Before you do anything else, watch the video above. See how a new polar research vessel is being designed to cut through ice, travel silently, and contain multiple science labs onboard.
Now, understand that the National Environment Research Council of Great Britain decided it would be a good idea to ask the public for naming suggestions for the boat (though they haven’t officially committed to using the winning suggestion). In the United States, this would undoubtedly result in a vessel named either “Howard Stern’s Penis” or “the U.S.S. Truthiness.”
The English, however, are far more sophisticated than us, and as such, have come up with the elegant, refined moniker that is…
“Boaty McBoatface.”
Our current top 4 #NameOurShip suggestions. Have you voted yet? https://t.co/Vv5Or05r9l pic.twitter.com/Uf4u1XyHYf
— Natural Environment Research Council (@NERCscience) March 18, 2016
Yep, that’s the actual leading name in the polls. Other popular suggestions include “NottheTitanic,” “What Iceberg?”, “Bowie,” and “Big Metal Floaty Thingy-Thing.” This has all forced the NERC to clarify that “An NERC panel will name the boat, taking public suggestions and the importance of the ship’s scientific role into consideration.”
Look, NERC, if you’re going to be that pedantic, I think we would all accept the compromise of “Important Scientific Boaty McBoatface.” If you can get the page to load properly, there is still time to cast your vote HERE. If you’re a Halo fan, then maybe you’d like to cast your vote for “Pillar of Autumn.” Politely, we’d ask that you try to be more creative than the nerd standby of “Enterprise,” and the jock standby of “Your Mom.” But hey, it’s your vote.
What would you name a new science boat headed to the arctic? Should NERC accept the will of the people? If they won’t hear your voice, we will, so make your choices known in comments below.
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HT:Â CNET
Image:Â National Environment Research Council
