names + Typhon

On Thu, 20 Jun 2002, Dan'l Danehy-Oakes wrote: One other point: Whatever rules may apply to the use of mythological monsters in the Lupiverse, Typhon certainly does not fall under the "saints" naming convention for citizens of the Commonwealth, since he is not one.

--- Dan'l Danehy-Oakes <ddanehy at siebel.com> wrote: Good post, Marc. One other point: Whatever rules may apply to the use of mythological monsters in the Lupiverse, Typhon certainly does not fall under the "saints" naming convention for citizens of the Commonwealth, since he is not one.

On 20/06/2002 18:35:31 maa32 wrote: Mr. Borski has recently made the point that Typhon's name is mythological, implying that he should be of alien stock rather than simply of "other", urthly origin. However, aren't there mythological names, like Talos, that reveal traits rather than place of origin? Talos is a mechanical man, but he is not necessarily extra-terrestrial - indeed, he is from Urth. It does imply that he is "other" - and while I CAN see a slight difference between Baldanders and the mythological names, I don't find the presence of a mythological name as complete evidence that Typhon must be extraterrestrial - rather, it could be an assumed name that shows his difference and superiority to his "normal" subjects (much as Karol Wojtyla would choose the name John Paul II or Bullingbrook would name himself Henry IV - it is common to choose a name of distinction to establish the authority of "otherness", and insinuate that you are of uncommon stock). Just a note - I think we need slightly more than a mythological name to definitely brand someone as Alien, since I don't think all the characters with mythological names are from the outer reaches, especially as evidenced by Dr. Talos.

Jerry Friedman wrote: There seems to be some confusion, by the way, over whether people are using "alien" to mean "not born on Urth though possibly human"