"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
I remember this from Shakespeare at school (we did a lot of Shakespeare) but is he right? As someone obsessed with communication (yes, I admit it) I understand what he was trying to say (and in the context of the play he is right), but words are very important in our perception of things. I often wonder why places are called things like "Center for Depressive Illness", when I would think a "Center for Feeling Great" would be much more effective.
So I have declared my bias, but even I acknowledge that PETA have gone way too far with this.. Today I saw a headline that read:
PETA asks Spearfish High School officials to change name to Sea Kitten High
Now, as someone who has rarely (maybe a dozen times) eaten meat since the early 80's I am as much for animal rights as the next person (or maybe more) but 'Sea Kitten' ? Says a PETA spokesperson "if children were taught to refer to fish as "sea kittens," reflecting that fish, like cats and dogs, are "individuals" that "do have friendships," fewer fish might be killed for food or sport"
Fish = Sea Kittens ? Will England have "Sea Kitten and chips" as their national dish? Will we say "There are plenty more sea kittens in the sea" or will people become "seakitten-ermen" if they work on boats? Will sushi be made from raw sea kitten in future?
Did PETA do this just for publicity - (i hope so, I really hope so). The Principal of Spearfish High, has said "he did not want to share his feelings about PETA. "Obviously, it's nothing we're taking seriously,"
PERFECT.
