4 ms·

I think the funny name would spark the interest. But then again, why not have both? I think a drone called Boaty McBoatface could get into all kinds of crazy t

by nekopa 10y ago

I think the funny name would spark the interest. But then again, why not have both? I think a drone called Boaty McBoatface could get into all kinds of crazy trouble, only to be bailed out by the wise old mothership, Sir David Attenborough. Could actually work out really well. I may just have to start working on my new kids book series "Curious Boaty, the cheeky little ROS (Remotely Operated Submarine)" - with related merchandise, a toy ROS with HD video and sampling claw that can be operated from your Android or iOS phone/tablet

threeseed 10y ago
This is what I can't understand. There are so many research vessels. Can't one at least be fun, playful and a little bit ridiculous. People are desperately trying to tell institutions (not just in this situation but also in politics) that being honest and more connected with the ordinary person on the street is a virtue.
- nekopa 10y ago
  True, but, if we are being honest, only 150,000 odd people voted for it, so it might not represent the ordinary person on the street. But, for the UK at least, I think it would connect with a lot of people, and for a longer time. Unfortunately, sometimes we take our selves too seriously. Especially when millions of monetary units are involved...
- theoh 10y ago
  The problem, I think, is that the suffix "face" makes it sound like an insult. It would be a derogatory name, which is just unacceptable.
  - jackvalentine 10y ago
    No it doesn't.
    - theoh 10y ago
      It does for some people: http://www.hrwiki.org/wiki/Names_ending_in_-face http://www.hrwiki.org/wiki/Names_ending_in_-face
      - qbrass 10y ago
        When calling someone insult-face, it's not the face part that makes it sound insulting
        theoh 10y ago
        Well, I think they're an example of an exocentric compound. Neither the "boat" nor the "face" is insulting, but there's an implication of ugliness. ("boatface" implies "boat-faced scoundrel" or equivalent).
  - shepardrtc 10y ago
    Personally I'm fine with "Boatface" being derogatory toward boats. They're inanimate objects; I think they'll be okay.
    - theoh 10y ago
      Grown ups don't tolerate name calling. It's unpleasant.

by nekopa 10y ago

threeseed 10y ago

This is what I can't understand. There are so many research vessels. Can't one at least be fun, playful and a little bit ridiculous. People are desperately trying to tell institutions (not just in this situation but also in politics) that being honest and more connected with the ordinary person on the street is a virtue.

nekopa 10y ago
True, but, if we are being honest, only 150,000 odd people voted for it, so it might not represent the ordinary person on the street. But, for the UK at least, I think it would connect with a lot of people, and for a longer time. Unfortunately, sometimes we take our selves too seriously. Especially when millions of monetary units are involved...
theoh 10y ago
The problem, I think, is that the suffix "face" makes it sound like an insult. It would be a derogatory name, which is just unacceptable.
- jackvalentine 10y ago
  No it doesn't.
  - theoh 10y ago
    It does for some people: http://www.hrwiki.org/wiki/Names_ending_in_-face http://www.hrwiki.org/wiki/Names_ending_in_-face
    - qbrass 10y ago
      When calling someone insult-face, it's not the face part that makes it sound insulting
      - theoh 10y ago
        Well, I think they're an example of an exocentric compound. Neither the "boat" nor the "face" is insulting, but there's an implication of ugliness. ("boatface" implies "boat-faced scoundrel" or equivalent).
- shepardrtc 10y ago
  Personally I'm fine with "Boatface" being derogatory toward boats. They're inanimate objects; I think they'll be okay.
  - theoh 10y ago
    Grown ups don't tolerate name calling. It's unpleasant.