SimDem Star Issue No. 1 21st Dec 25
SimDem Star Issue No. 1 | 21 Dec 25
Letter from the Editor — New Beginnings
When I first found out about the NEWS Act, the very piece of legislation which established this publication, I admittedly felt some apprehension. The idea of a state news organization is one that is chock full of nuance and controversy. But, like the Senate that passed the law, I gave it a chance and took on the mantle to serve as the SimDem News Agency’s first Chief Editor. I was incredibly honored by this responsibility and I accepted the position with a great deal of seriousness. I thought of this as a chance to use my undergraduate degree in communication which held a focus on journalism and media production. What better a way to use a fancy and expensive degree than a newspaper for a virtual democracy?
These past two weeks have been so gratifying. I’ve hired an amazing staff, a suite of talented journalists, artists, and editors who are the very heart and soul of this paper. This would be nothing without them and I am forever grateful for their hard work and talents. I’d like to name everyone involved with this issue specifically. Thank you to my Deputy Editor Lucas, to my Associate Editors Muggy and Rein, to my Journalists Gato, Budo, Fede M, and to my Comic Artist Miln. I’d like to offer a special shout of gratitude to Delarosa, who serves in all of these functions. She is an editor, a journalist, and a comic artist. She has stepped up far above and beyond what was expected of her and I cannot envision this paper coming together without her. Thank you, everyone. I had high expectations for this issue, and I found them met with ease. This was a clear labor of love from everyone involved, and it will only get better from here. I consider this to be my highest achievement within SimDemocracy and I hope that is apparent throughout these articles.
I’d like to also issue a warm welcome to those who have joined us in SimDemocracy recently. I hope this issue helps you realize some of the things we get up to here in SimDem. We’re a chill place most of the time, thank you for joining us. Be sure to check out the new user guide! It’s helpful, I promise!
Thymus Vulgaris (thymaerys)
Editor in Chief | SimDem Star
NEWS — Investigative | The Cost of Political Toxicity in SimDem
Retired LDP politician, Bill 'Rocky' Moor, forwarded a message from Fede M's editorial news post criticizing Matt Cheney's presidency, in which Cheney criticizes the post, saying, "LDP used to be better at this kind of stuff, it's gotten pretty see-through lately". Rocky forwarded this message in the general channel of SimDemocracy and replied by saying "thank you for the compliment”.
Matty then replied by saying "also ig it's a compliment if u like being corrupt, which given ur history ik is true”. Rocky then defended himself by saying that he isn't corrupt. This conversation further spiraled into both sides being mean to each other, and it got worse when Kelvin mentioned that Matty was committing dereliction of duty by not appointing a VP. In Matty's defence, his previous 3 VP appointments had failed, so he was extremely frustrated.
Later, NotcCom, Mythrows, and Fede Mercuri had joined the heated conversation in favour of Rocky, but at this point, it wasn't a Matty vs Rocky, it was more partisan than anything. While Matty had already stated that he was gonna leave Simdem after his presidential term, this heated conversation appears to be a major factor for his early resignation, which resulted in the speaker (Emi) becoming the president. We must strive for a SimDem where politics is more about fun than toxicity.
Budo (budo_1)
Journalist | SimDem Star
NEWS — Senate Coverage | Quiet People, Revolving Doors
The senate has never been the best liked institution, but discourse around it has gotten strangely quiet and less and less political.
Everything comes and goes, even legislatures. Another senate term flies by without the populace taking note of much, except for the perennial bickers with the judiciary. At the start of autumn, legislation and senators were very politicized. Discussion was often rooted in different ideological views. Perhaps, the most evident landmark was *No Harm No Foul*, from a faraway time in September.
As time has gone on, legislation has gotten quieter, more anonymous, and administrative. People used to talk about the senate a lot, and they used to talk bad about it. Now, approval polling suggests that a majority of the general populace approves of the Senate.
Looking at this very last Senate, the 156th, we can see a bunch of legislation passing with flying colors or getting rejected almost unanimously. The problem being that the Senators also seemed to fly through the process and right out the door. Five Countbacks, at the time of writing, were seen in a single term. This is the most there has been, but it’s the culmination of a trend.
Every senate since the 151st included has had at least one countback. Most times, this was because of senators getting jobs in the executive. If some things are clear from this, they are that presidents want senators in the cabinet, and that the cabinet is more attractive than the senate.
But why is that? Well, for the first question, I think that the answer is that Simdemocracy is facing a scarcity of qualified people, and those elected to the senate tend to fit the character of people that also fit the executive, almost ontologically. The second question is more interesting, and the most reasonable answer seems to be a lack of incisiveness by the senate.
Secretaries dictate the direction of certain areas of Simdemocracy, and whilst the senate theoretically steers the ship as a whole, individual senators often don’t manage to leave as much of a lasting impact. People who want to change Simdemocracy have a much easier time doing this from the executive.
This leads to a vicious cycle. Candidates with visions of reform get sucked into the executive, and the new senators struggle to fill that void. This can be evidenced by the great number of candidates who have left the senate to the executive, and the only law I find to be somewhat remarkable was an amendment to Border Law, meant to increase the due process at the border.
The Senate’s function is central and a key part of Simdemocracy. The newfound anonymity of the senate risks watering down Simdemocracy as a whole.
Fede M (mercury_fede)
Journalist | SimDem Star
NEWS — Judicial Coverage | SimDemocracy’s Bush v Gore!
On the 30th of November, one of the most interesting results of a Presidential Election ever was announced. Just before announcing the results, the election commission official made a short statement, “We had an invalid suit become valid and it changed the election result”. This made it almost certain that the loser of the election would challenge the results of this election. The two candidates that made it to the runoff were former President Matt Cheney and Judge Ppatpat. Right on cue, Matt Cheney won by 1 vote exactly, making him President of SimDemocracy.
President Cheney got to work almost immediately and announced his cabinet with full intention to serve for the next 2 weeks. But, Judge Ppatpat had different ideas; he challenged the results of the election in the Supreme Court. He also requested an injunction against President Cheney assuming office. The Supreme Court obliged and ordered President Cheney to vacate the office of the President of SimDemocracy.
The Supreme Court dealt with the case in record speed, not usually afforded to petitioners, due to the political nature of the case. The petitioner, Judge Ppatpat and the respondent, Attorney General Thyme, were ordered to complete their argumentation post haste. At the same time, the Chief Justice subpoenaed individuals with varying degrees of relevance to the case and asked them questions to help the court make a decision. The list of subpoenaed individuals includes: Tech Support, Election Supervisor Syndicality, Deputy Registration Officer Zepz and the Registration Officer Hmquestionable.
The case hinged on one question—was it lawful for the Registration Commission to reach out to individuals to allow them an opportunity to verify their votes? To some, it’s basic courtesy, to others, it's election interference. The Registration Officer explained that it was common practice for the department to do this long before this specific election. Judge Ppatpat argued that even if it was common policy it was still unlawful.
Just two days after the election results were announced, the Supreme court made their decision. They sided 5-0 in favor of Matt Cheney. The court wrote in its opinion that it was not only lawful for the Registration Commission to perform such corrections, but rather they were fulfilling their lawful duty by doing so. Justice Sparty, however, wrote a concurring opinion voicing his opinion that he did not believe it was the Registration Commission’s mandate to positively validate incorrect suits. Nonetheless, the court was clear in its decision, Matt Cheney would be SimDemocracy’s democratically elected President for the next 2 weeks.
Lucas Lycamore (_lucasdaboi_)
Deputy Editor | SimDem Star
NEWS — Judicial Coverage | The Judge Eater Trial Ends!
The case where multiple Judges of the inferior court sued the Supreme Court (state) on behalf of plaintiffs for negligence in hearing their petitions has finally come to an end. The case began pre-trial in August, and the trial itself began on the 9th of September. 3 months later, we have a decision. The trial became famous for the lack of judges to preside over it because a large part of them were involved in the trial itself, and, hence, could not preside.
After many recusals and arguments, Judge Hmquestionable finally ruled in favor of the State but did throw the petitioners a bone by calling the inaction of the Supreme Court “unfortunate” and a “stain on our justice system”. The halls of government must’ve released a collective sigh of relief as some believed the case had the potential to bankrupt the State.
Lucas Lycamore (_lucasdaboi_)
Deputy Editor | SimDem Star
NEWS — Executive Coverage | Interview with President Stalin
Interview conducted by Rein of the SimDem Observer for the SimDem Star on December 19th, 2025. Responses have been edited for grammar and flow – no changes have been made to substance.
Rein: Do you believe your term has been a success so far?
Stalin: I am thrilled with how the term has been going. I personally have been having a blast hanging out with the people, and providing good vibes for December!
R: Do you believe the next week of your presidency will be better or worse?
S: I think it will be a challenge but you picked the right person for the job, I look forward to continuing to complete my campaign promises in spite of the second danyowave.
R: Has this term been stressful so far? Do you think it will be more stressful as time goes on?
S: The presidency is always stressful, but I have been enjoying it more than stressing out over it.
R: What's been the most contentious/controversial action you believe your government has done, and how contentious/controversial was it?
S: The most contentious action my government will likely take is the decision on what to do with the border.
R: Do you have a plan/roadmap, and do you believe you can be on time to deliver on your promises?
S: Let’s talk about the promises I already kept: Discord clean up - done, signed a bill, and deleted 50 archived channels. Reddit theme day - happening today. SimPoker week - announcement today. Frequent game nights - been doing that too.
R: What's been your involvement so far in terms of the DoJ/SDBI? I'm asking because you had a couple of promises relating to that.
S: The DoJ discussions have taken a sharp turn due to the danyowave, our main plan now is to ensure that the police and our judicial system can handle the influx of new members. I will have more details hopefully tonight on further details.
R: There's been radio silence on a couple of issues, namely the Economy and Foreign Affairs. What's the update on those topics?
S: On the economy, my treasury secretary is working on getting rid of the TauZone to implement taxes. So no, the economic issues are still going on, that is a promise I plan to be able to keep in the next few days hopefully.
R: How have your plans changed as it's come out that there will be a new Danyo video on SimDem?
S: While my promises are the same, I will have to take into account the influx of new people such as for SimPoker week, where we are going to give the new people tau to gamble with.
Rein (tgrein)
Correspondent | SimDem Star
LIFE & CULTURE — Advice | Dear Delarosa 1
Hello darlings, Blanche here. I am so excited for this opportunity to interact with you in this way. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, and I’m so proud of you for doing so. Remember that I am just some hag on the internet and this is not legal or medical advice, but as someone who has lapped the sun a few more times than most of you, I am very happy to have a chance to offer my perspective, and hopefully, do you some good. Our first question comes from a user who asked to remain anonymous.
“Hi Delarosa, long time listener, first time caller here. I'm really tired of being poor, how should I go about not being so sad about being so poor? Thank you :D”
Hello reader. Thank you for writing. I know you wrote this in a funny way, but the question touches on a feeling of insecurity that all of us go through. Many of you are quite young, possibly still living with your parents. Maybe you’ve given some thought to what it will be like to own your own place, make your own rules.
Some of you are old enough to have experienced this. Either through difficult circumstances, being old enough to attend university, or perhaps, are even ancient fossils like me who left university behind years ago for the concrete, clusterfuck that is working life.
Once you go out into the world you are now open to one of the most exciting times of your life, real freedom. Make your own friends, stay out as late as you want, eat and drink till you feel sick; however, underneath those amazing experiences lurks the constant concern of, “Oh shit. Now this is all on me.”
It links us all. Those who are just leaving high school and those who have been working for decades. You are not alone and what you are feeling is very natural. Don’t be fooled by what you see in the media and on instagram. That girl on vacation in Malta or young man flexing on the hood of a sports car may have chosen that purchase over eating, or going back to visit family, or paying for insurance. Social media is an insidious pissing contest designed to make you feel like you are behind.
So, sorry, I ramble. Directly to your question—How do I stop feeling sad about being poor? Well, as I said. I think the first part is to remember that you are not alone. Having money is not a measure of your worth as an individual. You do not need to be useful to be loved, you do not need to produce value to be a good friend. Money and social economic status are very complex issues that often carry intergenerational weight.
Second, having a reaction to your circumstances is a natural thing. You will feel pressure, and guilt, and love, and sacrifice, all of these painfully wonderful aspects of your short time on earth. These make us human. Without the contrast of painful feelings, one cannot understand the heights of good ones. However, this is not to say you should shut up and be grateful for the pain. You will have a reaction to your circumstances, as you have very little to no ability to control them sometimes. Instead, I would tell you to turn into gratitude.
When the big picture feels unmanageable and horrible, when the weight of the news media becomes unbearable, when you are having trouble going to class because what is the fucking point-everyone hates you anyway-none of this stupid bullshit even matters, turn towards the small miricles.
Breathe in and feel the air rush into your lungs. How wonderful it is that they work! What mathematical improbability that life exists at all, and what infinite unlikeliness that you, small monkey humanoid that you are, get to experience life on a rock hurdling through space at 1000 miles per hour. I am so glad that you are here. Just the way you are. You should always feel valued and special, even if no one is there to tell you that. Touch something soft, dear reader. Eat something you love. Go someplace outside and feel the sun on your face.
When you hold in your mind that these things only belong to you for a short time, it will help you stay grateful for what you already have, and make the pain of what you dont—not go away, but gain some perspective. I don’t really have an official term for this approach, but I like to think of it as radical gratitude. I cannot change my circumstances, but I can control how my stupid lizard brain reacts to them. I choose wonder, dear reader. I choose wonder and gratitude and I hope that you do too.
Delarosa (blanchedelarosa)
Editor/Journalist/Comic Artist | SimDem Star
LIFE & CULTURE — Global News | Snap Elections: The Age of Autocracy
This is the inaugural article of “Snap Elections,” a column in which I highlight some of the most interesting news in electoral politics that may have flown under the radar for SimDem’s (mostly Western) populace in bite-sized, surface-level pieces.
The Far-Right “Kasts” a Spell on Chile
On Sunday, December 14, Chile elected José Antonio Kast, a “hard-right” conservative, in a presidential run-off against a member of the ruling Communist-led coalition. Kast ran in the 2021 presidential election and made it to the run-off, but lost by about 10 points to former student activist Gabriel Boric, who became the youngest president in Chile’s history when elected.
Boric rode upon a wave of unrest during the early COVID pandemic, backing a new constitution and other reforms, but is widely considered to have failed on delivering those promises. Continued public dissatisfaction with the government, compounded with both a statistical and perceived increase in crime due to the influence of transnational gangs (despite Chile still having a lower murder rate than the US and most of its Latin American neighbors) has made this typically stable and politically liberal country turn to the right.
Kast’s more radical views were thought to have made him unelectable—being the son of a registered Nazi Party member, opposing same-sex marriage (legal since 2022), and supporting the abolition of abortion without exception. He idolizes Augusto Pinochet, the Chilean dictator whose bloody, repressive regime lasted from 1973–1990, and wants to expand both the power of the military and police; Kast has said that he takes inspiration from Donald Trump’s treatment of immigrants in the United States and Nayib Bukele’s treatment of alleged gang members in El Salvador.
Kast has also mirrored Trump more directly, calling for the construction of a wall along Chile’s border with Peru and Bolivia. Since Kast’s victory in the presidential election, the Trump administration congratulated him on his win, marking him as likely being another Trump ally in the region. However, Kast’s far-right coalition is far from a majority in Chile’s legislature, forcing him to have to compromise with more moderate voices to pass legislation when he takes office on March 11.
As for the future of Chile’s left, Kast’s opponent Jeannette Jara put it best: “It is in defeat that we learn the most.”
Egypt’s “Elections” and Hong Kong’s Last Hurrah
While Chile’s president-elect may admire autocrats, he was democratically elected with a popular mandate. Egypt’s president on the other hand, has chosen to take up a more Putin–like style of retaining power.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took power in a 2013 military coup and has since taken increasingly drastic measures to hold onto power over the last 12 years. After a (widely-discredited) referendum in 2019 extended Sisi’s term limit to 2030, he seems poised to use the ongoing legislative elections to lay the groundwork for yet another extension. These, too, are rigged in Sisi’s favor—only government-approved candidates can run, and opposition politicians and campaigners are often disqualified, arrested or disappeared.
Vote-buying and voter intimidation was widely reported to have occurred in the first round of voting in early November, with more rounds being held throughout November and December after the National Elections Authority ordered 48 of the 70 constituencies’ elections needed to be re-run due to “violations.” With no opposition allowed on the ballot, and a variety of other factors, most voters stayed home, leading to just 23% turnout; with that, Sisi’s continued reign is all but guaranteed.
On a similar note, Hong Kong’s last opposition party disbanded on December 14 in the face of mounting pressure from Beijing. The Democratic Party led the China-governed Hong Kong for its first six years and won in a landslide in the 2019 local elections, in what is considered the region’s last fully-free election.
That same year, in reaction to the anti-extradition protests, the Chinese government cracked down on pro-democracy parties and activists, going as far as to reshape the electoral system in 2021. Since then, only 18% of seats in the legislature are directly elected, with the rest indirectly elected or appointed, and only pro-Beijing parties and candidates are allowed to run.
Despite the Democratic Party being barred from participating in elections since then, Beijing officials have arrested party leaders and threatened those who remained to disband or face a similar fate. With nothing left to lose, they complied.
Gen-Z Protests Proliferate
In Bangladesh, protests have erupted after Sharif Osman Hadi succumbed to his wounds after an assassination attempt last week. Hadi, one of the leaders of a student-led movement to oust longtime Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (considered the first “Gen-Z protest”), was just 32 years old, and was expected to run in the upcoming legislative elections after Hasina was forced to flee the country.
Hadi’s assassin has yet to be caught, but reports suggest that suspects identified by police are linked to Hasina’s party, the Awami League. Following the announcement of Hadi’s death, protestors in Dhaka raided and set fire to the offices of local newspapers, reportedly in sight of military police who did nothing to stop the mob.
In Slovakia, thousands of protestors across the country came out in opposition to a judicial overhaul by Prime Minister Robert Fico. Fico, who has been prime minister for 12 of the last 19 years, recently pushed to dismantle whistleblower protections, lessen punishments for financial crimes, remove protections for people within the LGBTQ+ community, and ally the country more closely with Russia.
Critics, such as the main opposition party, the center-left Progressive Slovakia, argue that Fico is following in the footsteps of Viktor Orbán, the illiberal leader of Hungary. Slovakia’s Hungarian minority appears to agree—the Hungarian Alliance, a party that represents their interests, has since joined the protests against Fico. It remains to be seen whether Slovakia’s longest-serving, and increasingly anti-democratic, prime minister will heed their criticisms and calls to resign.
Gato (bedshaped.)
Polling Correspondent/Journalist | SimDem Star
LIFE & CULTURE — Global News | Xiao Hong Shu Pt. 1
Since the Trump Administration started leaning harder and harder into the idea of a total TikTok ban in 2024, we have seen a mass exodus of western users onto other Chinese platforms, some in protest, some in ernest. Particularly, American users have been joining the Chinese pinterest / instagram analog—Xiao Hong Shu (hereafter referred to as XHS). Around 700,000 Americans joined the platform in just two days according to a XHS spokesperson speaking to reuters.com. With the all seeing eye of American public attention fixed squarely in the east, more and more people are asking themselves “What is this XHS business anyway and what could be there for me?”
Initially, American users were welcomed heartily by chinese-netizens in a rare mixing of polar opposite cultural worlds. Some prominent Chinese accounts began posting content in English, explaining Chinese memes, and providing basic mandarin lessons to help their new users acclimate to the new environment.
Since January, the dust has started to settle, the threat of a total TikTok ban is fading, and a series of scandals, data breeches, and black market scams have made the future of western participation on the platform murky at best. The SimDem Star has gone into the field to bring you the most up-to-date information on the platform to help you make the decision to give it a shot or give it the boot.
Banned in Taiwan for a Year Due to the Amount of Scammers
Ministry of the Interior deputy chairman Ma Shi Yuan has recently announced that XHS will be banned in the Republic of China (Taiwan) for one year due to its serious violation of data security laws, obfuscation of regulator’s investigation, and a willful ignorance of black market behavior on the site. According to statistics released by the Criminal Investigation Bureau, from January to November 2025, 756 cases of fraud have been reported. The majority of them can be categorized as: cancelling the payment plan after receiving the item (196 cases), fake auctions (283 cases), and fake investments (51 cases), friend fishing (43 cases) and sex work scams (23 cases).
Last year, the total number of fraud cases was even higher at 950, with the breakdown looking like: cancelling the payment plan after receiving the item (477 cases), fake auctions (261 cases, Friend fishing (39 cases), sex work scams (36 cases), and fake investments (29 cases). The damages caused by such schemes have totalled more than 6.5 million euros (7.62 million USD) over the last two years.
Victims of such scams are reported to have made contact with the fake sellers through XHS's built in market place. After initial contact, they are redirected to a communication app like Facebook, Wechat, or Line, finally, they are taken to a transaction platform like 7/11's Goods for sale or Familymart's Goods+. During the subsequent transaction, the scammers can use various methods to send harmful links and files to their victims. Fake customer service messages, unactivated payment services messages, unsigned shipping terms, incomplete name verification, unsigned TOS agreements have all been reported as possible traps.
Whichever excuse is used, they follow up with a demand for a bank transfer for verification purposes where the victim is tricked into sending money, personal information, or access to sensitive data. Additionally, from January 1st to December 8th 2025, the CIB has reported over 20,000 cases of fake celebrity advertisements and imposter social media pages for individuals and fan groups.
In response, the Taiwan Network Information Center has issued termination orders for 58,882 fraudulent websites YTD related to scam listings on XHS. Also worrying, the Ministry of the Interior Deputy Chairman Ma Shi Yuan also disclosed in his report that a new type of fraud is on the rise - intellectual property theft. Users, mostly from mainland China, will contact small business owners in Taiwan (mostly those in the prelaunch phase of the business) and offer partnership and help expanding into the mainland market; only to ghost them after gaining access to their intellectual property and then ripping off their products using OEM producers within their own circles.
XHS is not the only mass media platform on the chopping block. Similar crackdowns have been threatened against Meta this year after the CIB formally requested the Ministry of Digital Affairs to impose penalties on three occasions, with cumulative fines totaling 500,000 euros. In response Meta has taken down over 110,000 advertisements. Other companies like Google, Line, and Tik-Tok have quickly stepped in line taking down more than 4000, 90,000, and 10,000 fake advertisements respectively as of December of 2025.
The Ministry of the Interior cites Meta, Google, Line, and even TikTok's attempts to take action after being fined as justification why they are not facing similar bans to XHS. In one year the usage ban will expire, and XHS will be allowed to demonstrate their, hopefully, heightened data security standards and fraud protection measures. Until then, we will be watching the situation carefully.
Government Censorship and Culture Shock
Western users coming into contact with a fairly isolated part of the internet have found a whole new type of online experience. From the fairly surface level differences like being unable to read each other's language and an entirely different meme database to a deep and well developed coded language used to avoid strict government censorship, many new users found themselves confused, isolated, and having difficulty acclimating to their new ecosystem.
In the beginning of the great migration, XHS had not yet developed an English interface, leaving users with little idea how to properly tag their photos or search the site. Unsure of how to proceed, they started posting photos of their cats and introducing themselves. As more and more westerners joined the platform the “cat tax” meme was born and expected to be paid by all incoming foreigners. Chinese netizens would even issue fake invoice tickets to users they found not to have posted such pictures and bill of sales in the comment sections of users who had.
Here are some common expressions used on the Chinese internet! See if you can guess what they mean! Answers are located on the last page:
1. wc
2. tmd
3. sb
4. 3q
5. 666
6. Nb
7. 🍠
8. dddd
9. u1s1
10. Yyds
As sweet as the welcome was, American users who were used to speaking about topics such as: firearms, public feuds, LGBTQ issues, sensitive politics, sex and sexuality, and complaining about the platform they were on, quickly found that such topics were firmly off the table on the Chinese internet. Posts showing weapons, drugs, or sensitive political materials would result in near instant perma-bans while other posts containing seemingly innocent words or pictures would get removed or accounts deleted without explanation.
Chinese users often use homophones, words that sound alike, to avoid censorship. After these words are discovered by Chinese censors it can cause content that seems unrelated to politics to suddenly become ban worthy. Take for example—a steamed bun. A word that one might naturally come across as one becomes more and more interested in Chinese culture. It is indeed a dish that millions of Chinese people eat every day either as a snack or a meal.
In a now infamous clip from state broadcaster CGTN, CCP Chairman Xi Jin Ping visited a small chain restaurant in 2013 that sold steam buns. He went up to the counter, ordered, and sat down to eat. This uneventful luncheon would not have made it into a rag-paper if it was in the west, but CGTN had a very specific goal. They were fighting the perception that Chairman Xi lives like a god emperor in his marble palace while large parts of the country suffer under the weight of his policies. In response, the government created an ad campaign à la “look, the dear leader is a normal man. He eats steamed buns like you. He even carries his own meals to the table”. This story was published across every major news source both print, broadcast, and internet. Needless to say, the Chinese internet wasn’t having it.
习包子 Xí Bāozi (Steamed Bun Xi) along with other bun related puns quickly became front line figures in the discussion on how to relieve frustration with a system that allowed zero public criticism. Western users, never having seen Chinese tv, walked into a mine-field of steamed bun related memes and many users were banned before the reason could even be explained to them. This section has been shortened for time. More information about using puns to avoid censorship in China can be found here.
File:SteamedBun chinese memes.webp
As confusing as the politics, the meme-scape proved equally as opaque to new users who were, by and large, dumbfounded by the seemingly endless variety of human faced panda reaction images.
File:SteamedBun watermelon.webp Here is another game. Try and understand the joke.
The chinese text reads “the audience who doesn't know the truth sitting there eating watermelon.” Try to imagine what is meant here. The answer will be shown on the last page.
For length this article has been cut into two parts. Please stay tuned for part two, *Data Security and Child Trafficking*, in the next edition of the SimDem Star.
Delarosa (blanchedelarosa)
Editor/Journalist/Comic Artist | SimDem Star
LIFE & CULTURE — Economy | AerospaceEnjoyer’s Assets Liquidated
On December 12th, 2025, the Court of Review rendered a Writ of Execution to the state, mandating that the assets of (now banned) user AerospaceEnjoyer be liquidated via public auction and that the funds be split amongst his debtors according to a percentage breakdown provided within the writ.
Four days later, on December 16th, 2025, the Secretary of the Treasury, Democracy-foryou, began hosting the public auction. Listed for auction were the following assets:
- Citrus Broadcasting Corporation
- United Broadcasting Corporation
- SimDem Hockey League
- Aerospace Banking
- AerospaceEnjoyer’s Likeness (his name and profile picture)
- All writings and communications of AerospaceEnjoyer within SimDemocracy
Once all was said and done, and 536 messages later, the auction had concluded. Tripod won CBC with a bid of 2,000 tau. UBC was purchased by Rein with a bid of 500 tau. The SimDem Hockey League was won by Emi with a bid of 1,000 tau. Aerospace Banking was sold to Eleanor for 20 tau. Aero’s likeness and body of work was sold to Emi for 950 tau. There are legal concerns over the sale of someone’s likeness and body of work, and thus, that sale may be reversed. Totaling everything, Aero’s debtors are poised to split an additional 4,470 tau. However, considering that a decent amount of tau in some of Aero’s other accounts had already been seized, the total amount of tau found in liquidation exceeds the court mandated amount of 4,875 tau, meaning the remainder will be deposited into an escrow account for Aero for the time being.
Thymus Vulgaris (thymaerys)
Editor in Chief | SimDem Star
LIFE & CULTURE — Culture Showcase | Winter Time in Germany
File:Germany winter.webp As the air cools and the days grow shorter, winter brings different feelings into the minds of different people. For some, it means a joyous reunion with family and friends, feasting and dancing, gift giving and merry-making. For some, it is a reminder of those who are no longer around to celebrate such times, or the literal darkness shrouds our minds in a metaphorical seasonal darkness that makes venturing out into the cold a leviathan task. For Germans, the arrival of winter means something very specific—the reemergence of the Christmas market!
What is it?
A Christmas market, sometimes known as a Christmas Village, takes over the main square of nearly every city in Germany. Stalls, huts, and small shops spring up all around filling the air with saccharine scents, meaty delights, the clinking of toasting glasses, and the raucous laughter of adults and children alike. The temporary wooden “village” lasts from the first week of December up until the days proceeding “First Christmas Day” on December 24th. Each region of Germany has specialities and idiosyncrasies, but there are a common cast of characters you will find present at every performance.
Glühwein
File:Glühwein.webp Glühwein is a hot wine beverage made by taking, traditionally red, wine and simmering it over time with spices such as cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, orange peels, and sugar. The drink can be had with an extra shot of alcohol (typically rum) called *mit Schuss*, or as alcohol free, called *Kinderpunsch* (children’s punch). Different combinations of wine, spices, and additives make for a traditional German beverage that warms both body and soul. Glühwein from Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland are also commonly found at the Christmas Market under their respective local names.
Kartoffelpuffer / Reibekuchen
framless *Graded* *Cakes* or German hashbrowns are another integral part of the Christmas Market experience. Crispy, salted, perfectly golden graded potatoes with a crackly crunch on the outside and pillowy, soft, warmth on the inside. It is hard to find a more satisfying salty bite. Served with a choice of apple sauce or sour creams with chives, this dish might be familiar to many western pallets, but its simple charm meets a high-chaloric punch for a distinctly German experience.
Raclette Brötchen
File:Raclette.webp Despite originating from Switzerland, no trip to a German Christmas Market would be complete without a bit of hearty, toasted baguette topped with a running river of potent, fatty melted cheese. Raclette du Valais, the cheese used, is an Alpine semi-hard, cow milk cheese with a pungent aroma and strong milk flavor. Due to its high fat content it is ideal for melting and toasting on top of many different things, but bread is by far the most common vessel to carry one to cheese heaven.
The Meats
File:Kebabs.webp Meat lovers rejoice! Germany has you covered. From grilled steak kebabs, roasted chickens, broiled geese, lamb skewers to the pictured hanging grill, there will be meat for days and days and days. Pork neck steaks served in herbal butter, sausage in curry sauce, mince meat burgers, and more are all on offer to satisfy that seasonal urge to devour something that was once a living creature. Regional offerings will vary. Places with a larger immigrant population such as Berlin or Frankfurt am Main will have more Turkish, Hungarian, or South East European offerings on menu while smaller and more traditional cities will have an overwhelming choice of sausages, pickled meats, and chunky, saucy, dripping steaks. This food is usually served a la carte, but can also be purchased with a soft bread roll or french fries.
What else can you do?
File:Handicrafts 21 12 25.webp
Handicrafts galore! From small clay incense holders designed to look like traditional German houses to handmade clothing like mittens, hats, and shoes, to cookie cutters, ornaments, and household decorations the Christmas Market has something for you to decorate your home or give as a fun gift to your friends and family. Popular gifts include:
Beeswax candles / figures
Half timber house incense holders II **Handmade wooden toys from the Black Forrest**
File:Incense holder.webpFile:Wood toys black forestt.webp
Lebkuchenherzen (gingerbread hearts with sweet messages written on them)
![][image6]
Besides shopping there is plenty to enjoy. For the children there are miniature ice skating rinks, tiny train rides, carousels, and bumper cars. In addition to the Christmas centered attractions, there are usually different types of carnival / fun fair rides to enhance the spirit of play. Adults can also enjoy many events, which vary wildly depending on location, but the famous Kölner Weihnachtsmarkt, in the shadow of its legendary cathedral, has, perhaps, the best view.
You can take in live music while watching an hourly light show. Take a stroll down the illuminated Rhine river between not one, not two, not three, but six separate event locations spread around the city. The little elves (Heinzelmännchen) roam the streets putting on mini-shows and pulling pranks. Keep a careful eye out for them if you spot them you might be given a challenge to win a great prize!
Wherever you decide to spend your Christmas Market season in Germany you will find warm, caring people, delicious foods, handmade treasures, and the spirit of community passed down through hundreds of years of tradition. This is a kind of warmth that cannot be put into words, it must be experienced.
Thank you for lending me your attention to take this short glimpse into German wintertime. From all of us at the Simdem News Agency, we wish you a Happy Holiday Season—*Joyeuses fêtes, Frohe Festtage,* *أعياد سعيدة, چھٹیوں کی مبارکباد, छुट्टियों की शुभकामनाएँ, Καλές γιορτές and חג שמח.*
Delarosa (blanchedelarosa)
Editor/Journalist/Comic Artist | SimDem Star
LIFE & CULTURE — Comics | a minute in the life
![][image7]
Miln (ragamuffiln)
Comic Artist | SimDem Star
LIFE & CULTURE — Comics | Saintly Sisters #1
![][image8]
Delarosa (blanchedelarosa)
Editor/Journalist/Comic Artist | SimDem Star
GAMES — December 21st, 2025
![][image9]
![][image10]
SOLUTIONS — December 21st, 2025
Answers from Xiao Hong Shu Pt. 1 - p. 17
1. wc - wo cao - awesome
2. Tmd- ta ma de - fuck
3. sb - sha bi - idiot
4. 3q - san q - thank you
5. 666 - liuliuliu - very cool / very awesome
6. Nb - niu bi - incredible
7. 🍠 - xiao hong shu - the platform xiao hong shu (xiao hong shu is also little red potato)
8. dddd - dong de dou dong - if you know, you know
9. u1s1 - you yi shuo yi - to be real / let me be frank
10. Yyds - yongyuan de shen - GOAT
In Chinese, eating watermelon is slang for watching drama happen, like watching someone crash out in general. Imagine like “eating popcorn”. So the people in the meme are watching the dramatic scene unfold in horror without knowing the context or the background. Just all watching the fireworks together.