The best nomative determinism I've ever personally seen is a guy I knew named John Data who worked at IBM back in the day. Can you imagine calling someone out to work on your compoter system and the guy who shows up is literally called Mr. Data.
this post was submitted on 18 May 2024
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Nominative Determinism
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Nominative determinism is the hypothesis that people tend to gravitate towards areas of work that fit their names. The term was first used in the magazine New Scientist in 1994, after the magazine's humorous "Feedback" column noted several studies carried out by researchers with remarkably fitting surnames. These included a book on polar explorations by Daniel Snowman and an article on urology by researchers named Splatt and Weedon. These and other examples led to light-hearted speculation that some sort of psychological effect was at work.
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I've known a network engineer named wan-lan as his last name. An undertaker named cerial Mort. And a plastic surgeon named doctor tits
I believed you until Dr. Tits
Well I'll be damned
"Tits Group" is a well known object in mathematics named after one Dr. Tits, but I admit plastic surgeon is another level
the guy who shows up is literally called Mr. Data.
Alt text: For a long time, people thought maybe Usain Bolt was the one for running, until the 2090s and the incredible dominance of Derek Legs.
I won't believe in nominative determinism until Usain Bolt quits his athletics career to become a machinist.
Bold prediction that there will be mountain skiing in 2050.
Alt text or no upvote.