Learning lessons from Boaty McBoatface
Dr Mumbo was astonished to see the good folk in charge of Sydney Ferries had opened up the naming of six new ferries to the public. Had they learned nothing from the Boaty McBoatface debacle?
Well apparently, and somewhat astonishingly, they have.
Instead of allowing people to put forward a name and have people vote from that list, as the UK body behind Boaty McBoatface did, the Sydney authorities are allowing people to suggest names, which will be whittled down by an ‘honorary panel’ to whittle down the list before it goes out to public vote.
And names are also meant to be drawn from one of three categories: Arts and Culture; Science, Environment and Innovation; and Sydney Harbour Connections.
Looking at the serious looking bods on that honorary panel it seems unlikely they are going to put forward Ferry McFerryface as the name of a vessel which could be doing the rounds on the world’s busiest waterway for up to 40 years.
Maybe marketers are starting to realise that while they love user generated content, maybe the public shouldn’t be trusted with their brands completely unfiltered.
Yes the plan for this naming, will see a different outcome to the UK debacle
Boaty McBoatface was only a “debacle” if your world view is that only inner city elites can decide what’s best for the “unwashed masses”.
I would suggest that this patronising attitude is the real debacle, as it is grossly undemocratic. This pervading attitude of elitist condescension, of cultural ‘authority’ and social engineering conducted from inner city mansions, was the cause of Brexit, the cause of a million Australian votes going away from the two major parties, and the cause of Trump’s now inevitable rise to the Presidency.
The panel deciding this, will decide based on protecting their own personal brands, not on the basis of what the public wants. Day by day, it’s looking more like Paris in early 1789…
‘it’s looking more like Paris in early 1789’
That’s a stretch.
I think it’s a good idea to cull the names down to a few. I hope they have a sense of humour though and include some fun ones. My money is on Shipfaced or Manly Fairy 🙂
My vote goes to ‘Brian Ferry’.
Or if it’s an express, ‘Ferry Porsche’
Ferry Nice or Ferry Nuff?
Ahhh, the joys of popularity voting. Where the person with the most friends wins, not the quality of the entry. I’ve been burned by workplaces using these enough times to know not to enter them.
Going with Boaty McBoatface could have been such an opportunity to engage the public long term. I mean, who wouldn’t want to look up where Boaty McBoatface was in the world and his latest research adventures? There could have been an online portal to hear all about his research projects, children’s books, etc.
Why do boats get names? Buses don’t. Or taxis. I say number them 1 to 6 and stop all this nonsense.