Hello everyone. The Herald is back this time interviewing the nation Zuhayrian of Conch Kingdom. He has a very interesting view on a lot of diverse topics. Our reporter Yawehs Chosen Peoples conducted the interview that follows:
Yawehs Chosen Peoples (YCP); Describe yourself for those who don't know you and what brought you to NS?
Zuhayrian (Zn); So, my main nation now is Zuhayrian (Zuhay), but it used to be Jalaron Advaria (JA), which is now maintained as a puppet. My name is Bhargav, and I'm the current Minister of Cultural Affairs over in the Conch Kingdom. I also was an Assemblyman for 4 terms in the Assembly of Nations, and as JA, I was the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
I started off in January 2018, and I found NS through a very unlikely source, a meme. Back then (and still kinda now) I used to like Tiny Snek Comics a lot, and there was this one comic which introduced "Scrungo Beepis, Lizard Supreme." I was interested in this character, cause I'm a weird guy at heart and I just like memes a lot. So I searched Beepis up on Google, and the first link was to a nation by that name. From there, I created a new nation, ended up in the West Pacific, saw a CK recruitment TG, and took the leap.
YCP; Since you've joined an AA region in what seems to be at the begining of your nationstates career what have been some defineing moments along the way from your time here? This can be anything that you've done that stands out in your memory, either an AA event or just a CK event or just some fun NS thing you've done?
Zn; Well, I can't say that I've been around for a lot of events, but there are 3 that spring to mind. The first two are N-Day 3 and Z-Day 4(?). I consider those as my de-facto 'initiation' into NS, as those two events served to more or less build up a camaraderie with other people within my region. The third one, IIRC, was when Conch Kingdom got into the top 10 for regional influence. I think we peaked at #5 or 6. That kinda did a lot for regional pride.
Of course, there will probably be a lot more events I'll be around for, or even host! So I'll keep an eye out for those opportunities, when the time comes
YCP; As an official/Delegate of Conch Kingdom what did you think the greatest challenge was, and what was some of the ways you were able to overcome that challenge?
Zn; Well, I’m not delegate right now (although that could change soon, as the PM is conducting interviews to fill the role for the time being), but if I were, the main challenge would be retaining endos and not having people unendo for reasons other than joining the JTF. For that, my plan would pretty much be to increase my (figurative) influence in the region, through TGs where I weigh in on the current WA proposals, ask WA members to cross-endo, or just help new members with the process
YCP; So, as you’ve said, you plan to be very active to the people in your region, through this what plans do you wish to accomplish in a potential delegacy?
Zn; I’d start small, like sending out TGs advising WA members to vote one way or the other, taking into account the AA Defense Office’s recommendations. I’d also reach out via the RMB as well, like the previous delegate Arudis did, through moderation of the chat and insertion of “questions of the day” to get people involved in the Conch Kingdom overall. Other than those thoughts, I don’t really have much else to talk about. I definitely would appreciate suggestions and take concerns from CK residents, so that could take my potential delegacy in a new direction.
YCP; Diving deeper into the WA, the AA seems to have this NatSov mindset when it comes to WA resolutions. This mindset is basically summed up as vote no on proposals and vote yes to repeals. What are your thoughts on some of this mentality?
Zn; My own mentality is much different. My personal ideology can best be described as transhumanist libertarian socialism, which, needless to say, is pretty much opposite of the NatSov platform on the matter of government existence and extent of influence. Based on that, sometimes I would agree with the DO’s reqs, sometimes not. In those situations, I would make known my particular divergence from the recommendation, and note both mine and the AADO’s position on the matter in my actual telegram to WA members. The NatSov platform in itself has some overlap with my own interests, but overall there is a discrepancy. That may not be desired when the objective is to toe the proverbial line, but I have never been one to always do so.
YCP; Very interesting, moving away from the WA, let's talk about NSGP. Do you recomend R/D and "war" game play (things like the JTF) and have you ever participated in it? If so what are some memorable experiences?
Zn; Yeah, I’d recommend for any nation, new or old, to start creating puppet nations and delve into R/D ops. I myself was in the JTF Active Division for a short stint, where I helped out with the fight against the NPO. I even made some memes about it, to help win the propaganda war. Of course, R/D isn’t always essential to the regional experience, but it is a significant part of it.
YCP; What is the part of NS that you think could fixed or a part of NS that could be implemented to make onsite better?
Zn; Well, a pet peeve of mine is the fact that the forum isn’t optimized for mobile, and since I sometimes check up on it on my iPhone, I would appreciate it if the UI that NS already has for the rest of the site carried over somehow to the forum.
YCP; Okay great, Final question. What do you think sets CK apart from other regions in the AA, or what do you think it needs to push it over the edge?
Zn; Well, one thing I’ve seen from CK that makes it shine out in the Alliance is the level of activity it has, from roleplay to the RMB to the Discord server. However, it does need to have residents who are ready, willing, and able to keep the regional government alive, and in extension, the region itself.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to do the interview, I’ll be eager to do the next one!
The Herald is proud to serve LE and the AA as a whole and is eager to expand. If you're in LE and are interested in what's going on at The Herald don't hesitate to ask. Thanks again to Zuhayrian for the great interview.
