2018 in the MicroWiki community

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MicroWikia dropped its claim as the "true MicroWiki" on 31 October, ending an almost six-year long dispute.

2018 (MMXVIII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2018th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 18th year of the 3rd millennium, the 18th year of the 21st century, and the 9th of the 2010s decade, succeeding 2017 and preceding 2019. Marking the thirteenth year since MicroWiki's initial foundation, the year began in the Stagnant Era, through the High Stagnant to Late Stagnant periods, and ended during the Discord Era that began on 17 September, with the creation of MicroWiki@Discord.

The first half of 2018 saw an all-time low in overall activity within the community, on the MicroWiki Forums and Skype chatrooms, continuing the trend which began in 2017, dubbing the period between 4 May 2017 and 17 September 2018 as the "Stagnant Era". Before the creation of MicroWiki@Discord, the Grand Unified Micronational was largely inactive, with concerns being raised about its future, and a similar problem of limited participation met several prominent micronations, including the once active Abelden, leading to the abdication of Emperor Stephen Freayth on 25 March, after serving for three years, and also his successor Nicholas I on 15 June. After several micronationalists turned to Discord instead, in an initiative led by Anthony Clark, the MicroWiki administration created MicroWiki@Discord as an official Discord server for the community. It immediately became exceptionally popular, quickly becoming the largest micronational Discord server, with the administration encouraging a move to the Discord by advertising it in the otherwise inactive Skype rooms, with even the Grand Unified Micronational transferring to Discord in November.

2018 was also categorised for its arrival of many newer micronations, known as the "2018 intake", some of which eventually pioneered and played large parts in the community transition to Discord, most prominently the "B3"–Iustus Millania and Posaf–, with others also including the nations Aenderia, Alperia, Duke, Gymnasium State, Kaion, and Occitania. Essexia and Hrafnarfjall are also frequently included in the 2018 intake, though neither were considered as influential until early to mid-2019. Other influential micronations included Aariania, Abelden, Adammia, Amissopia, Austenasia, Jupiter, New Westphalia and Shorewell among others.[citation needed] Meanwhile, MicroWiki grew to 14,000 articles, 68,000 pages and hit 4,500 registered users. MicroWiki also reached 50 "good articles" (GA)–articles which are determined by MicroWiki's editors as the best articles on the site. Four micronational summits were held in 2018, including the first summit to be held in Mexico, tied for the most of any year alongside 2019.

Politics, diplomacy and conflicts

The Wrythe Convention (unveiled on 15 September) received 38 signatories by the end of the year

Notable political and diplomatic events included:

  • 6 January: 2018 Austenasian Constitutional Referendum
  • 21–22 April: 2018 Alexander crisis
  • 4–6 June: 2018 Pinang political crisis - A crisis in the First Republic of Pinang that began after the President accused the Minister of Foreign Affairs of organising a revolution. It ended after three trials took place.
  • 30 June–7 July: Grand Unified Micronational election, June 2018 - The election saw Emperor Adam I of Adammia elected as the 28th Chair of the GUM, winning with 6 (85.7%) votes. The turnout was 43.8%.
  • 15 September: The ratification of the Wrythe Convention - The convention that condemns sockpuppeting, identity theft, and false claims within micronationalism was signed in-person by representatives from several micronations at Wrythe. By the end of the year, the convention reached 38 signatories. As of February 2021, it now sits at almost 80.
  • 17 September: Launch of MicroWiki@Discord - In an initiative led by Anthony Clark, the MicroWiki administration created MicroWiki@Discord as an official Discord server for the community. It immediately became exceptionally popular, becoming the largest micronational Discord server. This coincided with a significant drop in the activity of the Skype chatrooms, leading to the administration encouraging a move to the Discord by advertising it in the otherwise inactive Skype rooms, with even the Grand Unified Micronational transferring to Discord.
  • 31 October: MicroWikia drops its claim as the "true MicroWiki" - Jonathan I of Austenasia persuaded the community to officially change its name to MicroNations Fandom, formally renouncing its claim to be the "true MicroWiki", and ending the dispute that had been ongoing since April 2012.
  • September: It was discovered by Nicholas Randouler et al. that the micronation the Principality of Andany and most of its achievements were almost entirely fabricated or exaggerated by its leader, Pablo Macias. This eventually led to Macias leaving the community.

Summits

Attendees of the second MicroFrancophonie summit

The 2018 Micronational Summit of São Paulo was the second summit to be hosted in the Lusophone Sector. It took place in São Paulo, Brazil on 4 February, and had 4 attendees, each representing a micronation. The goal was to promote the practice of micronationalism and bring together the leaders of already established micronations. The Carolina Confederation Conference took place in Raleigh, North Carolina on 28 April, and had 3 attendees, each representing a nation. MicroFrancophonie hosted a second summit between 21–22 July, in Vincennes, France. Hosted by the Empire of Angyalistan, it had 17 attendees from 12 micronations. The Summit Upon the Seas took place between 21–24 October onboard the Carnival Imagination cruise ship on international waters and Ensenada, Mexico, making it the first summit to be held on international waters and in Mexico. The summit was organised by King Timothy of Shiloh as part of the tenth anniversary celebration of the Kingdom of Shiloh's independence, and had 7 attendees from 3 micronations.

Micronationalists

Eli Avivi (left) (1930–2018) and Emperor Grandmother Joyce (1922–2018)

"Community leaders"

According to the History of the MicroWiki community article, the "community leaders" were site owner Jonathan I, Emperor of Austenasia, Adam I of Adammia, Adam I of Überstadt, Anthony Clark, Shamus I and Shrio.

Outside of the community leaders, 2018 was also categorised for its arrival of many newer micronations, known as the "2018 intake", some of which eventually pioneered and played large parts in the community transition to Discord, most prominently the "B3"–Iustus, Millania and Posaf, mainly represented by Ashley Jaax, Nicolás Millán and Nicholas Randouler respectively.

Deaths

Micronations

2018 was categorised for its arrival of many newer micronations, known as the "2018 intake", some of which eventually pioneered and played large parts in the community transition to Discord, most prominently the "B3"–Iustus, Millania and Posaf–, with others also including the nations Aenderia, Alperia, Duke, Gymnasium State, Kaion, and Occitania. Essexia and Hrafnarfjall are also frequently included in the 2018 intake, though neither were considered as influential until early to mid-2019. Other influential micronations included Aariania, Abelden, Adammia, Amissopia, Austenasia, Jupiter, New Westphalia and Shorewell among others.[citation needed]

Foundations

MicroWiki

Jonathan I of Austenasia remained the site owner for a fourth year

MicroWiki grew to 14,000 articles, 68,000 pages and hit 4,500 registered users. MicroWiki also reached 50 "good articles" (GA)–articles which are determined by MicroWiki's editors as the best articles on the site. Jonathan I, Emperor of Austenasia remained the site owner of MicroWiki for his fourth year. Wiki admins who continued serving were User:Brooke (Brooklyn Hewitt) for his fourth year and User:Überstadt (Adam I of Überstadt), User:Cip (Ciprian of Juclandia) for their third years, and User:Jacob (Eren) Lewis (Elizabeth Lewis) for her first year, and tech admins User:Sebastian Linden (Sebastian Linden) for his fifth year and User:Luxor (Karl Friedrich) for his third year. User:AnthonyClark became a wiki admin in June, replacing User:Twain (Henry Clément). Notably, MicroWiki did not celebrate April Fools'—an annual tradition on MicroWiki–for this year.

Sports

The Micronational Olympic Federation was founded on 7 January by Posaf, and soon the 2018 MOF Games took place between 15–26 February. It included six games and six national honours, such as Best Flag, and was received very positively, leading to a massive growth of the federation, after initial criticism from Pablo Machias of the Micronational Olympic Group, however it was later revealed that the nation of Andany was fabricated and as were the 2018 Micronational Games. Several virtual football tournaments were also held, including the inaugural 2018 II Virtual Posaf Football League season and inaugural 2018 Micronations World Cup.

Culture and media

Dominus attacks the Elven Emperor in Cool Barbie XV - The Final Battle, released on 24 December

In March, Henry Clémens announced his intent to depart from the micronational community, and in effect, the Diarchy's second album - meant to be entitled Journals - was rushed out as a demo compilation entitled Sketches and Demos for "Journals". It was released in May. The final episode of Cool Barbie, Cool Barbie XV - The Final Battle was released on 24 December.

Journalism

Admin approved publications to the MicroWiki headlines on the main page in 2018 include Abeldane Telegraph, The Acteriendian Evening Standard, Amaburg Times, Amerston Post, The Custodian, Eskhavn Guardian, The Glastieven, Iustian Times, New Richmond Herald, The Principality of Domanglia (publication), Quo Times and the Sycamorean Broadcasting Center.

See also