faz.net
Pop Culture Dominates Scientific Naming of New Species
An analysis of 18,000 newly described species reveals a disproportionate number named after Star Wars characters (40), Discworld characters (49), and other pop culture figures, compared to literary figures like Shakespeare (17) or Nabokov (25), highlighting popular culture's impact on scientific naming conventions.
- What is the most striking pattern revealed by the analysis of newly discovered species' names, and what does it signify about current cultural trends?
- Around 18,000 new plant and animal species are described annually, necessitating creative naming conventions. A noticeable trend is the disproportionate influence of popular culture, with 40 species named after Star Wars characters and 49 after Discworld characters, exceeding the number inspired by Shakespeare (17) or Nabokov (25).
- How do the numbers of species named after figures from different literary and cultural sources compare, and what does this disparity reveal about the influence of various cultural touchstones?
- The dominance of popular culture in scientific naming reflects broader societal trends. The preference for characters like Darth Vader (14 species) over Yoda (5) in Star Wars-inspired names suggests a fascination with morally ambiguous figures. This pattern extends to literary influences, with Sauron surpassing Gandalf in Tolkien-inspired names.
- Considering the permanence of scientific nomenclature, what potential future implications or challenges are raised by the current trends in species naming, and how might these issues be addressed?
- The established practice of not changing species names, even if the namesake becomes controversial, highlights the permanence of scientific nomenclature. Future trends may involve increased scrutiny of naming conventions, potentially leading to more balanced representation of positive and negative figures in species names. This could involve developing guidelines or community standards.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the prevalence of 'Star Wars' and 'Discworld' characters in species names as problematic, highlighting the dominance of popular culture and the choice of villainous characters like Darth Vader. This framing potentially biases the reader towards a negative view of these naming practices, without fully exploring the reasons behind the choices or the lack of harm caused by these names.
Language Bias
The article uses language that subtly suggests disapproval of certain naming conventions, such as describing the dominance of pop culture influences as 'bedenklich' (worrisome). While the tone is mostly descriptive, the choice of words contributes to a negative framing.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the naming conventions of newly discovered species, particularly those inspired by popular culture figures. While it mentions the existence of 18,000 new species described annually, it doesn't delve into the broader processes or criteria for naming species, potentially omitting relevant context on the scientific community's practices and decision-making. It also doesn't explore alternative naming conventions or potential issues with the current system beyond the examples given.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by suggesting a choice between popular culture and high culture influences in species naming. The reality is likely more nuanced, with various influences and reasons for choosing specific names.