My argument is NOT weakened
by Lillian (guest)
6/4/2006, 5:56 PM
There is a VERY strong argument to be made about the difference between real names and posting names, and it's a shame if you don't get it. We all know that 99.9% of people's names are chosen for them at birth by their parents. Whatever FairyGirl's real name is, I would bet large sums of money that she did NOT choose it herself. By contrast, posting names are chosen by the persons themselves, specifically for the sole purpose of representing oneself to the world. FairyGirl is an awfully flighty name to CHOOSE, for someone who doesn't like "stupid" and "daft" names.
Also, the tone and language FairyGirl CHOSE shows a very strong and clear dislike and disdain for unusual names (do I need to write "stupid" and "daft" again?). To begin with, she feels strongly enough about it to have to write the post at all. She used the absolutes "always" and "will" to describe total strangers' behavior, experience and motivation. "...they will be teased...will obviously change it..." I did not assume or imagine it; it's very obvious how she feels.
And I did not make an assumption about FairyGirl wanting everyone to use the same hundred names, I was expressing my OWN opinion about the seeming constant chatter on this board regarding other people's name choices being "stupid" or "daft" or "highly offensive" (as Adonai is, evidently, to Jews, like that should make a huge difference to someone who is not Jewish). It very often sounds as though many, many people here wish everyone on Earth would restrict their choices to what we BtN posters like. And I can't STAND some of the names other BtN posters like!
I am GLAD Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their baby Apple. I perceive it to be everything they think it is, sweet and innocent and poetic. And that is my OPINION. FairyGirl is entitled to her OPINION, too. And I can even have the OPINION that her OPINION is "stupid" and "daft." And YOU can have the same OPINION about ME, you are entitled to it as well.
If FairyGirl is going to publicize her OPINION, and thereby invite comments on same, she should know that there are always dissenters. Here, I am dissenting.
At least I put some thought into my OPINION, whereas I am not at all convinced FairyGirl did. You seem to, and good for you. But I'm sticking to mine.
~Lillian~
Proud daughter of Ann and John
Proud sister of Lauren and Leah
Proud wife of David
Proud mother of Alexander, Scarlett, Sophia, and Gideon