text;

[subroutined]

[ Ash has been thinking a lot lately. Sometimes, it feels like all he does is think. But between his conversations with D33 and Chauncy, he feels like maybe he could use more input. And as this request is very personal, he posts under his own username rather than using the anonymous function. ]

Hi Network.
I'm looking for some advice on names.

The name I use, the only one I've ever been given, belongs to someone else. I used to try to be that person, but now I'm trying to be my own person instead.
And so, I've been thinking about using a different name. The only problem is, I'm not sure how to come up with a new one.

Do you have any advice on how to name yourself?

Comments

[viced]

Ex-superhero. I'm not one anymore.

When I was, I called myself The Great Machine.

[subroutined]

Ah, I see. Because of your power.

I like it.

[viced]

Well, partially.

It's actually based on a quote that my mother liked about the government from Thomas Jefferson. It seemed...fitting. Doubly so, now.

[subroutined]

I see.

[ And then, a quick Google search later... ]

I am sensible how far I should fall short of effecting all the reformation which reason would suggest and experience approve, were I free to do whatever I thought best. but when we reflect how difficult it is to move or inflect the great machine of society, how impossible to advance the notions of a whole people suddenly to ideal right, we see the wisdom of Solen’s remark that no more good must be attempted than the nation can bear.

That's a nice quote. Very fitting, for a politician.

[viced]

[ He laughs. ]

Yes. Of course, at the time, I hadn't even thought about being a politician. My mom taught civics, though.

At that time, I was a jobless guy living in the projects and living off my Worker's Comp.

[subroutined]

Oh, well. That's quite a transformation you've made.

[viced]

You don't know the half of it.

Then again, when you lose half your face at the job, living off your Worker's Comp is about all you can do for a while, you know? Part and parcel. [ A beat. ]

Anyway. Are there any names that are...jumping out to you?

[subroutined]

You seem to have recovered well.

[ In the face department, at least. ]

Yes. I think I've settled on one. Green Newman.

[viced]

That's just plastic surgery.

[ A beat. ]

So, what's the significance? I can get the New Man part, but... Green? Is it, uh, your favorite color?

[subroutined]

I have friends here who are named after colors. One of them suggested I do the same.

[viced]

Ah, I see. Huh -- it's... ironic, but fitting. At least from my standpoint.

Green is -- It's the color I hear machines in.

[subroutined]

Oh, is it? That's fitting, then!

[viced]

Yeah.

It's...surprising. I never know... some machines don't really seem... to scream green, like... as people. The fact that you landed on that is...different.

[subroutined]

A happy coincidence.