NationStates Jolt Archive

When I RPed an economic collapse in my nation about 3-4 RL months ago, it was a ways back, nobody whined, nobody said, "But your calculator says this!" ( I was selling of army equipment left and right, closing bases, disbanding units, stuff like that)


When I RPed a recovery and then an upturn of about 50-60% caused by massive domesetic investment and government spending, some people moaned and whined, "How can you do that! Your calculator says this!" (building new army bases, expanding size, buying equipment, etc)


Is it just me or doesn't it really matter? As well as it is reasonable and RPed well should it matter what calculators say?



For one thing, I've noticed about the calculator, nations of my size with same tax rates and structure, but that are ANARCHY, are better than me and any other comprable Corporate Police States. How does ANARCHY make for a good economy, a good business? How can industry prosper when mobs are free to loot and riot, when there is no order, nothing?

That makes no sense to me.


In my experiences I've found the only calculator not biased against Corporate Police States to be here. http://members.fortunecity.com/thracetailteann/html/gnp.html


I'm just tired of people who log on the http://www.thirdgeek.com/nseconomy/

saying, "My economy is better than yours." I wonder "Why, because some site with a bias said so, eh?"

I think it's how you RP it, I've RPed ups and downs, and I'll keep RPing such regardless of what some calculator says, I just use that as a general guide for how things can be. I try not to hold fast to it, but if you're a nation with no armed forces spending on the calculator and you RP no spending, it's not logical to assume in one day you can raise a massive army, that sort of thing takes time.


But see, I've RPed schools and health care in my nation, the thirdgeek doesn't take that into account, not at all. So I basically feel it's pretty pointless to have something like that.


Another thing, I am tired of these nations with no appreciable armed forces (compared to me) thinking that because a calculator told them their GDP is better than me, they've got a better nation. See, it's easy to jump to a site and calculate things by typing in your nation name. It takes time to RP things out and say that is how you get where you are.

yes, you are right. its been a while since I've seen anyone make sense about thier economies, but you've put it down perfect.

Why is it that some VERY restricting issues should be the only way you can increase your economy, espiecally if your a active RPer. NS can't come up with everything. I know it wouldn't let my current form of goverment be in my nation's description.

SO, I have to agree with you: calcs don't prove anything. RP skills, do.

OOC:

Calculators are a tool, and if used properly can, I think, aid a roleplay rather than hinder it. If I’m not mistaken, part of the reason why calculators made their debut is because some purists who only count “roleplay ability” pull 1234567890 star destroyers out of their ass. They are a fairly rough gauge on how powerful a nation is compared to another – especially since everyone likes to focus on defence spending

And thirdgeek does take education into account. It’s just that in your case, Decisive, you don’t spend any government money in that area. It seems to work find for Alcona and Hubris and Midlonia (two nations in the FKC) just fine. Remember that education is an NS game issue and if you ignore or allocate funds elsewhere, then you don’t have much in the education budget.

“It takes time to RP things out and say that is how you get where you are.” I suppose. It comes down to how much time a person wants to devote to it. Establishing an “roleplay history” – especially in regards to “technological progress” does require a certain level of dedication which not all may want to do.

Ultimately, it comes down to roleplay preference and this kind of “debate” will never go away nor will anyone be truly satisfied.

Well, I see your point. I only every consider an economy calculator as a rough guide, very rough.
I have one been with people who deem them as worthless, and don't use them. And that is when people godmode their stuff. Like say a nation with a devloping, or even imploded economy, and they turn around and say they have a whole lot of troops, the logistical ability to put these troops anywhere, and even nuclear weapons. It's even worse when such a nation does it in their first month.
In that sense, I think they should be used.

But I do agree that RP skill is what matters. And quite frankly, I've been slowly working myself off of what the calculator says as a base, and working my nation out as I see fit, using a few dozen sources as refrences. I'm trying to keep it semi-realistic.. unfortunatly, not everyone does this, in fact, very few I come accross seem to.
But I'm new, so what do I know, heh.

I just dislike how they are all skewed to be favorable toward Capatalistic republics,

for example the UN has driven my tax rate to 100% therefore I RP my nation as a type of Communist nation,

it would take a bit of work to make a good calculator, but Im sure one could be made that takes other economic models and other governmental typed into account.

Thats the exact reason why I give Economic Calculators any weight. They don't take into account enough, particularly for nations whom have extreme circumstances.


Even as a Guide I still don't like them.

What irks me is that once you begin that long downward slide down into economic purgatory.. it is practically impossible to work your way out. Especially if you are a member of the United Nations and every other day you are being 4ss-rap3d becuase another ridiculous resolution was passed. Woo, today we are going to enact legislation to ban harbor seal bashing! I am a member and regional delegate, but I am on the verge of leaving the United Nations to seek greener pastures. I don't really follow the calculators, rather I use them as a guideline since I know damn well I cannot have zero resources allocated to my defence but $65 million is going to my law 7 order. Hell for that matter I can shift my defence to my all pervasive police force and make them an elite SWAT.

Here's another one:
http://www.sunsetrpg.com/economystatistics.php
It says my defense spending is at 0% yet my nation profile states my military spending is on the increase and i'm blowing millions of rats(money) into the development of orbital weapon platforms.

I simply refuse to take these calculators serious, cuz they obviously arent.

Here's another one:
http://www.sunsetrpg.com/economystatistics.php
It says my defense spending is at 0% yet my nation profile states my military spending is on the increase and i'm blowing millions of rats(money) into the development of orbital weapon platforms.

I simply refuse to take these calculators serious, cuz they obviously arent.
To be fair, that is due to the quirkiness of the game, not the calculator.