Board Thread:Season 23 - Greece/@comment-25438226-20150118055015/@comment-25681381-20150118094050

helllooooooooo renz. Honestly. thank you for taking so much time to really detail your speech. and it truly means a lot to me that you clearly went out of your way to ask insightful questions that may or may not be able to sway you, and/or other jurors to vote for one of us. so now im just gonna jump right into this

I really felt like you have this mentality where you are superior, let me clear that up, we don't see you as a superior, we see you as someone who thinks of himself as superior just because you are in a power alliance.

There are 2 things that I will apologize for in this game. One of them is hurting Hanne, and this is the other. I am genuinely sorry for making it seem that I thought of myself too highly, in such a way that it seemed like I thought I was superior. If I ever made you, or anyone else feel inferior, I am truly sorry, I never wanted anything that I said or did to come off that way. With that said, it's now clear to me that I struggled to find a balance in owning up to the game I played and having confidence in the moves that I made.

'''Without the help of Hanne, Erica, Sora, Martynas, Jace and Eoin, you would not be sitting there, and that is the reason why I am not "a fan" of yours, because you have this superiority complex which is just so annoying. '''

---Sorry if you find this a bit long and drawn out and unnecessary haha---

This is completely true. Nobody gets to the end of a game like this by being a loner. You have to rely on some people, you have to rely on alliances. Yes, each and every single person in this game played a role in me getting here. I feel like a lot, or at least some, of my success in this game came from others' failures. With that said, in a way I feel like that highlights my ability to thrive off of other people. I don't mean that in a way that's like a virus needing a host, or a leech on somebody's skin, but more of in a way that's like, I saw the opportunities people gave me, and I used them to my advantage. You don't turn down help in Survivor, you accept it and manipulate it, you manipulate people's trust in order to get what you want and further yourself. That might sound a bit cold hearted, but in past games I've played I let others thrive off of me, so this time I decided to play for myself -- play my own game, and I believe I did that well (although ultimately that's up to you to decide).

Now to answer your actual questions:

'''1. What is the reason why you never stuck to The Elders' Alliance? '''

Similarly to how I was the last addition to Attica, I was the last addition to The Elders. You could say that I saw greener grasses once the tribes swapped. Would I be in the finals right now had my loyalty been with that alliance 100%? Absolutely not. I kind of took my fate into my own hands by straying away from it, and in a way dismantling it.

Had I seen a clear path to the end with that alliance, then I would've stuck to it completely, but I didn't, so I had to move my game in a different direction, which I hope you understand.

2. Why did you never approach me to talk about the game or anything at '''all? '''

This is definitely a reoccurring thing with most jurors and myself. There was a point in the game where I started to see who I could and couldn't work with heading into the endgame. At that point, you were one of the people that I felt wouldn't work with me. Was it a poor decision to basically ignore you? Absolutely. But I'd rather not waste my time or yours trying to create/mend a bond that was obviously severed when you voted for me at that one tribal council. And of course, easily you could've messaged me at one point, I would say it's a two way street, but that is no longer valid because I'm sitting in the finals and you're not. Yes I deserve to be penalized for not having a better social game, so I'm refusing to push the blame on any jurors for not talking to me either. (Not sure if that makes sense or not oops)

'''3. What is your personal opinion on castaways with superiority complex when they play this game? Who else do you think played with that mentality from this season? '''

In this game, and in real life, I believe that everyone deserves to be treated as equals, because we ARE equal. Would I respect somebody with a superiority complex? Probably not, so I understand where you're coming from. It's hard to point out anyone in particular, because in my opinion for the most part everyone was level headed and easy for me to talk to (the ones that I did talk to haha). But if I was to point out one person, I'd maybe say Missy? Just basing that on her jury speech. To me, it definitely seemed like she was looking down on Amelia and I, specifically because of the way she applied her morals and beliefs IRL to the game, and basically loses respect for others that don't share those morals. (Obviously I understand I'm further ruining my chances of getting her vote, even if there was a chance at all, but you asked for my honesty so that's what I'm giving).

--

''1. I believe a castaway who can analyze his competitors' gameplay is a real winner, so what do you think is the biggest mistake I made in this game for me to not be sitting there? ''

It's definitely hard to say. But personally for me, I feel the chances of us ever working together were kind of ruined by you throwing a vote my way. To be fair, prior to that you weren't involved in my endgame anyways, but a lot changed from that point to the end, and you could be sitting here just as easily as Sora is had you not voted for me, and had we established a relationship with each other.

2. I believe that a castaway who played with big moves is a real winner, so what do you think is the biggest move you made in this game?

Easily, my biggest move was taking out Hanne. About a week after Amelia and I made a final 2, Hanne talked to me, and flat out told me she was under the impression that I was going to get 4th place if I went to the final 4 with her, Amelia, and Jess. At that point I had to reconsider my ENTIRE game. Was I playing a safe, 4th place game, or was I playing for MYSELF? Obviously I chose the latter. Ya I saw the consequences that I'd face by dismantling the tumblr alliance, but it was a move I was willing to make in order to 100% secure my spot in the finals. (Although Hanne might not admit it, and although she might not think she deserves the win, if she got to the end and I was on the jury she would hands down have my vote. She was always honest with me, and always kind. She excelled in challenges, she excelled strategically, and imo socially as well. And in my eyes, Hanne was always the biggest threat to win).

''3. I believe that a castaway who can admit his flaws is a real winner, so what do you think is the biggest mistake you have made in this game? ''

Obviously my biggest flaw is my poor social game. I played to the absolute best of my ability strategically and physically. But I will ALWAYS be the first to admit and point out that my social game is less than lackluster. In all fairness, I wasn't going out of my way to mistreat people, disrespect them, fight with them, and belittle them; but sometimes it hurts just as much when somebody doesn't take the time to get to know you. I understand that, I get it, and I understand why I'm being penalized for it.

4. I believe that a castaway who plays with humility is a real winner, so give me a reason why the other two castaways deserve the title more than you do.

Easy. Amelia did everything I did, except better, and on top of that, created bonds with practically everyone in this game. Amelia played the game that I frickin wish that I could have played. They played hard, they made moves. Amelia, this season, is the epitome of Outwit, Outplay, Outlast. Voting for Amelia is voting for a true Sole Survivor.

Sora, over came all odds.. Was that because of his doing or others' undoing? That's up to you to decide. The basis of Sora's success in this game is others' failures. That's something that can't go unnoticed. Voting for Sora is voting for the underdog; dealt a bad hand at times, but did the best that he could.

5. I believe that a castaway who made adversaries and allies is a real winner, so if you could pick one worthy ally and one worthy adversary among the members of the jury to sit next to you, who would those be and why?

Ally- Hanne. Without a doubt in my mind. I voted Hanne out for a reason. I genuinely believed the jury would respect Hanne's game more than anyone's. I could sit in the finals with Hanne and not mind her beating me because I would KNOW that she deserved it. 2 immunity wins, 1 hidden immunity idol, powerful alliance, what more can you ask for from a player?

Adversary- I'd actually say Eoin.. Solely because of the fact that he didn't stop fighting until he was actually voted out. I can sit in the end with Eoin and say, "hey, we busted our asses to get here. may the best man win." I admire his fight and drive and determination more than anything, and if he would've somehow managed to scratch and claw his way to the finals, he'd be a top contender, and probably the best player of the season considering the cards he was dealt throughout the entire game.

Once again, Renz, I truly appreciate the time that you took to analyze and get a deeper look into each of our games. It means a lot to me, so thank you.