Lacuna Populi

Lacuna Populi (latin for words of the people) is a publication with the intent to present various viewpoints on matters that affect the nations of CN as a collection of scholarly writings. The first volume draws exclusively from Vox Populi for its content, but submission of articles from anyone is encouraged. It is intended to be a biweekly publication, though it is content driven so there are no guarantees.

Volume I

 * Link

The Power Superstructure

 * By Schattenmann

I. Introduction During my involvement with the Vox Populi movement, I have coined and begun to use a term, Power Superstructure, which may seem to simply put a new face on old terms like hegemony or old concepts like boredom or lack of competition; however, the Power Superstructure holds depth and width of meaning far beyond these related or predecessor terms. Once defined, the Power Superstructure concept is understood to hold sway over nearly all Digiterran facets; from the way individuals define themselves to the reason alliances go to war. '''II. Linguistic Mechanics''' In our bold new Digiterran landscape, old words and terms take on new meanings, and new ones crop up to define our world; so how do we define and use this new term Power Superstructure? a. Definition. The Power Superstructure is an overarching political system which utilizes the several Control Structures upon which it is built to influence global events to the fulfillment of its Dual Nature. i. The Control Structures are Alliances, the MDP Web, one Super-Bloc, Team Senates, and Influential Individuals ii. The superstructure’s Dual Nature is self-replication and self-preservation. iii. The Means of Control are the tools with which Control Structures fulfill the Dual Nature. They are: Information, Communication, War/Threat of War, Aid, Sanctions, Treaties, Morality, and Extradigiterrestrial Measures b. Usage. Due to the superstructure’s inextricability from its structures, one might easily reference it erroneously. A “superstructure” is always atop many supporting structures and cannot exist without them; however, that dependence is not reciprocated—the Power Superstructure is no different. As such, when a Control Structure is in play, it is only said to be a superstructure action where the Dual Nature is being served. For example, an alliance can go to war with another alliance, but that war is only said to be a result of Power Superstructure influence if that war ultimately replicates or preserves the superstructure in some way; therefore, not all war is a superstructure action, only war which serves the Dual Nature. The same test is applicable to all exertions of power by a Control Structure.

Anti-Imperialism aka "Voxism"

 * By MegaAros

As you have no doubt noted by now, Pacifica and Vox are two organizations that are vehemently, ideologically opposed to one another. Our philosophies being no exception. While Mobuis_1 attempted to unite our two outlooks under Francoism, he ultimately perverted Francoism in ways unimaginable, and skewed the idea so much so that it would be the most ridiculous thing ever published. No, Vox has its own philosophy, one that is entirely on the opposite side of the spectrum.

We have read tons of works which refer to “Francoism” a philosophy which deals with the absurdity of the nation existing within the state of nature, and thus, why nations must rid themselves of the natural, anarchic, state. In essence, the philosophy’s main point is this: If you want to build up your nation, join Pacifica, since if you do not, you will be tech raided, not have guides, etc, etc.

The main purposes of Francoism are obviously utilitarian and pragmatic. It exists for the sole purpose of building a nation up, and making it as perfect as possible. It exists so that the physical well-being of the nation is kept.

The Francoist mindset is that a perfect world may be created if all nations withdraw from the state of nature, join under the Emperor of the Order, and then, proceed to build up their nations. Then, through use of mutual protection, these nations protect one another from any and all outside force. Of course, in the perfect Francoist world, there is no outside force, as they have all joined Pacifica, or at the very least, allied with them.

If Francoism does indeed create the perfect world, suffering is eliminated. All nations will build up, and will keep building up. The non-existence of threats will not deter the building of nations. As they build without challenge, they will reach incredible heights. 20k infrastructure, and more will eventually be reached. All nations that have the ability to keep building, will build up to these levels. All nations that continue to exist will reach levels that were formerly unimaginable. Newer nations will begin at low levels, but with even a slight resolve, will grow to those unforeseen heights.

But this growth will mean nothing. These stats will mean nothing. Without the fragility that formally existed to challenge this growth, without an outside force to actually challenge the nation, the stats become meaningless. There is no reason to have them other than an empty feeling of compensation for having existed for as long as you have. An one hundred year old man with no actual accomplishments, as it were.

Happiness, art, triumph, glory, and strength, can only be achieved via suffering. We are happy when we overcome an obstacle. We create art out of our suffering. We triumph over challenges, and receive glory. These obstacles then add to our strength, for what does not kill us, only serves to strengthen us. Polaris is clear proof of that. Pacifica and Polaris post GWI, was clear proof of that.

Therefore, the first tenant of Voxism is that suffering must exist, and that preferably, it exists in equal measure to pleasure. The creation of super-hegemonies to counter suffering, are nothing but limiters to this goal.

This brings me to why Francoism itself is an intolerable philosophy. As we can see, Francoism is nothing but the maintaining of stats and of the nature of growth of nations. It precludes nothing more. It is a physical, meaningless existence. By creating, or attempting to create, a perfect world, Francoism destroys all meaning in two ways. First, it reduces to world to the physical strength of nations, and second, it creates limits which should not exist.

Therefore, instead of focusing on nothing but their physical existence, the nations of Vox, or nations following Voxism have the responsibility of putting ideals first, before physical existence. In doing so, Voxism nations refuse to enter the Social Contract that is Francoism, and thus, forcibly create an opposition to that of the Perfect world.

This is not to say that Pacifica doesn’t create suffering. No, it does indeed inflict suffering on those that are much weaker than it, with the intention of removing those from the world entirely, OR, as we saw with Legion, forcing them to side with Pacifica, thus adding to the creation of the perfect world. Pacifica creates suffering as a means to the end of ending suffering. This end must be avoided at all costs.

It should also be noted that this suffering doesn’t exist in a method that could threaten Pacifica. It does not exist in equal measure to pleasure. This in turn still allows Pacifica to act with net benefits achieved, which will slowly end suffering as we know it.

Therefore, for the sake of this world to maintain its meaning, we must act. All of us must act. Our physical well being of our nations is irrelevant. If we have no meaning, is suicide not permissible? If we have no meaning, then why should we continue to live? So, for the sake of our existence, we must rebel.

Life in itself is rebellion.

How Vox is Winning the War

 * By Nintenderek

Many times a day, jokes are made on IRC and the forums about Vox Populi. When newcomers to the Cybernations forums make topics asking which alliance to join, people tell them Vox Populi, so that they may lose their pixels. The people are ignorant of the fact that Vox Populi is indeed winning the current war.

First off, I must quote Vladmir, “What is it to win? To achieve your original goals?” from his document on The Great Patriotic War, also known as Great War 1. He later goes on about this in the same essay, “What about the Orders' original goals? Given the discussion with GATO and the ODN mentioned in the previous section, it was explicitly to teach LUE a lesson, if not destroy them completely, and this has never been denied. Were they punished? The fact that it is difficult to say would suggest not as much as the Orders would have liked. While their strength plummeted and a wave of defeatism washed over them in the early days, arguably 'teaching them a lesson' about what they did, they nevertheless emerged as a centre-point in the coaluetion and built up a significant influence as a result -- something that was perhaps more important to them. If the war had gone on there is little doubt in my mind that LUE would have been left to fight alone and would have been destroyed, but this isn't what occurred, as the Order took the strategic option and instead destroyed them some 6 months later.”

Indeed, Vladmir has solid points for why the Orders won that war, but how can it compare to this one? This battle, this war of ideologies. If Vladmir’s point holds solid, is Vox winning the current war?

From a statistical standpoint, Vox Populi is indeed losing this war. Many of the Vox Populi soldiers have bled and died for their nations and alliances. Many nations of Vox Populi have lost most of their infrastructure, and Vox Populi has very little total nation strength, exactly 162,327 as of the time of this being written, compared to 21,490,433, with just the New Pacific Order alone, not counting all of their allies which are also against Vox Populi.

But statistics mean very little in war, as the side with less causalities or more NS can often surrender for various reasons. What matters are the goals, as Vladmir has stated in The Great Patriotic War and You. Vox Populi has had many goals during it’s life time. It took a red senate seat. It gained almost 300 members in under a week. It has formed a government from anarchy. It has infiltrated many of the TOP alliances, including most of the sanctioned ones. It has shown many people the light, and brought many people to the realization that the Global Hegemony needs to go.

But what of the Order’s goals? What of the goals of the Global Hegemony? They have had but one goal all along, as Moo made clear in this statement from August 28th, 2008.

“The People's Government has recently outlawed the existence of the terrorist group known as Vox Populi. The bombing will begin in five minutes.”

Their goal has been to eliminate us all along. But we are alive. Vox Populi still exists. They have not fulfilled their goals in this ideological war. As such, under their own logic, Vox Populi is winning this war.

Vox Populi still exists to this day. Only if Vox Populi ceases to exist will the New Pacific Order ever win this war. Our goals have been accomplished, with our ultimate goal still being worked on. So, members of Planet Bob, make your jokes of Vox being a failure and keep telling the people you dislike to join Vox. Vox is winning the Vox Resistance movement under the Order’s own logic. Vox still exists, ready to finally win this final war for the Order.