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Help[Opinions] Steve (Naming trends and associations)
Well, sort of. I bought Steven Pinker's 'The Stuff of Thought' the other day because there was a chapter on naming, and I thought I'd share an excerpt from that chapter with you, pertaining specifically to the name Steve.
"The abundance of Steves in turn-of-the-century science has lead to the most formidable weapon in the fight against neo-creationism today: Project Steve. A brainchild of the National Centre for Science Education, the initiative is a parody of the creationist tradition of publishing lists of several dozen "scientists who dissent from Darwinism." The NCSE replied: "Oh, yeah? Well, we have a list of several hundred scientists who affirm evolution - just named Steve!" (And Stephanie, Steffi, Stefan, and Esteban.) ...
Hyperstevism is a phenomenon of the second half of the twentieth century. Like tulips, dot-com stocks and other examples of the madness of crowds, the fortunes of Steve fell as quickly as they rose. Today (2007) it has fallen to levels not seen since the nineteenth teens and it may become as geriatric as Elmer or Clem."
I'm never sure if topics like this should go on this board or on the OT one, since it's not really an opinion about a baby name but neither is it exactly 'off topic'. Here is a question to make it more relevant to this board! Are there any names you happen to find that seem (to you!) to be more common to a specific profession? Any names that make you think of a specific type of person?
"The abundance of Steves in turn-of-the-century science has lead to the most formidable weapon in the fight against neo-creationism today: Project Steve. A brainchild of the National Centre for Science Education, the initiative is a parody of the creationist tradition of publishing lists of several dozen "scientists who dissent from Darwinism." The NCSE replied: "Oh, yeah? Well, we have a list of several hundred scientists who affirm evolution - just named Steve!" (And Stephanie, Steffi, Stefan, and Esteban.) ...
Hyperstevism is a phenomenon of the second half of the twentieth century. Like tulips, dot-com stocks and other examples of the madness of crowds, the fortunes of Steve fell as quickly as they rose. Today (2007) it has fallen to levels not seen since the nineteenth teens and it may become as geriatric as Elmer or Clem."
I'm never sure if topics like this should go on this board or on the OT one, since it's not really an opinion about a baby name but neither is it exactly 'off topic'. Here is a question to make it more relevant to this board! Are there any names you happen to find that seem (to you!) to be more common to a specific profession? Any names that make you think of a specific type of person?
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I have the feeling this book isn't serious. (or else seriously funny.) I've never noticed one name being strictly in one profession, but I do work with 4 Debs and another retired a couple years ago, and we're in a school. I have a really common first name (for my age group), and I haven't met another teacher/ school staff member with it.
I also have trouble with Steve becoming geriatric like Elmer or Clem. Maybe that's because my cousin Steve was a year ahead of me in school, and there were at least 2 other Steves in his grade. We're no where near being that old.
I also have trouble with Steve becoming geriatric like Elmer or Clem. Maybe that's because my cousin Steve was a year ahead of me in school, and there were at least 2 other Steves in his grade. We're no where near being that old.
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No, it is being serious. http://ncse.com/taking-action/project-steve Though Steven Pinker does have a very humorous way of putting it, he's very entertaining for a non-fiction author.
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