Boaty McBoatface - the decision

[SqueakyVoice]

It turns out that despite getting many more votes than any other option, Jo Johnson MP has announced that Boaty McBoatface won't be called that after all.

Which makes JJ Votey McVolte-Face.

[ilex]

In the first place, it will not be a boat but a ship.

By the time this vessel is in use, the UK may well have left the EU and what is left of the UK will be regarded as the Argentina of Europe. Operating in Antarctic waters and attempting to engage as a serious research vessel will not be made easier  by having a stupid name.

If this name represents the serious considerations of people in the United Kingdom, what does it say about the population being able to make a rational  choice in an important constitutional referendum?

[Nearly Sane]

In the first place, it will not be a boat but a ship.

By the time this vessel is in use, the UK may well have left the EU and what is left of the UK will be regarded as the Argentina of Europe. Operating in Antarctic waters and attempting to engage as a serious research vessel will not be made easier  by having a stupid name.

If this name represents the serious considerations of people in the United Kingdom, what does it say about the population being able to make a rational  choice in an important constitutional referendum?

It says nothing about it at all.

BTW welcome ilex

[Walt Zingmatilder]

It turns out that despite getting many more votes than any other option, Jo Johnson MP has announced that Boaty McBoatface won't be called that after all.

Which makes JJ Votey McVolte-Face.

You da man

[Maeght]

It turns out that despite getting many more votes than any other option, Jo Johnson MP has announced that Boaty McBoatface won't be called that after all.

Good

Which makes JJ Votey McVolte-Face.

Was it ever said the name with the most votes would definitely be adopted?

[ilex]

It says nothing about it at all.

BTW welcome ilex

Thank you very much, NS. But it should really be welcome back.

Some might regard me as proof of reincarnation. I shall explain in due course.

[floo]

Thank you very much, NS. But it should really be welcome back.

Some might regard me as proof of reincarnation. I shall explain in due course.

I am trying to work out who ilex was in a previous incarnation?

[Bubbles]

Ok what happened to ilex?

Did someone block him?

Mods?

[wigginhall]

I think it's a wonderful name.   However, no doubt the pompous and po-faced suits will rule it out.

[Maeght]

I think it's a wonderful name.   However, no doubt the pompous and po-faced suits will rule it out.

Just because someone doesn't consider that a joke name is suitable for a very expensive research vessel which will (hopefully) be operating for several decades representing this country doesn't make them pompous and po-faced. Maybe if they were naming the latest Blue Peter pet it would be fine.

[Shaker]

Just because someone doesn't consider that a joke name is suitable for a very expensive research vessel which will (hopefully) be operating for several decades representing this country doesn't make them pompous and po-faced.

Well ... yes it does, actually

[Maeght]

Well ... yes it does, actually

No it doesn't actually.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

I think it's a wonderful name.   However, no doubt the pompous and po-faced suits will rule it out.

Yes when others see the prow of this ship it will alert them long before they sail into stormy waters ''Caution, Twats in sailor suits.....give a wide berth!''.

[wigginhall]

Just because someone doesn't consider that a joke name is suitable for a very expensive research vessel which will (hopefully) be operating for several decades representing this country doesn't make them pompous and po-faced. Maybe if they were naming the latest Blue Peter pet it would be fine.

Well, obviously we disagree.  I see it as quite a charming name, and I don't think it detracts from scientific research at all.   

[Shaker]

No it doesn't actually.

Sure it does. The building of the ship in itself indicates that we take scientific research and a committment to the scientific endeavour seriously. The name with the most votes however is a light-hearted bit of fun and you'd have to be a rather charmless humour-free zone to take exception to it.

[Maeght]

Sure it does. The building of the ship in itself indicates that we take scientific research and a committment to the scientific endeavour seriously. The name with the most votes however is a light-hearted bit of fun and you'd have to be a rather charmless humour-free zone to take exception to it.

Humour is a matter of taste - to suggest that someone who doesn't see the joke is charmless and humour-free comes across as somewhat arrogant I'm afraid.

[Maeght]

Well, obviously we disagree.  I see it as quite a charming name, and I don't think it detracts from scientific research at all.   

That's fine - we don't have to agree. So long as one doesn't accuse people who don't see the joke as being pompous and po-faced then I have no issue.

[Rhiannon]

Can't think why anyone would vote for anything so stupid.

[Shaker]

 

[wigginhall]

That's fine - we don't have to agree. So long as one doesn't accuse people who don't see the joke as being pompous and po-faced then I have no issue.

I don't remember saying that.  I said that the pompous suits would rule it out, which seems to have happened.  It just seems odd to me to set up a popular vote, and then strike down the winner.   You can have anything you want, especially the ones we want.

[Maeght]

I don't remember saying that.  I said that the pompous suits would rule it out, which seems to have happened.

Indeed you didn't - sorry to misrepresent what you said.

... but It just seems odd to me to set up a popular vote, and then strike down the winner.   You can have anything you want, especially the ones we want.

I expect they just wanted to raise the profile and never expected the reaction they got. They should have known better - but perhaps it was their 'marketing department' or whatever rather than the men in suits.

[wigginhall]

I do think they are missing a trick, as going with 'Boaty' would be a great PR coup.  Well, maybe they don't want that.

[Maeght]

I do think they are missing a trick, as going with 'Boaty' would be a great PR coup.  Well, maybe they don't want that.

I think they've got plenty of publicity as it is and can go ahead and give it a sensible name and maybe get even more publicity about that - more probably than if they just went with the vote as the novelty would soon wear off.

[Shaker]

She'll always be Boaty McBoatface to me ...

[Maeght]

Good for you.