ApolloHoax.net

Off Topic => Other Conspiracy Theories => Topic started by: gillianren on March 08, 2015, 01:23:09 PM

Title: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: gillianren on March 08, 2015, 01:23:09 PM
I've mentioned my friend Chris and his son who had measles.  Chris's friends delight in delving the depths of the internet on his behalf, which is kind of how the family ended up on ABC, CBS, and CNN, talking about their experiences.  Things have gotten interesting since the CNN appearance; there's now a YouTube video claiming that they don't exist.  Because they are the Loop family, and their son's name is Mobius, and that's obviously a fake name.

I will concede one point.  Yes, Chris is an actor.  Has been as long as I've known him; we first met the night he played Rooster in his junior high production of Annie.  But Ariel is a nurse, which they also fail to believe, and just because Chris is an actor, it doesn't mean "concerned parent Christopher Loop" is a character he's playing.  He isn't playing Typical Parent enough to wear pants.  (He's in a kilt in all three appearances; none of the reporters commented on this.)  He really is concerned about his four-month-old son, who really did get measles.

But you see, Chris and Ariel and especially Mobius have to be fake for a certain worldview, because if they're real, it means there's something wrong with the worldview.  And does anyone know why the guys in the video kept referring to "Ebola green"?  Is that a thing?
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: JayUtah on March 09, 2015, 11:53:10 AM
I assume they nickname him Moby.  My friend's last name is deHaan, and when he asked me for ideas on what to name his firstborn son, I suggested Attila.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Sus_pilot on March 09, 2015, 12:04:29 PM

I assume they nickname him Moby.  My friend's last name is deHaan, and when he asked me for ideas on what to name his firstborn son, I suggested Attila.

<groooooaaaaannnnn>
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: gwiz on March 09, 2015, 12:55:01 PM
And does anyone know why the guys in the video kept referring to "Ebola green"?  Is that a thing?
I was bored enough to Google this, it's a conspiracy theory that Ebola is a fake because some victims have been pictured in green shirts.  The logic escapes me, but that isn't unusual for a conspiracy theory.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: gillianren on March 09, 2015, 12:56:28 PM
I assume they nickname him Moby.  My friend's last name is deHaan, and when he asked me for ideas on what to name his firstborn son, I suggested Attila.

Yeah, and every time the name thing comes up, Chris points out that the kid's middle name is Benjamin, so it's not like he's a complete monster.  The funny thing is that almost none of us had noticed that Ariel's name is a pun until another blog pointed it out in trying to shame them for having named Mobius that.  That blog asked what the kid's great-grandmother would think of that name (one of Chris's grandmothers is one of his Facebook friends; said grandmother's official reaction is "meh") and grumbled about the lack of naming tradition these days.  Including that none of them are saints' names, because it was a Catholic blog.  Weirdly, one of the examples given of "not a saint's name" is Aidan; Saint Aidan was at Lindisfarne.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: JayUtah on March 09, 2015, 01:44:34 PM
Yeah, and every time the name thing comes up, Chris points out that the kid's middle name is Benjamin, so it's not like he's a complete monster.

At least none of the kids is named Infinite.  Honestly, when your name is a common word there are just too few names that won't escape some sort of mockery.  Because we live in a puerile world, sometimes.

Quote
The funny thing is that almost none of us had noticed that Ariel's name is a pun...

She married into that one, though.  I would have.  That's a subtle one, and therefore a good one.

Quote
Including that none of them are saints' names, because it was a Catholic blog.  Weirdly, one of the examples given of "not a saint's name" is Aidan; Saint Aidan was at Lindisfarne.

Utah has its own odd name space.  Some names borrow from the majority religion, but most are simply ill-conceived collisions among nonsense syllables.  The formula something-en is the most common.  The rest are contrived respellings of reasonably acceptable names, requiring even common-sounding names to be spelled explicitly whenever invoked.  I know a half-dozen or so Bradens, each with a different spelling.

Outside of Utah I think the most amusing example was a recruiter I used to work with named Cortney Marshall, who insisted on going by Cort.

I leave my documentary appearances off my theater resume to avoid confusion.  I put them on my professional resume.  Before that, casting directors had trouble comprehending my on-screen appearances.

Good catch on the saint name.  I believe a kid needs at least one name to go by that isn't going to get him teased at a tender age.  Oddly enough, my neighbor kids growing up all had interesting nicknames:  Tad, Izz-Bizz, Bomb, Boo, and Geedo.  They were used so frequently that we lost sight of how ridiculous some of them sounded, and even occasionally forgot their real names.  I'm hoping the Church Invisible continues to provide names that are still viable centuries hence.

The larger issue of asserting that someone is fake because they have an unusual or clever name is, I agree, consummately grasping at straws.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Echnaton on March 09, 2015, 02:09:30 PM
I assume they nickname him Moby.  My friend's last name is deHaan, and when he asked me for ideas on what to name his firstborn son, I suggested Attila.
With friends like that......
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Echnaton on March 09, 2015, 02:14:42 PM
none of us had noticed that Ariel's name is a pun

Some friends named there daughter Ariel.  Her dad an I would discusses how little Antenna was doing.  The mom was not accommodating to this particular nick name, so it didn't stick.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: ka9q on March 09, 2015, 07:06:54 PM
Some friends named there daughter Ariel.  Her dad an I would discusses how little Antenna was doing. 
The word aerial is arguably quite antiquated in my industry these days, but I would have said the same thing about wireless (meaning radio) until the late 1980s or so. Funny how old words have a way of becoming new again after all the old people who used them have died off.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Sus_pilot on March 09, 2015, 11:32:32 PM
Of course, William Lear (of LearJet fame) named his daughter Chanda.  Really.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: gillianren on March 10, 2015, 03:10:40 AM
At least none of the kids is named Infinite.  Honestly, when your name is a common word there are just too few names that won't escape some sort of mockery.  Because we live in a puerile world, sometimes.

They only have one kid; the next one could well be named Infinite.  Another suggestion (there were a lot of them after that particular blog was found) was Loopdi.

Quote
She married into that one, though.  I would have.  That's a subtle one, and therefore a good one.

Chris admits that he spotted it before she did, but it was also part of his proposal, which also tells you a good deal about them.

Quote
Utah has its own odd name space.  Some names borrow from the majority religion, but most are simply ill-conceived collisions among nonsense syllables.  The formula something-en is the most common.  The rest are contrived respellings of reasonably acceptable names, requiring even common-sounding names to be spelled explicitly whenever invoked.  I know a half-dozen or so Bradens, each with a different spelling.

I read recently that the most common name trend right now is "ends in 'n,'" but if you limit names to one spelling per, the trend pretty much vanishes.  So if you go with "Braden," "Brayden," "Braiden" and "Bradyn" as all being one name, for example.

Quote
Outside of Utah I think the most amusing example was a recruiter I used to work with named Cortney Marshall, who insisted on going by Cort.

Yeah, I can get that.

Quote
Good catch on the saint name.  I believe a kid needs at least one name to go by that isn't going to get him teased at a tender age.  Oddly enough, my neighbor kids growing up all had interesting nicknames:  Tad, Izz-Bizz, Bomb, Boo, and Geedo.  They were used so frequently that we lost sight of how ridiculous some of them sounded, and even occasionally forgot their real names.  I'm hoping the Church Invisible continues to provide names that are still viable centuries hence.

I confess that I looked it up, but my initial reaction was, "Wait a minute.  That's not a new name; it's an Irish name.  And a pretty old one.  There has to be a Saint Aidan somewhere."  Because honestly, if it's a traditional Irish or Italian name, I assume there's probably a Saint Whatever-It-Is.  Or Spanish.  And I'll agree--Simon's middle name is actually Alexander simply so he is more likely to be able to find something to go by somewhere in his name that he relates to.

Quote
The larger issue of asserting that someone is fake because they have an unusual or clever name is, I agree, consummately grasping at straws.

One of the games at my baby shower was "match the celebrity to their kid's name."  If Apple Paltrow exists in this world, and I think we have proof that she does, what's so unbelievable about Mobius Loop?
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: BazBear on March 10, 2015, 01:04:20 PM
I think the oddest first name I've run into in meat space is Entropy. His father was a hippyish physics student back in the early 70s when Entropy was born (actually, he is still pretty hippyish). He has a totally mundane English last name though.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Sus_pilot on March 10, 2015, 01:30:58 PM
So, when Entropy was an infant and kept him up all night, his dad would get tired? 

Sorry.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: BazBear on March 10, 2015, 02:55:49 PM
So, when Entropy was an infant and kept him up all night, his dad would get tired? 

Sorry.
<straight man> I'm not sure, I didn't meet them until he was about 10 and dad was 30 something. </straight man> :)
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Luke Pemberton on March 10, 2015, 03:27:38 PM
I think the oddest first name I've run into in meat space is Entropy.

I bet Entropy's life started very ordered but it's chaos now.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: ka9q on March 11, 2015, 04:04:30 AM
I bet Entropy's life started very ordered but it's chaos now.
At least he can count on always coming out ahead.

Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: onebigmonkey on March 11, 2015, 05:22:51 AM
Yep, in the world of the conspiracy theorist nothing is real, everything is conjured up purely for their benefit - the entire world's media and political elite are manufacturing things left right and centre just to make them fooled - damn how lucky we are that these guys are keeping their eyes open for us.

That's how egocentric and narcissistic these people are.

On the naming front, we have a guy at work whose surname is Jones. His parents saw fit to name him Tom. It's not unusual. Oh he never tires of that line...
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Zakalwe on March 11, 2015, 05:34:47 AM

True story.

We had a Mr Sherunkle in our company once. His parents named him Robert. Ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Mr. Bob Sherunkle.  ;D ;D
We also have a Ken Kong too, and a Steven Wankoff  :o :o

Many a spare moment was whiled away by searching our company directory of 100,000 employees for the weird and wonderful.

Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: darren r on March 11, 2015, 06:44:08 AM

True story.

We had a Mr Sherunkle in our company once. His parents named him Robert. Ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Mr. Bob Sherunkle.  ;D ;D
We also have a Ken Kong too, and a Steven Wankoff  :o :o



As a Brit, I find that last one particularly amusing. Though, to be honest, the Wankel Rotary Engine was a source of endless hilarity with me and my peers when I was a kid.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Zakalwe on March 11, 2015, 07:26:51 AM
As a Brit, I find that last one particularly amusing. Though, to be honest, the Wankel Rotary Engine was a source of endless hilarity with me and my peers when I was a kid.

Totally juvenile humour, but still worth a giggle.  ;)
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Echnaton on March 11, 2015, 07:47:20 AM

As a Brit, I find that last one particularly amusing. Though, to be honest, the Wankel Rotary Engine was a source of endless hilarity with me and my peers when I was a kid.

The simple pleasures of youth.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: gillianren on March 11, 2015, 12:36:08 PM
And I mean, doesn't literally everyone have stories of having met someone with an unusual punning name?  Yet if something important involves one of them, clearly, that's proof of a hoax of some kind.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Echnaton on March 11, 2015, 01:28:21 PM
And I mean, doesn't literally everyone have stories of having met someone with an unusual punning name?  Yet if something important involves one of them, clearly, that's proof of a hoax of some kind.
Absolutely
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Luke Pemberton on March 11, 2015, 06:15:03 PM
Many a spare moment was whiled away by searching our company directory of 100,000 employees for the weird and wonderful.

We had a Richard Head. I kid you not.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: smartcooky on March 11, 2015, 07:16:04 PM
Many a spare moment was whiled away by searching our company directory of 100,000 employees for the weird and wonderful.

We had a Richard Head. I kid you not.

When I was at Pilot Training School, we used to have a get together every few months, pilot instructors, tech staff, admin staff along with wives & girlfriends. We had a particular pilot whose name was John Dick, and on one occasion, he brought his pregnant wife along to one of these shindigs. Eventually, as it happens, the subject of baby names came up. When John's wife said that if it was a boy, she wanted to call him "Shaun", we techs felt duty bound to gently inform her that this was not a good choice...
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Sus_pilot on March 11, 2015, 11:59:58 PM
Ok, I'm missing something.  If it's obscene or vulgar, you can PM me.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Echnaton on March 12, 2015, 10:30:11 AM
One of the grand dames of Houston was named Ima Hogg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ima_Hogg).  She eschewed her last name and was known to everyone from the housekeeper, to the mayor, to the Governor and various Presidential cabinet members as Miss Ima.  She made several important contributions to Houston, particularly to parks,  and was alive when I was a kid.  So we used to have juvenile fun with her name.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: smartcooky on March 12, 2015, 02:21:41 PM
Ok, I'm missing something.  If it's obscene or vulgar, you can PM me.

Shaun Dick the famous Brazilian? (shaun is pronounced the same way as "shorn")
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Philthy on March 12, 2015, 10:25:20 PM
When I was in High School, there I knew a guy whose name was Richard Balhs. One teacher, always called him Dick. Richard had an uncle named Harold. Presently I know a Brad Assman, it's pronounced "Auusman," or so they say.

Phil
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: gillianren on March 13, 2015, 11:49:03 AM
Shaun Dick the famous Brazilian? (shaun is pronounced the same way as "shorn")

Depending on your accent.  I didn't get it, either, because it's pronounced more like "shawn" here.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: ka9q on March 13, 2015, 08:49:56 PM
Oh, I thought maybe you were talking about Dick Shawn, the late American comedian and actor who played Lorenzo St. DuBois and Adolf Hitler in Mel Brooks' The Producers.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: ka9q on March 13, 2015, 08:58:03 PM
One of the grand dames of Houston was named Ima Hogg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ima_Hogg).
I know I've heard that name, even though I'm not from Houston. Are you sure Bart Simpson didn't use it in one of his prank calls to Moe's Tavern?

I do recall one of his calls backfiring. He asked for a Hugh Jass, and there actually was one in the bar.
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Luke Pemberton on March 14, 2015, 06:06:47 PM
I do recall one of his calls backfiring. He asked for a Hugh Jass, and there actually was one in the bar.

http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Hugh_Jass

My favourite was Amanda Lovingkiss
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Tanalia on March 16, 2015, 08:51:20 PM
My favourite was Amanda Lovingkiss

Amanda Hugginkiss (Wiki: Episode New Kid on the Block (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/List_of_Simpsons_Prank_Calls#.22New_Kid_on_the_Block.22_.5B9F06.5D))

Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Luke Pemberton on March 17, 2015, 03:00:27 AM
Amanda Hugginkiss (Wiki: Episode New Kid on the Block (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/List_of_Simpsons_Prank_Calls#.22New_Kid_on_the_Block.22_.5B9F06.5D))

Clearly such a favourite that I remember it well.  ;)
Title: Re: You Want to Talk Grasping at Straws?
Post by: Dalhousie on March 17, 2015, 05:08:21 AM
Shaun Dick the famous Brazilian? (shaun is pronounced the same way as "shorn")

Depending on your accent.  I didn't get it, either, because it's pronounced more like "shawn" here.

Still don't get it.  Perhaps just as well....