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Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

theatlantic.com

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Re: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

#121

Post by adrusi »

metafunctor wrote: post #33
jernfrost wrote: post #22

I don't agree with a lot of the conclusions of this article. E.g. they propose that voting "probably" works the same way in all other countries as the US. There are plenty of objections to be made against that. E.g. 1) the US being a two party state means that getting representatives which represents the great variety of voter opinions is exceedingly difficult. 2) US elections are so dominated by advertisement, expen…

Democracy can take many forms indeed. But let's think opportunistically, for a moment. In general, I'm inclined to think that in a democracy, the people should have more direct influence to things “closer” to them (by some measure), and less for bigger, nationwide, issues, of which they presumably have less understanding. This is, in fact, how most democratic nations work in practice. The case of Boaty McBoatface, th…

In general, I'm inclined to think that in a democracy, the people should have more direct influence to things “closer” to them (by some measure), and less for bigger, nationwide, issues, of which they presumably have less understanding. This is, in fact, how most democratic nations work in practice.

Problem is, it's easier to develop an understanding of national issues than local or regional issues because national issues get pushed on us by media, while you have to actually seek out information about anything local. Everyone talks about national issues, that's social pressure to become knowledgable about them.

Re: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

#122

Post by theseatoms »

chollida1 wrote: post #111
mrob wrote: post #2

The solution is simple. Continue calling the boat Boaty McBoatface. Ignore all references to the government's preferred name. They can choose what's painted on the side, but the name depends only on what people call it. If enough people call it Boaty McBoatface its name really is Boaty McBoatface. If your job depends on calling it the government's preferred name then subtly alter the timing of your speech to make it…

> The solution is simple. Continue calling the boat Boaty McBoatface. Ignore all references to the government's preferred name. This is good advice. In Toronto we have a baseball stadium called the Rogers Center ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Centre ). It was originally called the SkyDome but it was bought by a company called Rogers and renamed. Everyone still refers to it as the Skydome. Corporate branding b…

Likewise in Chicago, the Sears Tower is now technically the Willis Tower.

Re: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

#123

Post by a3n »

daemonk wrote: post #113

This name is obviously a joke name that probably shouldn't be used. Yes, there is a responsibility to maintain a democracy by the governing body. But shouldn't there also be a responsibility on the governed to take voting decisions seriously?

Why Be Serious? ™

Re: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

#124

Post by KON_Air »

dalke wrote: post #65
chrischen wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

See reply: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11547983 Most countries where there are more than two parties are smaller. Just like in the US at lower level elections independents and other party members might win.

For that matter, most countries are smaller than the US, both in size and population. There are only two countries with a larger population. China has one ruling political party, and India has had prime ministers from many different parties. For a full accounting, look back to the rise of the two party system during the Jacksonian era, or the current system of Democrats and Republicans (replacing the Whig party) star…

I am always mystified by how a country with such diverse geography and socioeconomics can be represented by just two parties.

Re: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

#125

Post by DanielStraight »

noir_lord wrote: post #51
metafunctor wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Democracy can take many forms indeed. But let's think opportunistically, for a moment. In general, I'm inclined to think that in a democracy, the people should have more direct influence to things “closer” to them (by some measure), and less for bigger, nationwide, issues, of which they presumably have less understanding. This is, in fact, how most democratic nations work in practice. The case of Boaty McBoatface, th…

If spun right the PR benefits of calling the thing Boaty McBoatface are huge. You could do merchandise, books, characters, You could have Boaty McBoatface sale up to the ice caps to look at why they are melting. It's not like this is unusual we had a Childrens TV series here that was massively popular about talking trains and talking helicopters. I think they squandered a massive opportunity because they don't unders…

The most popular talking vehicle, in the US at least, is named Thomas.

This isn't a particularly convincing argument for a silly name. If kids will accept Thomas, surely they'll accept a more serious name than Boaty McBoatface.

Re: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

#126

Post by hartpuff »

aninhumer wrote: post #98
hartpuff wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AFAIK there's nothing to stop someone creating a character called Boaty McBoatface that teaches 4 year olds why the ice caps are melting, without having its internet joke name attached to a real life $300 million scientific research vessel.

Well yeah, but that's not the same. And exactly what problem does attaching the name to a real boat cause? I think the objection to the name is far more childish than the name itself. "Oh no no no, we can't call it that . This is a serious boat, for serious grown ups."

Is it just $300 million scientific research vessels that should be given deliberately stupid names (that even the originator disowns), or everything?

Re: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

#127

Post by sputr »

Not calling it Boaty McBoatface will just be a massive missed opportunity for effective science outreach and a crappy PR move.

You say it's going to be doing important research? Great! Add a social media presence, pull in people with the "funny name" and keep them for the exciting and interesting research.

But you're not going to that, because you're too important for that, ... because you're snobs.

Re: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

#130

Post by _asummers »

theseatoms wrote: post #122
chollida1 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The solution is simple. Continue calling the boat Boaty McBoatface. Ignore all references to the government's preferred name. This is good advice. In Toronto we have a baseball stadium called the Rogers Center ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Centre ). It was originally called the SkyDome but it was bought by a company called Rogers and renamed. Everyone still refers to it as the Skydome. Corporate branding b…

Likewise in Chicago, the Sears Tower is now technically the Willis Tower.

It got bought again, though I don't know if the newest buyers plan on changing the name again.
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