In order to make the game world of USG more reactive to the actions of the players, the admin team will now be utilizing "Gestalt Sliders" to track public sentiment on dozens of various issues.

To answer your first question, 'Gestalt Sliders' is a fancy term for list with numbers.

Each issue below has a starting value assigned to it, from 0 (unthinkable taboo) to 100 (Second nature). The higher the score, the more the American public will generally agree with the issue. Over the course of the game players will be able to influence these scores, in either direction. How? By doing the things you're already doing. Debating, voting, issuing PR's, going on speaking tours, etc. But more on that later. For now, the issue list as it stands, sans scores.



The list is not final. Some issues may be added over time, and some may become moot and be removed.

So, how to influence the scores? As stated above, by doing the things you already do in the course of USG. Let's use the Hate Crime Laws issue as an example. Say Congressman X authors a bill that would enshrine new legal protections for certain minority groups. He issues a Press Release to his constituents, explaining why he wrote the bill, and why it is important. In the House, he and Congressmen Y and Z passionately debate in favor the bill, and eventually get it passed. Congressmen X speaks to residents of his state, promoting the bill, targeting those who might be opposed to it, eloquently defending it's importance. In time, the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law, receiving positive coverage in the media. All of these things taken together would move the Hate Crime Laws slider a good distance in the positive direction.

Seriously influencing any issue requires three things- People, energy, and time. Given those three, almost anything can be accomplished in USG, but without all three effects may be minimal. Consider several characters making a speaking blitz in Utah in favor of Same Sex Marriage, over an in-game year. If their speaking tours are able to resonate with their audiences they may be able to make small gains over the course of the year, but it likely won't be enough time to significantly change the opinions of people who have long been very opposed to their viewpoint. (And if they come across pandering, condescending or insulting to their audiences, they may actually set their cause back.) These are just a couple examples. Virtually any in-game action, including public role-playing can affect people's perceptions, and therefore the sliders. The nation looks to you for leadership, and if they like what they see, will take their cues from you.

Additional points-

- While the issues list will be kept public, the scores for them will not. While polling data and stories will provide guidance on the mood the nation, making the 'hard' numbers public would make USG too scientific. That's not my aim with this.

- The list I maintain represents the nation as a whole. Scores may deviate some by region, at the discretion of that regional admin.

- Did something cool, made a great point in debate, issued an important PR, got a bill signed into law or even saw a political opponent do something dumb? PM me! I try to keep on top of everything happening IG, but I can't be everywhere. I may not say the effect of what you point out, but I will acknowledge it's receipt.

First off, please see the most recent elections announcements.

Now, concerning the sliders. I didn't see a whole lot of movement over the session, I think because people were so preoccupied with the budget and GM situations. So just a reminder, if you do something you think is worthy of attention, the best way to ensure it is seen is to PM me. Seriously, this is the one matter in which I do not mind spam. You have the ability to change the outlook of the nation, so use it! This is especially true for PACs, which wield significant power in affecting the views of the nation in their relevant fields.

And as long as I have your attention, why not check out this message from the Fraternal Order of Police, here.