Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
Newbury Today Forum _ Random Rants _ Boaty McBoatface
Posted by: Simon Kirby May 8 2016, 06:10 PM
I'm disappointed that the poe-faced officials have rejected the name "Boaty McBoatface" for Nerc's new research vessel. A sense of humour is a good thing for a scientist because as well as discipline and precision good science also needs wit and invention, and the name had that. Good science also needs public support, and I can't imagine Nerc's work has ever had such positive public exposure as it got in the naming of their research vessel. And for me I now have nothing but contempt for those suit-wearing petty-minded dullards.
Posted by: motormad May 8 2016, 07:35 PM
It about sums up what sort of democracy we live in when a public vote is not listened to.
As much as I like Attenborough, McBoatface is a better name.
Posted by: Andy Capp May 8 2016, 07:42 PM
Floaty Woaty Boaty was my effort.
Posted by: je suis Charlie May 8 2016, 07:50 PM
QUOTE (Simon Kirby @ May 8 2016, 07:10 PM) 
I'm disappointed that the poe-faced officials have rejected the name "Boaty McBoatface" for Nerc's new research vessel. A sense of humour is a good thing for a scientist because as well as discipline and precision good science also needs wit and invention, and the name had that. Good science also needs public support, and I can't imagine Nerc's work has ever had such positive public exposure as it got in the naming of their research vessel. And for me I now have nothing but contempt for those suit-wearing petty-minded dullards.
I agree, totally. Why ask the public then ignore their wishes. Probably run by a Tory committee. I liked Boaty, showed the world we're not all twerps.
Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome May 8 2016, 07:51 PM
QUOTE (Simon Kirby @ May 8 2016, 07:10 PM)
I'm disappointed that the poe-faced officials have rejected the name "Boaty McBoatface" for Nerc's new research vessel. A sense of humour is a good thing for a scientist because as well as discipline and precision good science also needs wit and invention, and the name had that. Good science also needs public support, and I can't imagine Nerc's work has ever had such positive public exposure as it got in the naming of their research vessel. And for me I now have nothing but contempt for those suit-wearing petty-minded dullards.
Why bother having a vote? I could understand if it was something rude but if we want boaty we should get it.
More pertinently a lot of kids and possible future scientists may well now be put off.
Posted by: Simon Kirby May 8 2016, 09:03 PM
QUOTE (TallDarkAndHandsome @ May 8 2016, 08:51 PM)
Why bother having a vote? I could understand if it was something rude but if we want boaty we should get it.
More pertinently a lot of kids and possible future scientists may well now be put off.
More pertinently a lot of kids and possible future scientists may well now be put off.
Couldn't agree more.
Posted by: On the edge May 8 2016, 09:09 PM
Who was it who said if voting changed anything they'd abolish it.
Posted by: Andy Capp May 8 2016, 09:17 PM
QUOTE (On the edge @ May 8 2016, 10:09 PM)
Who was it who said if voting changed anything they'd abolish it.
Mr Livingstone I presume.
Posted by: On the edge May 8 2016, 09:22 PM
QUOTE (Andy Capp @ May 8 2016, 10:17 PM)
Mr Livingstone I presume.
No, shush, Tony Benn, but best not mention him round here!
Posted by: Andy Capp May 8 2016, 10:10 PM
QUOTE (On the edge @ May 8 2016, 10:22 PM)
No, shush, Tony Benn, but best not mention him round here!
I was thinking of this:
Posted by: Turin Machine May 9 2016, 12:44 AM
QUOTE (On the edge @ May 8 2016, 10:22 PM)
No, shush, Tony Benn, but best not mention him round here!
Commie!
Posted by: On the edge May 9 2016, 05:57 AM
QUOTE (Andy Capp @ May 8 2016, 11:10 PM)
I was thinking of this:
You are probably right! Its fairly old, I think it was Emma Goldman who came up with it, way back.
Posted by: Biker1 May 9 2016, 08:20 AM
Similar to the crazy rubbish names they give to railway locomotives these days.
The grand old names of the steam and first generation diesel names have been substituted in may cases by commercial rubbish.
I think it may have all started with the naming of an HST power car "Top Of The Pops" in 1984 at Paddington by non other than Jimmy Saville! 
Posted by: On the edge May 9 2016, 08:53 AM
QUOTE (Biker1 @ May 9 2016, 09:20 AM)
Similar to the crazy rubbish names they give to railway locomotives these days.
The grand old names of the steam and first generation diesel names have been substituted in may cases by commercial rubbish.
I think it may have all started with the naming of an HST power car "Top Of The Pops" in 1984 at Paddington by non other than Jimmy Saville!
The grand old names of the steam and first generation diesel names have been substituted in may cases by commercial rubbish.
I think it may have all started with the naming of an HST power car "Top Of The Pops" in 1984 at Paddington by non other than Jimmy Saville!
Brilliant find, just think what a good job it was that they didn't actually name the engine after himself; otherwise even more would be able to say they'd been pulled by Jimmy Saville!!!
Posted by: Turin Machine May 9 2016, 10:28 AM
QUOTE (Biker1 @ May 9 2016, 09:20 AM)
Similar to the crazy rubbish names they give to railway locomotives these days.
The grand old names of the steam and first generation diesel names have been substituted in may cases by commercial rubbish.
I think it may have all started with the naming of an HST power car "Top Of The Pops" in 1984 at Paddington by non other than Jimmy Saville!
The grand old names of the steam and first generation diesel names have been substituted in may cases by commercial rubbish.
I think it may have all started with the naming of an HST power car "Top Of The Pops" in 1984 at Paddington by non other than Jimmy Saville!
I remember, and wasn't the next one called 'pervy the perv face' ?
Posted by: Berkshirelad May 9 2016, 11:49 AM
I am sure that you will be pleased to know that Boaty McBoatface is not being discarded, but applied to one of the submersibles attached to the ship
Posted by: On the edge May 9 2016, 12:50 PM
QUOTE (Berkshirelad @ May 9 2016, 12:49 PM)
I am sure that you will be pleased to know that Boaty McBoatface is not being discarded, but applied to one of the submersibles attached to the ship
Ahh yes, we've listened to the voters! That's a bit like say a Council reopening closed public toilets just until the public clamour to keep open dies down.
Nice one.
Posted by: Simon Kirby May 9 2016, 05:41 PM
QUOTE (Berkshirelad @ May 9 2016, 12:49 PM)
I am sure that you will be pleased to know that Boaty McBoatface is not being discarded, but applied to one of the submersibles attached to the ship
I'm not pleased at all, it's a minced concession, and a mealy-mouthed lukewarm one at that.
Posted by: x2lls May 9 2016, 11:13 PM
Just listen, sorry, read yourselves.
It's not a general election or a referendum.
Posted by: newres May 10 2016, 01:10 AM
The name Boaty McBoatface demonstrates perfectly why referenda are a bad idea.
Posted by: On the edge May 10 2016, 05:50 AM
QUOTE (newres @ May 10 2016, 02:10 AM)
The name Boaty McBoatface demonstrates perfectly why referenda are a bad idea.
If you have taken office, simply to exercise power, referenda certainly are a bad idea!
Posted by: On the edge May 10 2016, 05:52 AM
QUOTE (x2lls @ May 10 2016, 12:13 AM)
Just listen, sorry, read yourselves.
It's not a general election or a referendum.
It's not a general election or a referendum.
So why ask the question?
Posted by: Blake May 10 2016, 06:51 AM
QUOTE (Simon Kirby @ May 8 2016, 07:10 PM)
I'm disappointed that the poe-faced officials have rejected the name "Boaty McBoatface" for Nerc's new research vessel. A sense of humour is a good thing for a scientist because as well as discipline and precision good science also needs wit and invention, and the name had that. Good science also needs public support, and I can't imagine Nerc's work has ever had such positive public exposure as it got in the naming of their research vessel. And for me I now have nothing but contempt for those suit-wearing petty-minded dullards.
Au contraire; my toes curled when I heard of the facile and pathetic name some half-witted low brow idiots had contrived. I did wonder if we'd become a nation of inarticulates.
I'm glad common sense has prevailed.
Posted by: Biker1 May 10 2016, 07:19 AM
QUOTE (Turin Machine @ May 9 2016, 11:28 AM)
I remember, and wasn't the next one called 'pervy the perv face' ?
Yes, by "popular" vote!
Posted by: Biker1 May 10 2016, 07:22 AM
QUOTE (On the edge @ May 9 2016, 09:53 AM)
Brilliant find, just think what a good job it was that they didn't actually name the engine after himself; otherwise even more would be able to say they'd been pulled by Jimmy Saville!!!
Ooooh you are awful.............but I like you!
(By the late D|ck Emery's Mandy, in case some are not old enough to remember.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkLRZzukcJc a reminder.
Posted by: x2lls May 10 2016, 07:35 AM
QUOTE (On the edge @ May 10 2016, 06:52 AM)
So why ask the question?
I do believe it was for suggestions with no commitment to use the most popular.
Posted by: On the edge May 10 2016, 07:40 AM
QUOTE (x2lls @ May 10 2016, 08:35 AM)
I do believe it was for suggestions with no commitment to use the most popular.
OK, can see your point; I hadn't appreciated the no commitment bit.
Posted by: On the edge May 10 2016, 07:42 AM
QUOTE (Biker1 @ May 10 2016, 08:22 AM)
Ooooh you are awful.............but I like you!
(By the late D|ck Emery's Mandy, in case some are not old enough to remember.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkLRZzukcJc a reminder.
(By the late D|ck Emery's Mandy, in case some are not old enough to remember.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkLRZzukcJc a reminder.
Posted by: Turin Machine May 14 2016, 09:08 AM
Yay!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3588799/Forget-Boaty-McBoatface-Google-s-latest-AI-language-software-called-Parsey-McParseface-failed-bid-British-research-boat.html
Posted by: Simon Kirby May 14 2016, 03:17 PM
QUOTE (Turin Machine @ May 14 2016, 10:08 AM)
Yay!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3588799/Forget-Boaty-McBoatface-Google-s-latest-AI-language-software-called-Parsey-McParseface-failed-bid-British-research-boat.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3588799/Forget-Boaty-McBoatface-Google-s-latest-AI-language-software-called-Parsey-McParseface-failed-bid-British-research-boat.html
Nice.
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)