NOTE: please forgive me, as I've been posting a variety of places and not sending these newsletters out as I could/should be. In fact, it's possible the last time you saw a newsletter from me was Election Day two years ago. Sheesh.
Let's talk about that another time? And if you'd like to see some more of my more-recent sporadic writing, you can follow me on player.gg. But I will be back here soon, and if you'd like me to stay in your inbox, please reply and let me know :)
Now, on to the message at hand 🖤💛
If you live here in the United States, then it's Election Day today. And if you haven't had someone reach out and encourage you to vote yet, then please allow me to be the first:
PLEASE GO VOTE!
In games, we're usually one person with overwhelming power. That power might start small: a basic fire spell, a simple sword, a single tool to help us navigate a mystery. We keep playing the game, knowing that as we progress, we'll get stronger: we get new abilities, new tools, maybe even new party members that will help us take on more and more challenging foes. Games are designed for us to have the power necessary to right the wrongs in the world all on our own.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is not the world we live in. None of us can save the world alone, no matter how hard we grind. We have to come together. And voting is just one of those ways to come together, but it's an important one.
I'm not one of those people who thinks that voting will solve everything. Hell, I don't know that voting solves most things. But I DO believe in using the power that you have to try and make a better world.
If you have the right and the ability to vote, then you have power. Use it, help make the world better for yourself and others.
Keep in mind that this is about WAY MORE than just the Federal government: there are Governor's races and state and local elections too. Those people shape the world around you directly: how much money goes into your local schools, your libraries, your fire departments. Local ballot initiatives can allocate funds for resources like job training programs, community colleges, parks, and more.
Winners in local elections determine who can reject deals for surveillance cameras on your street, data centers in your town. They're the people who can protect access to safe, legal abortions, defend trans people and make sure they get healthcare. They can create systems of accountability for law enforcement agencies or enact policies that try to protect immigrants from being kidnapped in broad daylight without even having committed a crime.
They can also do the opposite.
Voting can't and won't solve all our problems. But it's one tool, one power in the skill sheet. And aside from voting directly, you can encourage others, volunteer at polling places, or monitor polls and report intimidation or harassment. There are probably lots of other things you can do too.
Today's a day to use your power for good. Take one step, even a small one, that's a little outside the norm. Grind that "Make a Difference" EXP.
And again, if you can: VOTE.
If you need help or information making choices, try finding some local voting guides on social media or the like. A couple great examples are Bitchtucci's Voter's Guide for folks in the Portland, OR area, or Girl, I Guess in the Chicago, IL area.
Keep your eyes up and your hearts open, Intelligamers. 🖤💛
-Josh
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