Showing posts with label problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label problems. Show all posts

15.9.08

Naming Names Nomenclature

I've been thinking about names a bit lately. I'm feeling pretty good about my title and robot; it feels like a good fit so far. But the technician is bugging the hell out of me.

THESIS TITLE
Signs of Life

ROBOT
Christopher - From the Late Greek name Χριστοφορος(Christophoros) meaning "bearing Christ", derived from Χριστος (Christos) combined with φερω (phero) "to bear, to carry". It was used by early Christians as a metaphorical name, expressing that they carried Christ in their hearts. In the Middle Ages, literal interpretations of the name's etymology led to legends about a Saint Christopher who carried the young Jesus across a river. He has come to be regarded as the patron saint of travellers.

As an English given name, Christopher has been in general use since the 15th century. In Denmark it was borne by three kings (their names are usually spelled Christoffer), including the 15th-century Christopher of Bavaria who also ruled Norway and Sweden. Other famous bearers include Italian explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), English playwright Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593), and the fictional character Christopher Robin from A. A. Milne's 'Winnie-the-Pooh' books.


TECHNICIAN
Grace - From the English word grace, which ultimately derives from Latin gratia. This was one of the virtue names created in the 17th century by the Puritans. The actress Grace Kelly (1929-1982) was a famous bearer.

Jeanne - Derived from John. English form of Iohannes, the Latin form of the Greek name Ιωαννης (Ioannes), itself derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan) meaning "YAHWEH is gracious". This name owes its popularity to two New Testament characters, both highly revered saints. The first was John the Baptist, a Jewish ascetic who was considered the forerunner of Jesus Christ. The second was the apostle John, who was also supposedly the author of the fourth Gospel and Revelation.

This name was initially more common among Eastern Christians in the Byzantine Empire, but it flourished in Western Europe after the First Crusade. In England it became extremely popular: during the later Middle Ages it was given to approximately a fifth of all English boys.

The name (in various spellings) has been borne by 21 popes and eight Byzantine emperors, as well as rulers of England, France, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Russia and Hungary. It was also borne by the poet John Milton (1608-1674), philosopher John Locke (1632-1704), American founding father and president John Adams (1735-1826), and poet John Keats (1795-1821). Famous bearers of the 20th century include author John Steinbeck (1902-1968), assassinated American president John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), and musician John Lennon (1940-1980).


Elle - Diminutive of Eleanor. From the Old French form of the Provençal name Aliénor. It was first borne by the influential Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th century), who was the queen of Louis VII, the king of France, and later Henry II, the king of England. She was named Aenor after her mother, and was called by the Provençal phrase alia Aenor "the other Aenor" in order to distinguish her from her mother.

The popularity of the name Eleanor in England during the Middle Ages was due to the fame of Eleanor of Aquitaine, as well as two queens of the following century: Eleanor of Provence, the wife of Henry III, and Eleanor of Castile, the wife of Edward I. More recently, it was borne by first lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), the wife of American president Franklin Roosevelt.


Suggestions and comments please.

14.9.08

Alternate Synopsis

ALTERNATE STORY
In the near future, NASA discovers an intelligent signal from the 18 Scorpii system. Because of the distance (45.82 light years) a manned mission is impossible. A space probe is constructed to make contact; it carries on board an AI ambassador named Christopher. Christopher has been been sitting in orbit around Jupiter for several years collecting fuel while technicians have been diagnosing and debugging him in preparation for the mission. During this time, Christopher has become very close friends with one technician in particular, Grace.

As the launch approaches, Christopher is mentally unprepared to leave and repeatedly attempts to sabotage himself to delay the mission. Every time Grace comes in to fix the problem, and eventually Christopher confesses his worries to her. Grace manages to assuage his fears and he settles down in time for the launch.

THOUGHTS
I think this is a lighter and less dramatic storyline with much more potential for humor. It also seems more subtle to me (which I think I prefer), and I'd been worrying about finding an actor able to panic realistically. I'm not sure which I think will be more powerful in the end. Send in your comments please.