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Help[Opinions] Re: NO (m)
in reply to a message by queenv
agree - that story sounds like it was a myth written to demonize Edison. I'd like to see sources for the whole thing.
+ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Currents#Edison.27s_publicity_campaign
The citation is a book about electric chairs for execution, written in 1999. an amazon reviewer criticizes it for inaccuracies. Dunno.
- mirfak
+ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Currents#Edison.27s_publicity_campaign
The citation is a book about electric chairs for execution, written in 1999. an amazon reviewer criticizes it for inaccuracies. Dunno.
- mirfak
This message was edited 3/16/2015, 12:32 AM
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even discounting those stories Edison was a jerk. he stole people's ideas, he hired people to destroy other inventors work, and take a look at his feud with Tesla
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So did Watson and Crick, concerning DNA. Still, they accomplished things that are to be admired, beyond who they were as people. I would never name a child to honor them, but rather in memory of the great achievements their name brings to mind.
Not defending Edison... but rather the right to use a name despite it's associations.
Not defending Edison... but rather the right to use a name despite it's associations.
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I inadvertently linked his electricity experiments and his x-ray experiments. Through his Xray experiments, he killed Clarence Madison Daily, even though other scientists had warned that experiments with Xrays would be harmful on humans and animals.
The electrical chair story and the electrocution of animals is not made up. There are videos of Topsy being electrocuted and he electrocuted other animals before testing on Topsy.
Xrays: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ist/?next=/history/clarence-dally-the-man-who-gave-thomas-edison-x-ray-vision-123713565/
Electric Chair: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/edison-vs-westinghouse-a-shocking-rivalry-102146036/
Maybe she should name a son Tesla instead: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla
The electrical chair story and the electrocution of animals is not made up. There are videos of Topsy being electrocuted and he electrocuted other animals before testing on Topsy.
Xrays: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ist/?next=/history/clarence-dally-the-man-who-gave-thomas-edison-x-ray-vision-123713565/
Electric Chair: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/edison-vs-westinghouse-a-shocking-rivalry-102146036/
Maybe she should name a son Tesla instead: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla
This message was edited 3/16/2015, 1:36 AM
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Well, okay, but I can't conclude he was a sadistic or cruel character. He had the sensibilities of a businessman of his era. I don't think it ruins the name. I think it's good to remember that even our heroes are just humans who can do dumb and wrong things, but I think it's weirdly petty to associate the name Edison with animal cruelty instead of his inventions. Sort of like associating Tesla with having your work exploited.
This message was edited 3/16/2015, 9:12 AM
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I'd have to agree with you. I've read about many scientists, philosophers, businessmen, etc.... They all have their flaws. To boil a persons history down to some choices that were poor or seemed cruel in hindsight is arguable at best.
I happen to like the name Edison - outside of the relationship to Thomas Edison. And, I am not sure that Mareasi even mentioned that it would be in honor or relation to the scientist/business we are all discussing.
Maybe it would be in honor of the town in New Jersey, or a TV character, or even a brother named Edward (that is why we considered the name). I can think of Edison on it's own merits, and I like it.
I happen to like the name Edison - outside of the relationship to Thomas Edison. And, I am not sure that Mareasi even mentioned that it would be in honor or relation to the scientist/business we are all discussing.
Maybe it would be in honor of the town in New Jersey, or a TV character, or even a brother named Edward (that is why we considered the name). I can think of Edison on it's own merits, and I like it.
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