Another 'name my' post

[EricWard]

I've really been impressed with some of the responses on Glen's request for an antique alternative and Fishii's request for a monster name, so here I am with a naming help request of my own.

In my WIP, it is 40 some odd years in the future and all the hip kids are getting a kick out of social networking wired straight into their brains (some even to the point where overclocked units are sold in the equivalent of drug dens). The point is that they're essentially getting high off of the involuntary sharing of information (this is uncovered about halfway through). They are written as little units, slightly smaller than a matchbox, attached to the outside corner of the eye (a lack of bone behind the eyes means it can go straight to the frontal lobe).

Right now, I'm calling them "networking units" but I hate the name and I can't come up with anything better. As a somewhat crucial plot point, I really need something snappy and more slang-like for the sake of realism. Suggestions?

 

[J-Sun]

Eye-spys? PCPeep?

 

[Grinnel]

Readers; Feeders; BT's (for Brain-Ticklers); Mindhypes; Pacers; Snapsters (Short for Synapse Toasters); Reelers (send you mind reeling); Boosters.

Note: Check the Tecwars series by Will Shatner (he has a series based on the same type of device simply called 'Tec')

 

[EricWard]

PCPeep?

The extra 'p' is for 'pun.'

Hmm, I'm liking a few of Grinnel's so far.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I don't recall a particular name for the units, but Spider Robinson called a very similar process "wireheading", if that's any help. Or non-help, as the case may be.

The first of that series was Mindkiller, if you haven't read it.

 

[kshRox]

A wetNet Processor or wetNet for short. An cybernetic hardware device (organic / nano technology hybrid)

You could come up with all sorts of technical naming conventions extrapolated from current processors - how about the Intel nanTech v4.01 which is the latest from Intels line of nano based Processor technology utililzing a hybrid hardware/organic interface. Some call it a wetNet but most just say your either wired or not.

It's the hackers though that scare me.
You pick up a virus from some hacker testing your personal wireless organic firewall or your perSec for short; anyway a trojan gets through and infects your nanites then your brain-fried before you realize whats happened.

Or someone gets a hack on your long term memory that burns your organic storage and your basically a loboTek (lobotomized by bad technology)

Very cool idea Eric.

 

[Abernovo]

To cast off, for example skin or hair, is 'to shed'. Could you use the term for the involuntary info-flashing?

So, a person could be shedding, they could suffer, or be high, from a shed. It could lead to 'shed-heads' and a terminally closed-off case of a person being 'completely shedded'. Or the government slogan of: 'if you shed your brain gets shredded'. Just ideas.

 

[chrispenycate]

I don't recall a particular name for the units, but Spider Robinson called a very similar process "wireheading", if that's any help. Or non-help, as the case may be.

The first of that series was Mindkiller, if you haven't read it.

Yeah, but wireheads just had a socket, and plugged in ann external current. And it only stimulated the pleasure centre, much like a Niven "tasp" (or was that the remote control version?).

Actually, I dislike the idea of an externally mounted box permanently in place (although I can see the narrative advantages to it being conspicuous); too vulnerable to external trauma, and since it's wired directly into the brain a short circuit or malfunction is definitely something to avoid. If you're going to open up the skull anyway, to get to the brain (Aaarg, brain surgery in the equivalent of a tattoo parlour. I hope they've got robot operating machines) couldn't you sort of embed the box into the bone? Then you could inductively recharge the batteries so you didn't need to open it up all the time, and use the same inductive loop technology to install software upgrades, and… sorry, your world. I'll leave it alone.

Why were these boxes developed in the first place? (Yes, it matters, for the name). If they're surgically installed it almost has to have been for some medical purpose, with the entertainment coming later. Detecting buildup of psychopathic rage, and calming it, perhaps? Then the initials of the process would be built into the street name for the thing.

 

[prizzley]

How about i-eye

 

[EricWard]

Why were these boxes developed in the first place? (Yes, it matters, for the name). If they're surgically installed it almost has to have been for some medical purpose, with the entertainment coming later. Detecting buildup of psychopathic rage, and calming it, perhaps? Then the initials of the process would be built into the street name for the thing.

That's actually a really good question. I don't think I even answer that. In my mind it's just the extreme logical conclusion for facebook and twitter ("the ultimate hands free!"). The way I have it, they self-install by anchoring right into that bit of bone on the outer ridge of the eye, just at the temple ("plug and play").

How about i-eye

I won't lie, I was thinking about using apple naming convention at first.

So, a person could be shedding, they could suffer, or be high, from a shed. It could lead to 'shed-heads' and a terminally closed-off case of a person being 'completely shedded'. Or the government slogan of: 'if you shed your brain gets shredded'. Just ideas.

A wetNet Processor or wetNet for short. An cybernetic hardware device (organic / nano technology hybrid)

Man, I really like those two.

I don't recall a particular name for the units, but Spider Robinson called a very similar process "wireheading", if that's any help. Or non-help, as the case may be.

I got you loud and clear, you want me to call it "the SpiderRobinson"

Note: Check the Tecwars series by Will Shatner (he has a series based on the same type of device simply called 'Tec')

Or "The Shatner." As in, "Oh man, I got totally shatfaced last night."

 

[Colbey Frost]

I like Grinnel's suggestion of "feeders". That word has a negative spin already with people who feed people to get their spouse fat and I think it can be sexual. So, with your device it is a negative thing with drug dens, abuse of the device, so the negative will transfer.

Also, if they are using the device, they will be getting lots of information, getting fat off that if you know what I mean, or it could be that they get fat from not moving, always on their "computer" those are just some ways to link.

It could have a normal "tech" name, and also a slang name. Like your drug; police call it one thing and the crims call it something else.

 

[Dante DiBenedetto]

Hmmm, well, I guess it depends on whether or not you want a cool sounding name, or a name that is actually likely to be used. Often, things get labeled by marketing teams, or journalists, and then often bastardized by the youth.


Likely suspects:

Link-ups

Jacks - Sorta of word play. Jacking into the social networks, and getting jacked off the high

Feeders - Thought about this before even seeing Grinnel and CN's response. Consensus isn't a band thing

iCandy - *shrug* That's probably what Apple would end up calling it

 

[EricWard]

Feeders - Thought about this before even seeing Grinnel and CN's response. Consensus isn't a band thing

I like Grinnel's suggestion of "feeders". That word has a negative spin already with people who feed people to get their spouse fat and I think it can be sexual. So, with your device it is a negative thing with drug dens, abuse of the device, so the negative will transfer.

With the line "Glutted on information and stimulation" already in one of the scenes about these things, I'm leaning pretty heavily to "feeders" for the street name now.

Thanks everybody!

 

[Bowler1]

Linkers, and users link up and/or linkng.

Another...

Because it's eyes, peepers, peeping when getting high...totaly peeped.
I was peeped last night...
Scoping a score (eyes again).
I jacked in and used the periscope - getting high.
Went for a ride in the yellow submarine - stoned.
Resting on the bottom / recharging the batteries - both coming down.
Last one - The navy depth charged me - busted by the boys in blue.

 

[Phyrebrat]

I like feeder, too. It has a nice layer of meanings.

I was going to suggest something like OcBox or OcBus - using ocular as a starting place.

pH

 

[nubins]

A few words that come to my mind are purely based around what they may be called "on the street" the technical mane coud be anything..

Plugs, Contacts, Retinals, Rifts, Ports, hubs etc.

Something with the name ocular .. ocular or oculus .. sounds kinda futuristic and technical without sound too technical that people wouldnt use it. Could take a technical name and shorten it.. Ocular Device becomes OD. Neuro Ocular Device.. NOD. etc.