say my name

Look, this is a cheap shot and it's nothing new, but the first article I went to on Arts and Letters Daily was this cracker about baby names.

Now, nothing about bogan names or whatever, but how about:

• parents who have to consult a commercial baby name provider for advice? For all those who moan about the nanny state and the propensity of governments to interfere everywhere, doesn't this rather highlight a lack of confidence in one's own ability?
• someone who wants a name for their child that will "look good on a marquee or political banner". Suppose thr kid grows up to be an exotic dancer? Will a strong political name help? Suppose they become an axe murderer (because crime reports are the only time you'll ever see the person's middle name);
• 'And the growing brand consciousness among consumers has made parents more aware of how names can shape perceptions. The result: a child's name has become an emblem of individual taste more than a reflection of family traditions or cultural values. "We live in a marketing-oriented society," says Bruce Lansky, a former advertising executive and author of eight books on baby names, including "100,000 + Baby Names." "People who understand branding know that when you pick the right name, you're giving your child a head start."'

So, parents need to understand branding to ensure their kids get the right name. I suppose this dill believes his own bullshit, I'd be keen to check back in 20 or 30 years to see whether he's woken up that branding is not the sine qua non of human existence. On the other hand, if society is truly going down the commercial path to this extent, we are truly fucked. The success or failure of the Doha or any future rounds of trade liberalisation are a fleabite on the backside of economic progress compared to this type of insidious usurpation of human existence by the power of the dollar.

I'd say that words fail me, but clearly they haven't.

Now, back to Arts and Letters Daily, the question is whether to leave this post open to see what else pops up that requires a VVB-esque commentary.

Yes, let's.

What were we saying in the previous post about the abuse of English? Try this. Bits I especially love:

• "I'm often, like, hello?"
• "Eat's now"
• the many instances of "basically."

This is just too much fun on a Saturday night. I should get back to my work - or I could indulge in some of this.

Finally, bastard acts to emasculate workers' ability to look out for their own interests are everywhere.