New blog post up, actually an open letter to the UK's National Environment Research Council regarding the recent online poll to name their new research vessel Boaty McBoatface.
This has been sent to the BBC, The Grauniad, The Observer and RDFRS, as well as the top bods at NERC. Additionally, I've forwarded it to every high-profile scientist I could think of for whom I could find contact details, including Stephen Hawking, Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw, Jim al Khalili, Steve Jones, Alice Roberts, Helen Czerski, Marcus du Sautoy, Neil Turok, Lawrence Krauss, various university professors and the public education team at the Royal Society.
I'd be massively appreciative if anybody could share this around, as I think it an important and time-sensitive issue, and a different voice to add to the discussion.
http://reciprocity-giving-something-back.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/open-letter-to-national-environment.html
Thanks in advance for any support.
Shared on fb.
QuoteThe person who came up with this suggestion, former BBC presenter James Hand, has since apologised.
Apparently "Dude, I was
joking" doesn't go as far as it used to.
I think what they should do is give it a sensible name and then under that in brackets and smaller put (Boaty McBoatface).
Quote from: Tank on April 19, 2016, 06:49:34 AM
I think what they should do is give it a sensible name and then under that in brackets and smaller put (Boaty McBoatface).
I disagree. Boaty McBoatface or nothing!
I really want to support Boaty McBoatface, but since I'm a nerd of the not-quite-millineal generation whose brain functions entirely in pop culture references all I can think of is Elftor Meets Boatface (http://elftor.com/elftor.php?number=35).
Apparently the Boatface spin off has ceased to exist, which is probably a good thing.
Boaty has lost, a bitter loss for democracy.
Bin Laden, he is laughing amidst his virgins.
Quote from: Bad Penny II on April 21, 2016, 03:15:19 PM
Boaty has lost, a bitter loss for democracy.
Bin Laden, he is laughing amidst his virgins.
It isn't over yet. Jo Johnson has apparently said he'll intervene, but it isn't actually his call. Moreover, several petitions were started on the UK Govt's petition website, which were all summarily rejected on the basis that this was a matter for the NERC and the govt had no say in the matter.
On those grounds, I've started a petition asking for Jo Johnson to STFU, or for the previous petitions to be reinstated. Either it's the government's call or it isn't, but they can't have it both ways. My petition is being assessed, although this will probably not be until the working week.
Not letting them run roughshod over democracy on my bloody watch.
If anybody wants to sign, it's open to UK residents and British citizens:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/128478/sponsors/AIPMyyhbYlXAPP4KZXDl
Not actually live yet, but can still be signed.
Scratch that, it appears that a name has been announced. It's to be named after a verb.
RRS Encourage.
What a shitty name.
That's terrible!
Honestly, Boaty McBoatface would have kept a following. No one is going to give a shit about a pseudo inspirational educational vessel.
What the living fuck! Such a bunch of spoil sports. But the fact is that it'll be 'Boaty McBoatface' until the day it goes to the scrap yard.
Quote from: Tank on April 23, 2016, 07:35:46 AM
What the living fuck! Such a bunch of spoil sports. But the fact is that it'll be 'Boaty McBoatface' until the day it goes to the scrap yard.
Yes, Long Live "Boaty McBoatface"!
That's what happens when you go against popular vote, their act of changing the name will force the "Boaty McBoatface" name to be even more prevalent, hopefully there will be a movement ensuring the name lives on forever, or at least as Tank says the boat hits the scrapyard.
My high school graduating class chose overwhelming as our class song,"The End", by the Doors, but our elected class representatives didn't feel this was appropriate what with the whole Oedipus complex thing so they chose "Magic Power", by Triumph instead without even notifying the student body.
There was considerable outrage by the student body, but it was too late as programs had already been printed, although we did burn the Class President in effigy!
At every class reunion we of course play "The End", by the Doors, any music by Triumph is strictly banned (They suck anyway)
Never even heard of Triumph.
Except the motor bikes.
Quote from: Tank on April 23, 2016, 05:34:07 PM
Never even heard of Triumph.
Except the motor bikes.
Of course you didn't they suck...the motor bikes, ah now those are nice. Always wanted either a Triumph or an Indian. Maybe one day when I grow up.
OMFSM! That's so great! My true class song is "Bittersweet Symphony" by the Verve. When the principal found out he just shook his head and sighed, "Really, come on guys..." And made us go with the runner up, which was Greenday's "Time of Your Life". But that song sucks so a bunch of people called foul as the group running the poll had told everyone, "if you don't care vote for Greenday," which obviously stacked the votes. In the end, we walked to Dylan's "Forever Young" which turned out ok because one of the teachers and one of the kids in my class ended up performing it as a guitar and mandolin duet.
Tl;dr - YAY MY CLASS ISNT THE ONLY BUNCH OF JADED WEIRDOS WITH UNAPOLOGETIC INAPPROPRIATE TASTE IN MUSIC
Quote from: Pasta Chick on April 23, 2016, 11:23:12 PM
OMFSM! That's so great! My true class song is "Bittersweet Symphony" by the Verve. When the principal found out he just shook his head and sighed, "Really, come on guys..." And made us go with the runner up, which was Greenday's "Time of Your Life". But that song sucks so a bunch of people called foul as the group running the poll had told everyone, "if you don't care vote for Greenday," which obviously stacked the votes. In the end, we walked to Dylan's "Forever Young" which turned out ok because one of the teachers and one of the kids in my class ended up performing it as a guitar and mandolin duet.
Tl;dr - YAY MY CLASS ISNT THE ONLY BUNCH OF JADED WEIRDOS WITH UNAPOLOGETIC INAPPROPRIATE TASTE IN MUSIC
I hadn't see your reply PC before now, and read it quite joyful!
YAY MY CLASS ISNT THE ONLY BUNCH OF JADED WEIRDOS WITH UNAPOLOGETIC INAPPROPRIATE TASTE IN MUSIC
Awesome!
So, the boat will be named after Sir David Attenborough (which is quite cool)
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/press/releases/2016/18-ship/
BUT.....
QuoteReflecting the global interest that the campaign drew, Science Minister Jo Johnson has also confirmed the popular suggestion Boaty McBoatface will live on as the name of one of the high-tech remotely operated sub-sea vehicles. The 'Boaty' sub-sea vehicle will be dispatched from RRS Sir David Attenborough to allow the ship's research crew to collect data and samples from the deepest waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.
Boaty McBoatface will live on!
I think this is actually the best outcome all round.
Does Attenborough get consulted in the naming?
Obviously Boaty McB is the best name but there must be proper scientists with names I can't draw to mind but I'm sure Sir D could.
Name it for someone or a team that worked hard without notice and have Dave tell us why they deserve it, that's what he's for.
It's a disaster, run dave run.