Ideas

[fadingtogrey.livejournal.com]

Hello all. :)

I was thinking the other day about starting a sort of registry for system names. I haven't seen any two systems with the same name yet, but it might be a good idea to have a regularly updated list somewhere, to try to prevent this from happening. Not that it would be a disaster if two systems had the same system name, but it would be good for systems looking for a new name--partially to give ideas but mostly so they know which ones to avoid. Does anyone think this would be a good idea? If so, does anyone have a website they could host it on? If not, I probably can; I'm just not very computer literate so if someone more capable can do this, everyone would be better off.

Also, I've been longing for some sort of subtle symbol to wear out in public to identify ourselves as multiple. Like the rainbow used by the gay community, or the parrot sometimes used by the poly community. Something like a pin of a winged toaster. ;) I know ideas for a universal symbol of multiplicity have been batted back and forth for a long time; I'd like to actually get something started that can be worn by all of us daily, a kind of badge of pride. What do you think?

Comments

[fadingtogrey.livejournal.com]

Why was my suggestion offensive? I'm not saying no two systems should have the same name. I think an unofficial registry would help those looking for a name who don't want to take one already in use. A lot of systems prize their individuality; this would help them.

Your comment wasn't snarky at all; the tone was fine, so no worries about coming across as overly defensive. :) I'm just confused as to why the suggestion would have provoked such a reaction from you.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

Likely because the real system name has to be something that appeals to a group's identity, their deeply personal who-they-are, and if someone else has the same system name, that matters little or nothing if the people feel right about calling themselves a certain thing. The online handles, though, are something else again.

[fadingtogrey.livejournal.com]

It seems I sounded like I wanted to make a rule that no two systems should be allowed to have the same name. The idea is more for archival than tyrannical purposes. :/

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

Not that you wanted it to be that way, but that there might be people who think it was "not allowed" -- there are so many plurals, especially self-recognized and younger plurals, who fear that they aren't "doing it right" or want to express themselves exactly like the others whom they meet on line so as to not be thought of as faking or something. They worry that there are more "rules" than there actually are.

That is why we keep saying that the glossary of words we have on our website are just for reference so people will have terminology in common -- not that these are TEH ONLY TERMZ you must use. These words were not made up by us, but were coined and collected by a lot of groups over the years. And I'd like to take this opportunity to say that not only should everybody feel free to contribute their terms if they use or have heard of one that we don't have on there, but please host the glossary on your own website.

[shandra.livejournal.com]

I had the same reaction.

Part of it was a feeling that there are a lot of Susan Smiths, and Susan Smiths still deal with it, so why would multiple systems have to treat it any differently?

The other part of it was in fact what you said - "A lot of systems prize their individuality." Well, that's fine - every system, like every person, is unique, but it smacked to me of Super Specialness!(tm) where people may go nuts and say "Didn't you check the registry! Don't you know I am the ONE TRUE KRUEW!"

So those are some other reasons why. :)

[fadingtogrey.livejournal.com]

"Didn't you check the registry! Don't you know I am the ONE TRUE KRUEW!"

Huh. I don't think that way, so that's probably why I didn't think anyone would have that kind of reaction. (The "didn't you check the registry?!" bit.) I just think it would be helpful for systems looking for a new name. Though you're right, it has potential to cause drama. But there's very little in the world that doesn't have potential for drama.

[dark-blade.livejournal.com]

Pretty much what ksol and Shandra said...