Halo: More Than a Name
Dave Stricoff
Issue date: 3/15/05 Section: Features
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Fashionable indeed are pop culture references. Some, such as "the Dude," "Chuck Norris," and "Bruce Lee," pay homage to iconic figures of our youth, while others, like "Flava Flave," "ODB lives," and "a blue state" are particularly apropos. For the most part, these are the names that will make you think. Tipping his hat to Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous, "I am a Golden God" evokes the memory of one of the most-quoted film scenes of this decade while proclaiming his video-gaming prowess.
Similarly, "a Better Man" presumably is a nod to the Pearl Jam anthem as well as a statement of Halo gospel. While they all might not be deep, screen names based on popular culture show nominal awareness of the world beyond Trinity and in this respect are most representative of the actual student body.
Those who choose not to lampoon or offend seem to draw their names from whatever is handy. Clearly drawing their inspiration from takeout menus, few things are sweeter than watching "Campus Pizza" and "Sgt. Pepperoni" snipe at each other. Surprisingly, "Cranlambic," a derivation of Sam Adam's Cranberry Lambic, is the only reference to beer. While some got their names from labels, "cyanoborohydride" and "diisopropylamine" must have raided the index of a chemistry book. Perhaps the least intriguing are those who simply choose to use their instant messenger screens for Halo. But hey, at least we know who they really are.
Similarly, "a Better Man" presumably is a nod to the Pearl Jam anthem as well as a statement of Halo gospel. While they all might not be deep, screen names based on popular culture show nominal awareness of the world beyond Trinity and in this respect are most representative of the actual student body.
Those who choose not to lampoon or offend seem to draw their names from whatever is handy. Clearly drawing their inspiration from takeout menus, few things are sweeter than watching "Campus Pizza" and "Sgt. Pepperoni" snipe at each other. Surprisingly, "Cranlambic," a derivation of Sam Adam's Cranberry Lambic, is the only reference to beer. While some got their names from labels, "cyanoborohydride" and "diisopropylamine" must have raided the index of a chemistry book. Perhaps the least intriguing are those who simply choose to use their instant messenger screens for Halo. But hey, at least we know who they really are.
