is not the problem. Tag raiding is an opportunity for activity, both via defending regions and detagging. TBR have tag raided so frequently and in such quantities that at this point you have endless opportunities to be active.
  • Why is piling a problem? Because defenders can't get enough updaters. How do you get updaters? You need to get people to join. How do you do that? You recruit. What hasn't the UDL been doing? Recruiting. Are liberations the only way that raids can be defeated? No. Raids can be prevented. But how can we prevent raids? Jakker, before he left the game, noted that he was tempted to become a defender just because of how poor the general Defender methodology was.
  • It is true that the UDL is not the only Defender group to fall apart. Some in Mordor moved to Spiritus, which ceased defending but that was due to severe internal struggles which removed a degree of Spiritus' capacity to defend.


Possibility Two: The efforts of external forces have crippled the UDL and defeated it.

Unless someone reveals themselves to be a brilliant DEN or TITO operative who has sabotaged the UDL, I'll dismiss this. I don't think anyone took you guys down from the inside. Besides yourselves. Which brings us finally to...

Possibility Three: The leadership of the UDL has failed. (The "It's all Mahaj's fault" hypothesis)

Here it is folks. I attributed many of the problems in possibility one to failures of methodology, such as a failure to recruit. Where does the blame for this belong? At the feet of the leadership of the organization. As I write this letter I see the following on Mahaj's forum profile: Last Activity Date Apr 20 2014, 03:36 PM

Need I say more? I will, even though I don't need to. Unibot was a divisive leader of this organization. However you cannot deny that he kept the UDL active. Movie nights, constant updates on the forums (the UDL thread is basically dead, and there haven't been updates in a looooooooong time), him actually being online and talking. All of these things kept the UDL alive and relatively healthy. Then Mahaj was elected and the entire thing went to shit. No new game mechanics were introduced. Raiders didn't change anything they were doing. No master spy entered the UDL besides Douria and that wasn't for very long.

The responsibility to keep the UDL active and recruiting is the Chief of the Band's. If the COB does not do his job, the organization fails unless there is herculean effort from underlings. There was not. Now to be fair, this shows that the Lieutenants and other officers share some of the blame. They do. I don't know that I can fault those who voted for Mahaj. I don't remember if he was able to make major updates at the time of the conclave. If not then I absolutely blame the voters 100%. However Mahaj had been relatively active and around for a long time, he was not an insane choice. Sadly, however, it turns out he was the wrong choice.

I urge the UDL to have a new conclave, select a new Chief, and become active again. Alternatively, throw in the towel and admit that it's over.
Edited by Mallorea and Riva, May 2 2014, 11:31 PM.
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Mahaj
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The UDL will still be prosperous for a long time, regardless of what naysayers say.

Also, I just saw this post.
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Unibot
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Hail!
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Mallorea and Riva
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5/4/2014, Bugging Mahaj
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Tim
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I'd like to take Mall on as my Deputy Chief of Printing
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Mallorea and Riva
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Tim
May 12 2014, 04:08 AM
I'd like to take Mall on as my Deputy Chief of Printing
I'd say to take that up with Mahaj but I don't think anyone actually knows who holds what rank or position in the UDL anymore.

New installment of bugging mahaj available.
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Tim
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Mallorea and Riva
May 14 2014, 12:13 AM
Tim
May 12 2014, 04:08 AM
I'd like to take Mall on as my Deputy Chief of Printing
I'd say to take that up with Mahaj but I don't think anyone actually knows who holds what rank or position in the UDL anymore.

New installment of bugging mahaj available.
You're hired!
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Mallorea and Riva
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I'd just like to note that the UDL has thrown out Mahaj, probably in response to my article. The Head of Military for The Black Hawks has officially couped the UDL.
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