JREF Community now more populous than 11 countries

[misa.j]

I think we should all go to 'SEALAND'.

http://www.sealandgov.org/index.html

[lexico]

I think we should all go to 'SEALAND'.

http://www.sealandgov.org/index.html

At first I (thought) it was a joke. After reading the facts, it appears that the place called Sealand is a legitimate nation with at least some international recognition. I couldn't verify Sealand on my maps, but maybe it's because the fortress is so tiny. They talk about 300 some official passports having been issued, but looking at the photographs, http://www.fruitsofthesea.demon.co.u...d/gallery.html it doesn't look like it can accomodate every passport holder at the same time at least for now. However, they could take turns, or even better, raise a high rise some time in the future to make that possible. As for accomodating 8,000+ Jrefians (Jreflanders,) I really don't know what to say. Should Sealand and Jrefland be able to negotiate some kind of merger, I would be interested to see how the eventual terms are hammered out. Yeah, that was a mind blower, Misa.J! Nice find, you deserve an award for excellent scouting service for Jrefland, I (think.)

[Maciamo]

I think we should all go to 'SEALAND'.

http://www.sealandgov.org/index.html

Very interesting indeed. The location of Sealand is ideal, between England and the Benelux, just where I come from ! I do not like very much the looks of teh fortress thogh, and I also dislike the fact that it is a principality, which makes it look less democratic. (one of the main reason for me to secede from the UK or a Benelux country is justly the monarchy thing).

Anyhow, JREFLand's population exceeds that of Sealand by 30 times and is growing much faster.

I was thinking about the passport and nationality issue, and for practical reasons, we should create a supra-nationality, like that of the EU, that does not replace the previous nationality, but comes over it and acts as a sense of unity for those citizens from various cultural and geographical backgrounds.

As any country or organization, JREFLand also needs a flag, capital (or HQ) and possibly anthem too.

The anthem does not have to be original or composed by us. The EU's national anthem is Beethoven's 9th symphony, for example. We could choose one from classical music. Beethoven was chosen for his Europeanness (his roots are in Belgium, but he was born in Germany and lived and worked mostly in Austria, while supporting the ideals of the French Revolution). As most people have only one nationality, and most classical composers are European, it may be easier to select the music based on the feelings it conveys (Beethoven's 9th symphony was chosen because it is based on Schiller's Ode to Joy that refers to the brotherhood between humans around the world).

I was thinking (without much reflection) about Dvorak's 9th symphony From the New World, which is the most international music I know in inspirations (read article in link), and is futuristic in its approach.

The current HQ of JREF(Land) is in Tokyo. Like Disneyland, it is conveniently located in relative isolation (although in the centre) by the Tokyo Bay.

I merged the EU and Japan flags below. The blue, white and red also reminds of the USA. The 2nd flag are the 12 EU stars in white and red like the flag of Japan. Why the EU in JREF ? Because we are planning to extend JREF to the Europe as well. I ma now working on EUpedia with this in mind.

[lexico]

I'm impressed by how quick you were able to come up with all these ideas.
Quite overwhelming indeed.
As for the flag, I would vote for the one on the left because of its color symbolism. The sun of course, with water all around it very closely reflects a creation myth. The twleve stars can represent the perfect astoronomical cyle, and all the peoples of the earth by extendison of it.
Great work, Maciamo!

Looking at your EUpedia site, (Contratulations btw!) I had this one question. How will the binding theme of "all things that are Japan" be modified as you expand to the new "territories?"

[Maciamo]

I'm impressed by how quick you were able to come up with all these ideas.
Quite overwhelming indeed.

hehe, I have a good imagination.

Looking at your EUpedia site, (Contratulations btw!) I had this one question. How will the binding theme of "all things that are Japan" be modified as you expand to the new "territories?"

Are you talking about the forum or the site as a whole ? I am not sure yet whether we should use this forum for EUpedia as well, or create a separate one (also for technical reasons, as it might get a bit heavy on the server). We could just create a Euro-Japanese site. I don't think we would change the atmosphere so much, as anyway the community is very international, and about 40% of the members are Americans (so for them, Europe and Japan are foreign cultures and potential travel destinations). For Europeans, it's always good to discuss the difference between themselves, as well as with Japanese, Americans, or others. We could eventaully cover the whole world, but that will take time (esp. that I am alone to write all the travel guide sections so far).

[lexico]

hehe, I have a good imagination.

So it was your imagination that brought you all the way around the globe!

Are you talking about the forum or the site as a whole ? I am not sure yet whether we should use this forum for EUpedia as well, or create a separate one (also for technical reasons, as it might get a bit heavy on the server). We could just create a Euro-Japanese site. I don't think we would change the atmosphere so much, as anyway the community is very international, and about 40% of the members are Americans (so for them, Europe and Japan are foreign cultures and potential travel destinations). For Europeans, it's always good to discuss the difference between themselves, as well as with Japanese, Americans, or others. We could eventaully cover the whole world, but that will take time (esp. that I am alone to write all the travel guide sections so far).

I've barely begun to scratch the surface of the forum, much less the JREF. The best I can say is can you tell me about the forum first, b/c that what I presume to know better. Keeping the two sites independent makes sense, to keep the traffic manageable. Will people be able to talk cross forum without switching -- a silly question. That would not make sense, would it? But if the two groups don't talk, the smelting pot effect may not be kick in. I wonder how it will turn out. I'm surprised you've done the basic work on your own. Well I must say, fine job!
Wish you smooth writing...

[RockLee]

Nice site maciamo ! if u need pics of belgium, ask ! I'm living here remember

[Maciamo]

So it was your imagination that brought you all the way around the globe!

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the flags and other JREFLand ideas.

Will people be able to talk cross forum without switching -- a silly question. That would not make sense, would it? But if the two groups don't talk, the smelting pot effect may not be kick in. I wonder how it will turn out.

I also considered this, so I think it is better to fuse both communities. Ideally, I'd like that users be able to choose to see the "new posts" either for Japan, or for Europe (or both), but Thomas has to tackle this kind of technical issues, and I am not sure whether it is possible at all or not.

What we could do is separate the picture galleries for Japan and Europe - but that requires to purchase yet another new licence...

[lexico]

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the flags and other JREFLand ideas. :

Well that, too, Maciamo. But then my imagination kicked in, from the flag and the rest to Wanderlust! I'm the one who should be sorry! :

I also considered this, so I think it is better to fuse both communities. Ideally, I'd like that users be able to choose to see the "new posts" either for Japan, or for Europe (or both), but Thomas has to tackle this kind of technical issues, and I am not sure whether it is possible at all or not.

What we could do is separate the picture galleries for Japan and Europe - but that requires to purchase yet another new licence...

Wow, you got that thread going already. It sounds like a good concept, so let's hope, Thomas permitting, the funding shall be provided by then. Thank you, Maciamo. I gave you some hard time, didn't I!