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Maybe it's just me, but did social norms around first names change? I wouldn't call Steven Spielberg "Steven." I'd say "Steven Spielberg" or "Spielberg." But th
by tarboreus 9y ago
Maybe it's just me, but did social norms around first names change? I wouldn't call Steven Spielberg "Steven." I'd say "Steven Spielberg" or "Spielberg." But this is HN and it's entirely possible you've worked with Mark Zuckerberg.
- seatotree 9y agoIt is just you.
- ben_jones 9y agoI really don't like how people on HN and otherwise have taken to calling Mark Zuckerberg "Zuck". At this point I feel like its some kind of playground insult people are using because it rhyme's with the word "fuck". Am I misinterpreting it?
- brandnewlow 9y agoI don't think its meant as an insult. I think people use it because it implies familiarity, is fun to read/say, and AFAIK is Zuckerberg's old IM/IRC handle which makes it a way to reference his past as an actual coder/hacker. I see it more as a sign of respect when used on HN.
- jonathankoren 9y agoYou’re misinterpetting it. He’s been known as Zuck since Facebook started. It’s even his email and login.
- MrL567 9y agoThe playground insult version of Zuck is Zucc for reference. Also has become the term for when a Facebook page gets shut down, they get "zucced".
- abritinthebay 9y agoOut of context yes, you’d be making a reasonable point, but we have context for the names. It’s informal yes, but this isn’t a place for formal writing. So it’s mostly just you.
- slantyyz 9y ago>> It’s informal yes, but this isn’t a place for formal writing. >> So it’s mostly just you. It's more likely a generational thing, so not just him/her. It's also less about formal writing than it is with familiarity. My (older) generation typically doesn't refer to someone by their first name only unless we actually know the person.
- whatyoucantsay 9y agoThat is precisely why those who want to place themselves in the in crowd use first names.
- abritinthebay 9y agoPerhaps it once was but it's a really common thing now so it's hardly just for that reason.
- whatyoucantsay 9y agoOr perhaps narcissism and attention-seeking behaviours are "a really common thing now" and, as a consequence, referring to wealthy strangers by first name is also becoming more common.
- abritinthebay 9y agoNo offense, but this comes across very "old man yells at cloud" or "darn kids" and I'm 37.
- slantyyz 9y agoCommon among a particular age group or demographic doesn't necessarily mean it's a universal behavior.
- whatyoucantsay 9y agoIt's not just you. Your point is entirely valid.
- ggg9990 9y agoThe first-name thing and the casual workplace attire and the fun offices in Silicon Valley are all part of a trend to offset accelerating inequality with the illusion of egalitarianism.
- joejerryronnie 9y agoOr maybe it's just more comfortable to wear jeans and you're reading too much into it.
- tarboreus 9y agoWhen Mark Zuckerberg starts wearing swetpants to the office I'll buy this.