I've been thinking...

I have been letting this issue slip for quite some time, but today I reached my breaking point. What is with the R.I.P. messages as MSN display names?

I don't know when ridiculous MSN display names started, and I'm not even going to attempt to battle that issue; I'm sure we've all seen our share of preposterous display names, but death sentiments, really?

At first I had a little sympathy for them. I thought maybe it was some deranged way for people to deal with the loss of loved ones, but the more I thought about it, the less sense it made. It isn't being used as notification because it presents no information, and we already have obituaries for that. They usually stay posted entirely too long and becomes a depressing reminder of a tragic loss. It does not embrace any positive points of life, nor does it transmit any relevant feelings about the death.

I’ve always contended that MSN display names are ludicrous for the most part. I don’t care how much fun you had at a party last week, or how you view the weather outside; a display name is not the place for that information. Especially since, you already know what you are about to write as your display name, so who are you trying to convey that message to? The most absurd MSN display name I have ever read, and it happens far too frequently, is the ever redundant “lv1”. For those of you who don’t see the redundant nature of this display name, allow me to explain. MSN messenger is a program designed to send instant messages from one person to the next. If a person sees your “lv1” message, then obviously you are on that persons contact list. If you are on that persons contact list, then evidently the idea of messaging you via MSN has entered their mind at some point. Reminding them to “leave one” is the most outrageous exercise in stating the obvious I have seen in recent years. Not to mention the apparent lack of English skills. Not everything needs an acronym or abbreviation. Perhaps if you spent more times spelling things out completely, I wouldn’t have to correct so many typos you guys message me with.

Anyway, where were we? Oh right, R.I.P...  Anytime something is written, the author should consider who his/her target audience is, and who it is they expect to read their writing. When you write a clever joke, or an inspirational quote, I commend you. Not only because you are doing a selfless act by allowing others to share a smile with you when they read your display name, but also because you are expanding your mind. However, when you right R.I.P., are you literally telling someone’s soul to rest? If so, then why use MSN as your medium? Do you actually believe the lost spirits are still signing in to MSN to see if anyone is wishing them a peaceful rest?

Now, even worse still; and the straw the broke this camel’s back. (I am pointing at myself) Wishing internet-based R.I.P.’s to dead celebrities. Are you fucking kidding me? Face it; you have no celebrities on your contact list, no one you know, knows Heath Ledger, and the people that know Heath Ledger, couldn’t give a rat’s ass what you think about his eternal rest. The real reason why you put that as your display name was to convince your friends that you are “with it” in terms of what’s happening in media and popular culture. Even in the face of death you are all still mindless puppets controlled by allure of Hollywood know-how.

Now I know some of you delicate flowers out there are going to take offense to this opinion, but that’s ok. Not all of you are in the wrong; some of you often provoke my creativity with witty quips, and thoughtful words of encouragement. Those of you are setting a strong example to the R.I.P. users out there. Although it may seem like a losing battle, don’t give up. With perseverance and a little luck, the misuse of the MSN display name will one day end, and hopefully it will rest in peace.

-Gerald A. Dinkel (He just says things.)

http://sardonicconnection.blogspot.com/2008/01/24-rip-display-names.html