October's Member of the Month - Interview with Alpha Weapon (Alpha)

[Meier Link]

So it is that time again, sort of. Today is the day we take a few minutes out of our lives to appreciate one of our own and crown the months newest MotM for October. Due to some of the events that have happened last month (September) we were forced to put a hold on the MotM until this month. I volunteered to take over this month for Rocky, seeing he doesn’t have a solid connection to the internet but no fears Rocky will resume his control over this as soon as he possibly can. As stated in the last MotM (August) Alpha Weapon (now known as Alpha) was named to be the next MotM.

I have been asked on a few occasions; “Why does Alpha deserve this honorary title?” and to this I have and will respond: “Alpha has set a standard as to what a good new member should be, he has contributed to the forum and also helped in sparking an interest in the ID section of the forum. To me he is the model newer member and I would love to see more new members like him.”

So enough ranting from me here is the interview I was lucky enough to have the privilege to have with Alpha.

_________________


Meier Link: First off congrats on being the second official MotM at TFF! To keep in tradition: What is your first name, how old are you and how long have you been a member of The Final Fantasy Forums?

Alpha: My name's Richard, though my friends call me Rich ( or **** if they are being, well, dicks ), and my family often call me Richie ( which, incidentally, is what I call my main characters in RPGs ). I'm 19, and I've been a member of TFF since... June? Or was it April? Better check lol.

Meier Link: Well if it comes down to that kind of nitty gritty people can always check for you haha.

So how old where you when you first encountered a Final Fantasy game?

Alpha: I was 9, a few weeks off 10, at my best friend's 10th birthday party, where our rich friend got him a copy of Final Fantasy VIII, which had just come out. We put it in, got bored with the opening cinematic, and wondered how the Hell you initiated multiplayer. Needless to say, it wasn't really a party game, but I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the game, and so I bought my own copy of it for my birthday a few days later. Still remains my favorite.

Meier Link: Ahhh nice; so would you consider your self a fanboy to FFVIII by any means?

Alpha: Well, I play these games for game play and sceneries; two things Square are quite good at. I think VIII has some great locations, and I like how flexible the junction system is. So, yeah.

Meier Link: I see, well then do you consider graphics to be a big part of the game or do you consider them to be a perk so to speak?

Alpha: Graphics? Nah. I place them in the context of when the game came out. I would expect XIII to have amazing graphics now, but I can happily play the NES/SNES era games, especially as they have some great game play. That's why V is another of my favorites.

Meier Link: Ahhh, a good choice for one of your other favorites. So on to TFF, how did you stumble onto our little slice of heaven?

Alpha: I was in the middle of looking for help for FFIII on the DS, I think it was for trying to get the Mognet working. I just did the old Google search, and I think TFF was the third link. I joined to ask a question, and people seemed really eager to help, so I stayed initially in case I needed further FFIII help. It took me a week to discover the rest of the site, and now I don't visit the FF sections regularly at all. ID is where I hang. I found that there were some remarkably intelligent people there, and became attached to the place. I believe there was also a good debate about FFXII that I had with you Meier, do you remember? That was really interesting, and further solidified my interest. I'm not going back on until at least the 6th of November, if anyone's wondering. And i still haven't got Mognet working, (haha)

Meier Link: Well thanks for the FYI on your return date and it will be good to have you back. And yes I remember the fun times in the FFXII area; we need to continue on with those kinds of discussions haha.

So speaking of the ID forums would you consider your self to be of the highly opinionated side or would consider your self more on the conservative / factual side?

Alpha: Highly opinionated (haha), there are a few things that I'm not so sure on (free trade being the biggest), but, on the whole, I form opinions relatively quickly, and I'm eager to express them as firmly as possible. I like to debate things based on principles, but I don't try and separate my arguments from fact, either.

Meier Link: Very interesting. So in one of the threads on TFF you proclaimed yourself to be a "feminist" advocate, where did this state of mind stem from?

Alpha: (Haha) F***, “that” thread? I'm not sure if I can string this to any particular instance, I actually see it more as a 'cultural' thing. New Zealand's always been quite pro-feminist: we were the first country in the world to grant women the vote, for example, and we've had two female Prime Ministers. Further from this, I consider myself somewhat Socialistic, so I'm a big advocate of material equality, I suppose one could say. I see things like the fact that, in New Zealand, women get paid on average 82% of what men do, for similar work. So, for every ten dollars earned, on average, a woman would get $8.20. I think it's just a logical progression from other values that I hold, but as I've read and heard more about feminism, I've considered myself pro-feminist, and when I see things that don't accord with that, then I'm liable to get somewhat antsy.

Meier Link: Ahhh I see, it is good to see a male that will stand up for woman’s rights. Let’s get off the topic of TFF and get to know Alpha a little better.

So you are currently attending University, what did you decide on for a major?

Alpha: You shouldn't have asked, Meier, really. I began studying for an LLB ( Law ) and a BSc in Geology and Environmental Studies. I pulled out of Law before the first lecture, as I decided I didn't want to be stuck behind a desk for the rest of my life. I probably could've managed it, and have been on the way to a $100K salary, but I think there are more important things. So I was left with my BSc in Geology and Envrionmental Studies. Very quickly I became fed up with Geology. I still enjoy it, but it was taught so badly that I just got fed up. While doing these papers I had to take a Human Geography paper on Development Studies, which I thought was going to be a chore, but I really loved. I loved it so much that Human Geography replaced Geology (and Environmental Studies, which was meh ) as my BSc major. I'm now considering adding Statistics to my degree to make me at least somewhat employable, but that's not my concern, really. Considering I was given a scholarship to cover most of my fees for the first year, I was charged more in administration costs for changing my mind than I was for tuition! Crazy.

Meier Link: Maybe I should have haha, but it was well worth the ask.

Off the subject of schooling, what do you think is the most important aspect when looking for a counterpart for yourself?

Alpha: Someone I can be relaxed around is by far the most important thing. I can be pretty uptight and serious a lot of the time, but when I met my girlfriend (two years, and going strong), she changed me. I found myself in fits of laughter whenever we hung out, and she must've enjoyed my company too, because she agreed to go on a date (to dinner and a concert), and we're still a unit now. I've known her for almost three years now, so we've done a lot of growing up together. I can totally just let myself go around her, and talk about anything, and she never judges me. Quite simply, I'm completely in love with her. You might not be able to tell from looking, but she's a year and a half older than I am, so I think that might say something too.

Meier Link: Ahhh, I see. So I have to ask now and try to be as honest as possible. Seeing you didn't know her when you first met her, what physical traits drew you to her (we know it was the boobies haha)?

Alpha: Hmm.. honestly, her smile. She's quite shy around big groups of people (the context I got to know her in), and she was reluctant to show how she felt. When I managed to coax her smile out, I just thought it was amazingly cute. (haha yes, deep down, the boobies are great too)

Meier Link: (busted Alpha) As a child, what where some of your hobbies and do those hobbies still play a part of your life today?

Alpha: Nothing fantastic really. At school I spent most days in the sandpit, digging holes and placing twig and mud lids over them so people would fall into them haha. Great fun. I was a twat though, and got into a lot of trouble. Including this one time where this girl accused me of stalking her (complete bull****, but whatever), and narked to a teacher, so I just walked home at lunchtime haha. But neither stalking young girls or playing in the sand feature in my current day-to-day life, but who knows? Maybe that girl was on to something and I'm going to etch out an existence as the local stalker? Only time will tell.

Meier Link: So our last member of the month (ironically me) got to ask three questions he would like to know of you so here they are:

If you had a chance for one day to take over Admin powers at TFF what would you do?

Alpha: Are you expecting some kind of wild response here? If I was feeling adventurous, I'd go around changing people's usernames to piss them off and cause wild confusion. If you wanted a serious answer, then it still wouldn't be anything grand. I'd probably actually do some posting, and give more room for the "About Me" sections in profiles. Seriously, that would be a lot easier than including all that information in a signature and/or various thread scattered around the forum. There are "what music do you like" threads, "what game are you trying to complete", etc. when all of that could be put into a larger About Me section.

Meier Link: I see so you wouldn't be a power monger in the serious note, on the adventurous side that would be hilarious.

Question 2: If you could spend a day in any other TFFers shoes who would it be and why?

Alpha: Fah. I hate these types of questions. I'd rather just stick to my own life, thank you very much. But seeing as you asked, I'd probably take over the life of Sasquatch. See what it is that makes him tick. I don't think there is a single issue I agree with him on (actually, I would think he's pro-life too), and it would be interesting to see why. I assume there are logical reasons for holding such opinions, so spending a day as real-life Sasquatch would answer a few questions.

Meier Link: Hmmm an interesting pick but a good one at that.

And for the third one: where did your superior intellect come from?

Alpha: Haha yes I remember reading this question a while back. I hope I don't come across as superior in any way. I aim to just be a simple kind of man ( YouTube - Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man ). But I confess that I see myself as an academic. I mean I actually /enjoy/ going to classes... that's f***ed up right? Given that my parents are both English teachers, I've always been a voracious reader and had good study habits put into me. So I guess it just comes from hard work. Some people would probably dismiss me as a nerd, but that's only about a third right. How many nerds (used to - haven't in a long while - ) dance with Mary Jane while listening to Zeppelin at full blast?

Meier Link: Love that song and yes that is very messed up... (haha in jest). As for the last part, who knows maybe we could make a thread about it haha. Moving on though

Time for the speed round, fast question time. Ready?

Alpha: Go.
Meier Link: Alright: FFVII or FFIX?

Alpha: IX.
Meier Link: Save a mother or save a child?

Alpha: Child.
Meier Link: Good response. Summer or winter?

Alpha: Winter, by a country mile.
Meier Link: Shoes or sandals?

Alpha: Sandals, despite what I just said, (haha)
Meier Link: Men or women?

Alpha: Women.
Meier Link: Thought I had you with that last one.

Alpha: Not a chance.
Meier Link: Didn't figure I did (haha). Valentines Day or St. Patrick’s Day

Alpha: St. Patrick's Day - I'm half Irish
Meier Link: Ahhh I see. Scotland or Germany

Alpha: Scotland - I'm half Scottish
Meier Link: Dang hit home with the last two. American Football or the rest of the world Football?

Alpha: Rest of the world football, we call it soccer here.
Meier Link: Good to know. Vivi or Mog?

Alpha: Vivi, sad little chap
Meier Link: Ject or Seymour?

Alpha: Seymour
Meier Link: School or Pub?

Alpha: School, but the pub's always good too.
Meier Link: I have to agree fully. So we are going to wind down this inter view and there are only a few more questions to ask.

Alpha: Cool
Meier Link: And this next one is the important one for next month.

Keeping in the new tradition you get to name the next MotM, whom shall you choose?

Alpha: Firstly, if you can somehow manage to get Silver to come back, give it to him; he was really awesome, and his departure was unbelievably sudden. But as I, sadly, don't see that happening, RagnaToad, because he's bloody interesting,
Meier Link: So a big congrats to Rags then. Once again keeping in tradition, you get to ask 3 questions to that person. What are they?

Alpha: "As a student of European literature, who is you favorite writer, what is your favorite book of theirs, and why?" "As a European Liberal, how would you respond to the accusation of 'The Ancient Greek Development Vacuum': the assumption that the West developed in a vacuum (away from philosophical insights of Egypt and the Middle East), that it is the developmental model to be most celebrated, and that the non-West is a kind of intellectual wasteland? (See Martin Bernal's 'Black Athena')" "Who is your favorite band/musician, what is your favorite album of theirs, and why?" That covers literal, intellectual, and musical bases *content*

Meier Link: Alrighty congrats on being next months MotM in closing do you have any last words of wisdom or shout outs?

Alpha: Yeah, @Locke4God. I read that you think Keynesian economics is useless. On November the 6th (or slightly later, hangover permitting), prepare to face a tsunami of Keynesian abuse. It's one thing to say you have reservations about it, but another to declare it defunct. You have been warned.
Meier Link: Hmm, a very interesting statement. Well that concludes our interview, thank you Alpha for your time!

Alpha: No, thank you for making me MotM Meier, I really did not see it coming!

Meier Link: (Haha) Well as I see it is deserved.

_________________

Due to a conflict of class schedules Alpha will not be able to respond to questions until he returns on Nov. 6th but still free to ask and congratulate him, he has promised he will respond to every question that is asked of him upon his return to TFF. Also I will keep this thread open until Nov. 10th to give him a chance to properly respond to everyone.

Congrats again Alpha.

[RamesesII]

Once again a great interview, very thoroughly enjoyed reading it and finding out more about TFF members. Congratulations to Alpha and of course to Ragnatoad.
Just a couple of questions from me for Alpha when he gets back, Firstly i know you see yourself as an academic now but did you ever see your self doing what you were doing now back then, i mean obviously you embraced education and academic studies but was that your plan from the beginning? And second i myself like to read a copious amount of books and literature so i just wanted to know what is some of your favorite material that you enjoy perusing?

[Govinda]

If it's alright, I'd like to know what you want to do in the future? You said no desks, and you're into developmental/human geography, and that you seek material equality...do I smell a career in an NGO outpost? I'm interested. And that was a nice interview to read.

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by Meier Link

Meier Link: Ahhh, I see. So I have to ask now and try to be as honest as possible. Seeing you didn't know her when you first met her, what physical traits drew you to her (we know it was the boobies haha)?

Alpha: Hmm.. honestly, her smile. She's quite shy around big groups of people (the context I got to know her in), and she was reluctant to show how she felt. When I managed to coax her smile out, I just thought it was amazingly cute. (haha yes, deep down, the boobies are great too)

Meier Link: (busted Alpha) As a child, what where some of your hobbies and do those hobbies still play a part of your life today?

I do recall you telling me you would edit out those parts haha

Due to a conflict of class schedules Alpha will not be able to respond to questions until he returns on Nov. 6th but still free to ask and congratulate him, he has promised he will respond to every question that is asked of him upon his return to TFF. Also I will keep this thread open until Nov. 10th to give him a chance to properly respond to everyone.

Currently suffering from fatigue, I'm back (very) briefly.

Originally Posted by RamesesII

Firstly i know you see yourself as an academic now but did you ever see your self doing what you were doing now back then, i mean obviously you embraced education and academic studies but was that your plan from the beginning?

No, I was a total rascal until I was about 10, 11, 12 (transition). Strangely enough, this is the age when I first got into video games (which I was subsequently addicted to until age 15). Video games = better at school, at least for me. I never 'planned' any of it, though good results are obviously my aim now, and so far I'm getting those, too.

And second i myself like to read a copious amount of books and literature so i just wanted to know what is some of your favorite material that you enjoy perusing?

Bonus points for using the word "perusing". By favourite book is Mario Puzo's The Godfather. The book is far superior to the films, and I love the films. If you've never read it though, it's pretty graphic, especially with regards to Sonny and his, er, 'love life'. Generally though, I've been getting more into non-fiction, which I suppose comes with the territory of university (and especially geography; which one of my lecturers calls "the study of everything"). In this regard, my favourite text is Michael King's The Penguin History of New Zealand, and several other local and international history texts. I've tried reading a few of the so-called 'classics' of Western society, such as Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations (possibly the most racist and un-ecologic books I have ever read), and I also thoroughly recommend anything by Noam Chomsky.

Originally Posted by Govinda

If it's alright, I'd like to know what you want to do in the future? You said no desks, and you're into developmental/human geography, and that you seek material equality...do I smell a career in an NGO outpost? I'm interested. And that was a nice interview to read.

An NGO outpost would be ideal (theoretically). My International Relations lecturer, however, has somewhat shattered any desire for that. He used to work in development, under Jeffrey Sachs, and said that he was getting a six-figure salary in sub-Saharan Africa - the poorest region on Earth. He says it is nothing like it is portrayed. In light of this, I think I would like some kind of research position, potentially in a university, which is why I'm pursuing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Applied Statistics next year (while trying to keep up with geography, development studies, (some) environmental studies, economics and politics (in that order of importance)... phew-ee)

[Che]

Another great interview with a very interesting person. As always, it's good to dig deeper into our TFF members to really get at what kind of a person they are. Good read.

Also, great pick for the next member of the month. Another very interesting person.

[RagnaToad]

Great interview, Meier.

Really good questions and the balance between FF/TFF related stuff and personal/real life stuff is almost perfect.

Also, I love how you brought up the feminist thing.

And nice to see I've been chosen.

to... SAVE... THE... WORLD!!!

Or to answer some questions. Whatever.

Ironically, that second question is not nearly as hard as the third question, Alpha. Plus, I have something to tell you concerning the first question. Though it's not nearly as intriguing as I'm making it sound.

[Alpha]

Are we waiting until the end of the month, or will the interview happen soon? No rush, just wondering.

And in case you were wondering about the second question, Rags (although it sounds like you're in the know), here: Black Athena - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia