I have long been fascinated by place and species names, the stories they tell, the stories they hide, and the stories they erase. For far too long, though, the bestowing of such names was primarily controlled by white men, who often honored themselves, their friends or family, or their patrons. Because these men were usually visiting or encountering the landscape/plant/animal for the first time, they had minimal connections to what they named and were often blind to the deeper stories of longtime residents. Just consider some of the most famous names in my neighborhood: Mt. Rainier, named by
This decision by the AOU has created unique and just silly discussions on various platforms—usually by folks who are mis-informed as to ‘why’ the AOU is taking these steps. Your essay David is a very nice synopsis and reflects much of my thought process regarding this change. Whoa to anyone who has branded their business name using what will soon be an archaic bird name.
Greetings David! Thanks for your insight on this topic! I had a feeling that it would ruffle more than a few feathers. My knee jerk reaction to this renaming movement was to go back to the Latin name. Alas, we can't even do that. Linnaeus is probably rolling in his grave...just sayin'
Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And that process is continuing day be day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except the endless present in which the party is always right.
This decision by the AOU has created unique and just silly discussions on various platforms—usually by folks who are mis-informed as to ‘why’ the AOU is taking these steps. Your essay David is a very nice synopsis and reflects much of my thought process regarding this change. Whoa to anyone who has branded their business name using what will soon be an archaic bird name.
Yes, whoa to thee, though, of course, I still like the name and see nothing wrong with it.
Still waiting for "birds’ names for each other". Need some bird humor.
Looking forward to Port Townsend on Saturday.
Greetings David! Thanks for your insight on this topic! I had a feeling that it would ruffle more than a few feathers. My knee jerk reaction to this renaming movement was to go back to the Latin name. Alas, we can't even do that. Linnaeus is probably rolling in his grave...just sayin'
Always appreciate a good word play!
Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And that process is continuing day be day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except the endless present in which the party is always right.
George Orwell
Seems like an opportunity to rename some birds in a descriptive manner also
thx for another wonderful installment - puts me in mind of the Ursula K. LeGuin story, “She Unnames Them”: https://marswillsendnomore.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/07ae4-she-unnames-them-by-ursula-leguin.pdf