FNORD Awards

The FNORD Awards refer to annual community recognition awards bestowed upon members of the Anglophone Simulationist Community, typically every January, on or around Fnord Day (8 January). They are generally considered the most prestigious micronational award. They are bestowed for proceding year (i.e. the awards for 2020 are awarded in January 2021).

History of the FNORDs

The awards were first organised by Scott Alexander in 2002, and were organised by the staff of MNN each year until 2008 with the collapse of MNN, when FNORDs were awarded by the MCS. Typically, a judging panel of five veteran micronationalists convenes to decide the recipients of each award from a group of nominees named by the general population.

Typical FNORD medallion.

FNORDs are believed to have been inspired by the similarly named Emperor Norton Award of the secessionist micronation of Molossia. These were similarly awarded each year and, like the FNORDs, were named after Emperor Norton I, an eccentric citizen of San Francisco during the late 19th century who declared himself Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, and known by many as the 'First Micronationalist' To distinguish this new micronational award from the awards issued by Molossia and the seccessionist micronationalists, the new awards were named the Fantasy/Simulated Norton Awards, hence FNORDs.

Prior to 2006, the number of awards varied greatly with very little consistency in recognition categories. Some years, the general public were invited to create the recognition categories, adding further inconsistency between years. In preparation for the 2006 awards, Liam Sinclair, the chair of the awards judging committee from 2004 to 2007, implemented a system of fixed awards year-to-year, with the most prestigious awards being retained. The addition of new awards is dependent on whether or not there is a quantifiable uniqueness to the nature of the award which can be objectively considered (i.e. not awarded on bias). For example, 'most efficient government', awarded to Babkha in 2005, did not qualify as every government has its efficiencies or lack thereof. The FNORD Awards, while named after the year in which they are awarded, in fact recognize achievements in the previous year (for example, the 2007 FNORD Awards recognize achievements in 2006).

FNORD awards are now hosted by the MCS and since 2009 have also been awarded in the form of physical medals, whereas before they were simply forum images.

One of the first physical FNORD medals, issued in January 2010 for the FNORDs for 2009.

Categories of FNORD award

As of 2008, there were in excess of thirty-five individual awards handed out, the vast majority of which were "one-off" (that is, awarded during one year only). The following includes only the permanent awards named prior to the 2006 ceremony (many of which had been awarded several years prior to that date) and any subsequently named permanent awards. Many awards have been given unofficial names pertaining to individuals or organisations related to the respective fields, and are often referred to as such during the nominating and awarding each year.

• Odlum Award for Overall Achievement - Named for Shane Odlum, the founder and leader of the micronation of Blackrock, this award is the most prestigious of all FNORD Awards. It is typically given to a veteran micronationalist in recognition of years of service to the community at-large.

• Abbas Namvari & Charles Beard Award for Conflict Resolution - honouring two of the greatest diplomats in the community's history (Namvari of Babkha and Beard of Attera), this award is given to a micronationalist, or group/micronation, who exhibits great achievement and leadership in diplomacy. The award was re-introduced for the 2007 ceremony.

• Best Revolutionary Concept - awarded in recognition of a micronationalist, or group/micronation, whose innovative concept receives widespread attention and improves the community at-large.

• Bill Dusch Award for Micronational Cultural Development - named for the most prominent creator of the Soloralism micronational culture/religion, the award is presented to a micronationalist, or group/micronation, who makes a significant contribution to the development of culture within his/her micronation or intermicronationally.

• RIMA Award for Excellence in Micronational History - created by Liam Sinclair, this is awarded by the Royal Institute of Micronational Antiquities to the micronationalist, or group/micronation, who contributes most to the preservation of the community's history. It is not awarded to any micronationalist who is a member of the Institute's management. The award was first introduced in 2006.

• Norton Award for Excellence in the Field of Journalism - awarded to the micronationalist, micronation or media service that makes the most significant contribution to journalism and news media in the community each year.

• Peter Little Award for Excellence in Micronational Literature - named in honour of Peter Little, a micronationalist with atrocious spelling and grammar who was active in the community from 2001 to 2003, this award recognizes contributions to the development of the community through literature.

• Best New Micronationalist - as the name implies, this award is given to an outperforming micronationalist who has entered micronationalism within the past year (though in 2007, it was awarded by the judging panel to Jeremy Hart who was in the community just over a year).

• 'Tis But a Flesh Wound Award for Refusing to Give Up in the Face of Failure - re-added for 2012 after being awarded once for 2004, this award is given to a micronationalist who, or micronation which, has overcome notable setbacks without admitting defeat.

• Award for Sport - added for 2013 following an increase in sporting activity through the community, activities which were previously usually nominated under cultural development. Presented to those who make a significant contribution to sporting development in their own micronation or internationally.

Previous awards

Prior to the permanence of awards from 2006's ceremony onward, the following were awarded at least once. Due to the changeable nature of the first few ceremonies, some awards were given for the same field despite having differing names.

• Award for Best Avatar – awarded for the best online forum profile picture (2004).
• Award for Best Forum / Award for Best Message Board – awarded for the best online forum design (2002 to 2004).
• Award for Best Propaganda – awarded for high quality persuasive political advertising (2004).
• Award for Best Speaker – awarded for proficiency in speech composition (2003).
• Award for Best Website – awarded for the best website design (2002 to 2004).
• Award for Constitutional Framework – awarded for proficiency in political document composition (2003).
• Award for Diplomacy – awarded for tactful statesmanship (2003).
• Award for Egotism – awarded for self-absorbed behaviour (2003).
• Award for Greatest Contributions to Micropatriology – awarded for contributions to the study of micronationalism (2002).
• Award for Least Arrogant Micronationalist – awarded for humble and modest behaviour (2004).
• Award for Most Committed Micronationalist – awarded for dedicated and responsible behaviour (2004).
• Award for Most Efficient Government – awarded for exceptional executive organisation (2004).
• Award for Most Insane Micronationalist – awarded for unconventional and erratic behaviour (2002).
• Award for Most Likeable Micronationalist – awarded for amicable and polite behaviour (2002).
• Award for Most Unusual Micronation – awarded for different and atypical national culture (2004).
• Award for Peace – awarded for a resolve towards non-aggression (2002).

Spin-offs and imitations

Shireroth has hosted, on occasion, Malarbor Awards, designed as a spoof FNORD Awards for Shirerithan citizens. In 2008, members of the MCS hosted the unofficial MASOM (Micronational Awards Society Of Micras) Awards, also tongue-in-cheek. Therefore although many micronations run their own systems of orders of merit, the FNORDs are the only truly intermicronational series of awards in the Micras Sector and hence the most prestigious.

Judging panel

The FNORD judging panel usually comprises an odd number of individuals—most commonly five, though panels of three have also been used—generally formed from long-standing and esteemed members of the wider community. The panel is usually chaired by an individual who is responsible for the receiving of nominations, picking of judges and announcing the awards' winners.

Past Chairs of the FNORD judging panel

• Scott Alexander (2002)
• Iain de Vembria (2003)
• Liam Sinclair (2004 to 2007)
• Lachlan Powers (2008)
• Scott Alexander (2009)
• Guido Zambelis (2010)
• Scott Alexander (2011)
• Elijah Ayreon (2012 and 2013)
• Jack de Montfort (2014)
• Elijah Ayreon (2015)
• Thorgils Tarjeisson (2016)
• Elijah Ayreon (2017 and 2018)

Recipients

FNORDs for 2002:

• Best micronational website: Tie between Dafydd Young of Baracão and Mik'el Tzion of Attera
• Best micronational forum: Daffydd Young of Baracão
• Greatest Contributions To Micropatriology: Stephen Foong of Morovia
• Greatest Contributions To Micronational Culture: Tie between Cardinal James Murphy of Hanover and Eoin Dornan of Treesia
• Most Insane Micronationalist: Yuri Andropov of Novaya Zemlya
• Most Likeable Micronationalist: Ari Rahikkala of Shireroth
• Norton Peace Prize: Mik'el Tzion of Attera and Harvey Steffke
• Odlum Award For Total Individual Achievement: Erik Metzler

FNORDs for 2003:

• For Achievement in Diplomacy: Johanns fonn Klosso for merging Cranda, Slobovia and Northworthy into Arminy, with honourable mention for delegates of the Argaath Perez Peace Conference (resulting in peace between Attera and Babkha.
• Achievement in Constitutional Framework: Drafters (Liam Sinclair and Mik'el Tzion) of Attera's Fourth Crimson Constitution with honourable mention for the Hano-Pendronian Committee for the attempted merger of Hanover and Pendronia.
• Best Micronational Website: Shireroth, with honourable mention for Babkha
• Best New Micronationalist: Emperor Delphi Augustus of Antica
• For Micronational Literature: Babkha, for The Burning Sands of Tashbaan
• For Micronational Economics: Sander Dielemann for creating the Micronational PhpBank software
• Achievement in Micronational News: Jack Santucci
• Best Forum Design: Iain de Vembria, for Treesia
• Tallini Award for Egotism: Prince Kieran of Breuddwyd and Kuralyov
• Best Speaker: Rakesh Ackbar, with honourable mention for Scott Alexander
• Best New Micronation: Gotzborg, with honourable mention for Feianova
• The Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Alexander I of Hanover, with honourable mention for Presidente Alarico Veto Julia of Baracão

FNORDs for 2004:

(Attended by His Excellency President Kevin Baugh of the Republic of Molossia)

• "Tis But A Flesh Wound" Award for Refusing to Give Up in the Face of Failure: David Redstone
• Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Liam Sinclair, Attera
• Best Message Board: Regio Mayo
• Best Newsblog: Atteran Chronicle World (Liam Sinclair)
• Einstein Award for the Best New Idea: Sander Dieleman, Iain de Vembria and Jack Santucci for the MNN News Feed Development
• National Leader of the Year: Delphi Augustus of Antica
• Best Website: Kingdom of Gotzborg
• Most Efficient Government: Babkha
• Most Culturally Developed Micronation: Babkha
• Saeed al-Sayyaf Award for Best Propaganda: Shireroth
• Most Unusual Micronation: Babkha
• Best Avatar: Shyriath
• Most Committed Micronationalist: Robert Davis of Gotzborg
• Least Arrogant Micronationalist: Tahmaseb Shah of Babkha

FNORDs for 2005:

• Odlum Award for Individual Achievement: Orion
• Best Revolutionary Concept: Kingdom of Lovely
• Bill Dusch Award for Micronational Cultural Development: Ric Lyon
• RIMA Award for Excellence in Micronational History: The staff of MicroWiki (former MNN wiki)
• Norton Award for Excellence in the Field of Journalism: Novaya Zemlya
• Peter Little Award for Excellence in Micronational Literature: Greg Russell
• Best New Micronationalist: Carson Smith

FNORDs for 2006:

• The Odlum Award for Individual Achievement: August Charles of Gotzborg
• The Abbas Namvari & Charles Beard Award for Conflict Resolution: Edgard II of Alexandria
• Best Revolutionary Concept: Geographical Standards Organisation (GSO)
• The Bill Dusch Award for Micronational Cultural Development: Maximos of Matbaa
• The RIMA Award for Excellence in Micronational History: Scott Alexander for Microscope
• The Norton Award for Excellence in the Field of Journalism: Liam Sinclair of the Coprieta Standard & Koen Nevens of the Alternative Media Company
• The Peter Little Award for Excellence in Micronational Literature: His Majesty King Jeremy of New Britannia & Johanns fonn Klosso
• Best New Micronationalist: His Majesty King Jeremy of New Britannia.

FNORDs for 2007:

• The Odlum Award for Individual Achievement: Enrique Portela of Alexandria
• The Abbas Namvari & Charles Beard Award for Conflict Resolution: Hesam Jahandar of Babkha and Dr-Spangle of the CIS
• Best Revolutionary Concept: Kingdom of Hanover's SecondLife Colony
• The Bill Dusch Award for Micronational Cultural Development: Tokidoki Magic System
• The RIMA Award for Excellence in Micronational History: Jacobus Kahuneamea
• The Norton Award for Excellence in the Field of Journalism: Liam Sinclair for the Coprieta Standard
• The Peter Little Award for Excellence in Micronational Literature: Jeremy Hart for King Under the Mountain
• Best New Micronationalist: Liam conDoin

FNORDs for 2008:

• Tony Au Award for Economics: DStryker (Andreas Mayer) of Lavalon for the Economic Think Tank project
• Liam Sinclair Award for Micronational History: Jonas Windsor for Wiki articles on Batavia
• Jeremy Bellamy Award for RecWar and Storytelling: Anthony Montague
• Liam conToketi Award for Best New Micronationalist: Peter Ulsnes
• Best New Idea: Dr-Spangle for his Micronational Meetup link chart
• Bill Dusch Award For Cultural Development: Troy Thompson for the creation of the Babkhi language
• Best Graphic Artwork: Scott Alexander for the Quetzal series of MCS maps
• Iain Jacobson Award for Micronational Journalism: Will Tomsett
• Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Hesam Jayatar

FNORDS for 2009:

• Most Promising New Micronation: Victoria
• Award for Graphic Arts: Bjorn Olsen of Victoria
• Award for Leadership: Octavius (Chrimigules) of Antica
• Jeremy Bellamy Award for Literature: Ben Kern for Rauðbjörn's Saga
• Bill Dusch Award for Cultural Development: Aryeztur Mejorkhor of Aryez, Antica
• Josh Coales Award for Best New Idea: Erik Metzler and Ari Rahikkala for the Small Commonwealth
• Tony Au Award for Economics: Andreas the Wise for the Small Commonwealth Unified Economy (SCUE)
• Iain Jacobson Award for Journalism: M.Goltz of Ashkenatza for the Litovsker Tagblatt
• Liam conToketi Award for Most Promising Micronationalist: Andrew Allot of Shireroth
• Shane Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Nathan Waffel-Paine of Natopia

FNORDS for 2010:

• Most Promising New Micronation: Normark
• Award for Leadership: Harvey Steffke of Nelaga
• Liam conToketi Award for Most Promising New Micronationalist: Philip Fish of A1
• Iain Jacobson Award for Journalism: Christopher Octavius of Antica for A Speakership in Review: The Speakership of Benjamin Sebastocrator Timothy Quentin Kern
• Tony Au Award for Economics: Andreas the Wise of Gralus
• Josh Coales Award for Best New Idea: Harvey Steffke and Andreas the Wise for the foundation of the Bastion Union
• Charles Beard Award for Conflict Resolution: Shyriath Bukolos as Shirereithan Kaiser B'Caw I
• Jeremy Bellamy Award for Literature: Orion for The Retreating Ice
• Bill Dusch Award for Cultural Development: Greg Russell of Nelaga for the Nelagan Naval Guide to the Untrained
• Award for Graphic Arts: Rebecca 'Artz'
• RIMA Award For Micronational History: Harvey Steffke and M.Goltz for work on MicrasWiki
• Shane Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Andreas the Wise

FNORDS for 2011:

• Liam conToketi Award for Most Promising New Micronationalist: Illuminarch Nicholas
• Iain Jacobson Award for Journalism: The A1 News Service
• Tony Au Award for Economics: Szhmuel Astopov for Port Side Industries and Ardashir for his Sinister Military-Industrial Complex
• Josh Coales Award for Best New Idea: Scott Alexander for Archipelago
• Jeremy Bellamy Award for Literature: Craitman for his Marriage to Queen Annika
• Bill Dusch Award for Cultural Development: Nick Turner for the Silver Yak Horde and Normark
• Rebecca Panks Award for the Graphic Artz: Maximos for his work published at the Bastion Expo '11
• Shane Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Harvey Steffke

FNORDS for 2012:

• Liam conToketi Award for Most Promising New Micronationalist: Arne Govaerts
• Most Promising New Micronation: Kingdom of New Victoria
• Iain Jacobson Award for Journalism: The Coprieta Standard and the Batavian Post
• Award for Leadership: Mira Raynora of Shireroth
• 'Tis But a Flesh Wound Award for Refusing to Give Up in the Face of Failure: Giles Melang
• Jeremy Bellamy Award for Literature: Gerk ronAnaglea for Analis and Benkern for the Coronation of Yardistanislaus (compilor)
• Bill Dusch Award for Cultural Development: Jingdao and South Batavia
• Charles Beard Award for Conflict Resolution: The MTO for their Conference on the Law of the Seas
• Rebecca Panks Award for the Graphic Artz: Meekras
• RIMA Award For Micronational History: Vilhelm Benkern for his history of Mar Sara
• Shane Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Craitman

FNORDS for 2013:

• Award for Sport: Barnaby Hands for the MHL
• Tony Au Award for Economics: The Ministry of Coin of Hamland
• Liam conToketi Award for Most Promising New Micronationalist: Ryker Everstone
• Most Promising New Micronation: Free State of Haifa
• Iain Jacobson Award for Journalism: The Coprieta Standard
• Award for Leadership: Lord Lewis of the Isles (Hamland)
• 'Tis But a Flesh Wound Award for Refusing to Give Up in the Face of Failure: Carl Jackson
• Jeremy Bellamy Award for Literature: Krasniy Yastreb for Kapusta Kaput
• Bill Dusch Award for Cultural Development: Nathan Waffle-Paine for Natopian development
• Charles Beard Award for Conflict Resolution: Kaiseress Mira Raynora II of Shireroth
• Rebecca Panks Award for the Graphic Artz: Shyriath Bukolos for the Gloria Mundi and Bjorn Olsen for his portfolio
• RIMA Award For Micronational History: Kaiser Aiomide for Raynor's Keep
• Shane Odlum Award for Overall Achievement: Christopher

FNORDs for 2014

• Award for Conflict Resolution ("the Beard"): The Governments of Natopia and Stormark
• Award for Cultural Development: The Apollonian Confederation
• Award for Economics ("the Andreas"): Duke Sinclair
• Award for Art ("the Artz"): Bjorn Olsen
• Award for History ("the RIMA"): Krasniy Yastreb
• Award for Journalism ("the Iain"): Coprieta Standard
• Award for Leadership ("the Mortis"): Nathan
• Award for Literature ("the Jeremy"): Shyriath
• Award for Sport ("the Craitman"): Barnaby Hands
• Award for Most Promising New Micronationalist ("the Liam"): James Knight
• Award for Overall Achievement ("the Shane"): Harald
• Award for "'Tis but a flesh wound": Ryker Everstone

FNORDs for 2015

• Award for Cultural Development: Gerald Ruze of Gerenia
• Award for Art: Jonas for Epoli
• Award for History: Hallbjörn Haraldson (Harald) for ShireWiki work
• Award for Journalism: Liam
• Award for Leadership: Nathan for ruling Shireroth and Natopia as Kizzy and Naian
• Award for Literature: The "Miss Kizzy" series by Kizzy Drakland (Nathan)
• Award for Sport: James Robert-Knight for sport development in Vyktory
• Award for Overall Achievement: Edgard of Alexandria
• Award for "'Tis but a flesh wound": Krasniy

FNORDs for 2016

• Award for Best New Idea ("the Josh"): Carl Jackson
• Award for Conflict Resolution: Edgard
• Award for Cultural Development: Shirewiki
• Award for Economics ("the Andreas"): NewZimaGov
• Award for Art ("the Artz"): David
• Award for History ("the RIMA"): Ardy
• Award for Journalism ("the Iain"): ABC News
• Award for Leadership ("the Mortis"): Edgard
• Award for Literature ("the Jeremy"): Krasniy
• Award for Sport ("the Craitman"): Craitman
• Award for Most Promising New Micronation: Blackstone / Maritime Markets of the Strait of Haifa
• Award for Most Promising New Micronationalist ("the Liam"): Amir al Saud
• Award for Overall Achievement ("the Shane"): Ardy
• Award for "'Tis but a flesh wound": Jingdao

FNORDs for 2017

• Sport: Edwin
• New Micronation: Caputia
• Journalism: Unilaterally Independent
• New Micronationalist: Nikola
• Cultural Development: Josephus
• Economics: Bijaro
• Overall Achievement: Edgard
• New idea: Logan
• Literature: Krasniy
• Leadership: Barnaby
• Art: Bijaro / Krasniy / Jonas
• History: Ardy
• ‘Tis but a flesh wound: Florian Republic

FNORDs for 2018

• New Micronationalist: Cosmic Fury
• New Micronation: Çeridgul
• Journalism: Edgard for the CBC
• 'Tis But a Fleshwound: Tablecloth Kitten
• Leadership: Gustaaf Vermeylen
• Cultural Development: Edgard for Caputian cinema
• Literature: "Under the Constancian Sun" by Primo

FNORDs for 2019

• Sport: Barnaby and Craitman
• History: the MicrasWiki article Timeline of Modern Benacia
• Art: Malliki
• Award for Best New Idea ("the Josh"): Alduria
• New Micronationalist: Alecsi
• New Micronation: Caradia
• 'Tis But a Fleshwound: Shireroth
• Leadership: Continuator (Ardy)
• Cultural Development: Jonas
• Literature: Krasniy’s Tales of Kalgachia
• Overall achievement: Ric

Fnords for 2020

• The Fnord for Best revolutionary concept is awarded to Edgard for MicrasCast
• The Fnord for Leadership is awarded to Nathan for for keeping Natopia alive, interesting and unique for so long and inspiring others to join him
• The Fnord for Wiki development is awarded to Joe for his many templates on Micras Wiki
• The Fnord for 'Tis but a Fleshwound is awarded to New Batavia (formerly called the Islamic Internet Republic) for returning to Micras, with an unbroken history, after so many many years.
• The Fnord for Literature is awarded to Ardy for Battle of Chryse
• The Fnord for Journalism is awarded to Joe for the Unilaterally Independent
• The Fnord for Cultural development is awarded to Malliki for his work on Sanama
• The Fnord for Conflict resolution is awarded to Ardy for creatively resolving conflict on Benacia through sustained incapsulation and subjugation
• The Fnord for Best new micronation is awarded to Çakaristan
• The Fnord for Overall achievement is awarded to Ric for organizing both the Microvision Song Contest this year and the Fnords
• The Fnord for Sport is awarded to Joe for consistent work on Micras hockey