<em> Whistles as he makes his way to any old street corner.  He thought it would be difficult to find an empty streetcorner, but here in New Orleans, there seemed to be plenty.  So, he found the nearest one, and stepped on a couple of bodies that were left over.  His own makeshift soap box. </em>

Good evening folks.  I wanted to come our here and reintroduce to you a concept that many of us have forgotten.  And no, I'm not excluding myself in the discussion.  The concept is called creativity. 

Now creativity is defined as: the mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts.  Simply put: the act of making something new.  Even simpler: Originality.

With all the "re" introductions around here, I was starting to get a little concerned about our creativity, or lack thereof.  So I became interested in why people tend to reintroduce things over and over again.  I'm curious to know what people are thinking about when they are re-creating instead of creating and re-inventing instead of inventing.  It's hard for me to believe that it's because we simply have no creativity left.  I've seen some interesting speeches given on these streets, many of them very creative.  So, when it comes to naming yourself or your family - where has all that creativity gone?

I'd like to say welcome back to Retribution.  And nice to see you again TSCOSP.  Recreated families of yesteryear.  Back again for another run.  And it's not reserved only for family names.  Look at all the individual names you have seen over and over and over again.  Personally, I can't wait to be Return_of_WillHayes.  Though maybe I'll go with -WillHayes-, or Will_Hayes, or XxWillHayesxX, or my favorite WilliHayes.  What do you think? 

So, if it's not a creativity issue, what is it?  Are we afraid we'll be forgotten if our sons and daughters don't come back as some re-created version of ourselves?  Do we crave that attention so much that we can't fathom naming our children anything but some chopped up or rehashed version of our name?  Or are we just too stoned to think of any other name?  <em> looks to Marley momentarily. </em>  Do we just lack originality? 

There have to be reasons why re recreate these families and these names.  So, what are they?  As for everybody else - what is your opinion about naming your children's children the same name as you? 

And for the record - I can't wait to see ForkHayes.  Though, I think I might prefer SporkHayes. 

While I think you have a valid point here, I think you're being a little ridiculous in using "Retribution" as an example.  Considering the family only died less than a week ago, and PedroRourke was the Right Hand of the original family, he merely chose to use the original family name as part of his new family, as sort of a way to honor his Boss who had just fallen days ago.  If people that's out of line then we are just a hypersensitive crowd.

Other than that, feel free to complain about lack of originality and creativity!

Ahem, of course I meant "If people <em>think</em> that's out of line".  I'm stuttering all over the place.

<em>...then we are just a hypersensitive crowd.</em>

And of course we know that this is not true.

Walks out to the crowd and stares around...

From this day forth, we shall use a new way of thinking, anyone who is not 100% original shall be shot on sight, and if they are original, they're still shot on sight... just because it's fun to say "Shot on sight."...

and with that he hops off... in to the distance. Never to be seen again.

Sigh.  I wasn't calling any particular crew name inappropriate.  I was just curious to know why we continue to use the same family names and or sir names for our children and our children's families.  Clearly this discussion is going to go in a completely different direction.   I do not hold myself above the rest of the community.  I do it too.  I know why I do it.  I was curious to know why others do it. 

Is this crowd hypersensitive?  Absolutely can be.  But aren't we being a little hypersensitive at a little fun being poked at some names? 

Again, I wasn't complaining as much as I was poking fun.  Albeit, some may see it the same.  I apologize to all family heads, and high rankers in the community if they found the speech to be out of line. 

I understand that you weren't complaining, and perhaps I merely saw red when I saw Retribution being used as an example.  It was a leader of mine that died behind the name that crew symbolizes.  So I apologize for being hyper sensitive in this case.

As far as people reusing names for their entire bloodline, I'm right there with you on that side of the fence.  It's utterly, well, retarded for the lack of a better word.  I hope my next of kin will be named MariettaTheSecond.

Well Will I know people may introduce things back again once in awhile, such as Marley has done, the name TSCOSP hasnt been used in over six years. I'm sure if he really would have wanted he could have come up with something orginal had he chosen to do so...

It's not always about being original, its about believing in something you think is right. Creating something new, for example the name of a crew is easy as pie, i really think this debate you have brought up, is just one you have done, because you really can't think of anything else to say.

A little bit of hypocricy. I apologise if i was wrong in saying so, it just seems that way to me.

RonMexico (me, that is. When you're RonMexico you can do that, referring to yourself in the third person. By which I mean saying "RonMexico" in place of "I". Because I'm RonMexico), for the record is not, as you may suspect if you're not very good at suspecting the truth, some distantly descended relative of a RonMexico long passed (also me, RonMexico).

Now, I know this may be confusing, but try to follow along. RonMexico (hi) wasn't really so much dead to begin with. Sure, everybody and their mothers, and sometimes even their fathers and distant aunts even, heard that some dick-nosed idiot took a potshot at him. But really, the idea of a cheap goon like that putting down such an exquisite figure such as myself is pretty ridiculous. An obvious cover story.

And if you don't like that explanation, I've got more.

I've heard many sides to this debate and am still not quite decided on which is right and which others are wrong. There are many who use names or ideas best associated with those who are no longer with us. I believe there are many reasons for this, some noble, some selfish and yet some that are more of a detriment to the individual than anything else.

Noble reasons can include to honour a since passed friend or family member, to continue a tradition that means a lot to the individual or a group of people or to clear a name that has tarnished. Taking on your mother or father's last name can be a sign of pride of who they were. Some people function best when they are able to find the friends they used to play with in the parks back home. Using a familiar name can just be a way to reconnect with those who have landed on the shores by a boat different than your own.

Selfish reasons are usually witnessed when one believes they deserve certain treatment because of the achievements of their ancestors. As we enter this land from the old country we are all given the opportunity to write any name we want on the registeration papers. Those who believe they are entitled to compensation because of their parent's can be using the family name for their own gains do also carry names forward.

Then there are those who use their family names when they really probably shouldn't. People whose parents heartache and shame to their crews or friends beyond forgiveness. These are the people who are probably not gaining a thing or showing much tact in continuing the family name. But then again, they are possibly willing to work harder than the average person, proving to this world that they are not their parents whilst having their name on their papers.

As for crew names being taken from past leaders. Personally I have no issue with this. Sometimes a crew comes along that fits so well with an individual that the honour of them to be able to continue that tradition is more than anything else that could have been given to them.

Deimne decides to breath now and realizes she's rambled quite a bit. She checks her hair in her pocket mirror and continues on her way.

Puffs his joint because he is indeed stoned as Will stated.

Well it's like this Will. Everyone in my family has the same name because it was their fathers, fathers, fathers names. You feel me?

Kinda like a birth certificate. It would have your name and your fathers last name. All my kin have different first names and I think that gives each one originality.

My line is a father, son line. Each son carries his father last name. Just something I do. Never the same though.

puffs his joint and exhales while smoking

As for family names, mine has never been used before, just the TSCOSP part, but we're Jamaican.

Does a little dance

JM_M is that way your fathers name was Miss.Floyd ? I m struggling to find the "Floyd" being the same name as "Marley" concept. I guess it is the same way of thinking that re-introducing a family name like TSCOSP and using different words is the same. You are a little short on the brainside of the sandwhich aren't you ?

You should have called your Family, We of the Yellow Bus. It would have been more symbolic for you.

Whilst I can understand why people use the same names throughout bloodlines, I am not a fan of it. Throughout my bloodline, I think I'm safe in saying that never have any father/son been blessed with the same name. I just do not see the point myself.

I suppose people do it for a few reasons; firstly to make themselves known to other bloodlines at first glance, secondly to "piggy back" on previous reputation - often a self-inflated view of that reputation to be honest - or just because they think it's cool.

I don't really mind it when it's a continuation of a family name, taking Marietta's comments about Retribution for example, that's fine. My bloodline has done this when he was RHM and took over. Nothing wrong there.

In terms of individual names though, I believe that coffee shop personas are so intertwined in our thing, that it's just completely unnecessary. I go into the coffee shops about once every couple of months at best nowadays, yet the people that matter to me still know my bloodline, regardless of the bloodline's name in cosa nostra. The idea of my bloodline using the same name over and over is, to me, boring but each to their own.

Whilst often people use their best known name to curry favour or to rely on their past achievements, it is not the only reason for doing so. I, being one of those at the moment who're hardly being original in name, did not think "I'll get lots of things really easily if I use the name Tallien." In fact, my reasons for using this name had nothing to do with that at all.

I think people are being incredibly naive if they believe a famous bloodline being called SteveThePlasterer, or MichaelGregorio, is going to make any difference whatsoever to how they are treated within our world. The moment you're exposed as being from a certain lineage you receive both the advantages and disadvantages associated with them. It is inevitable due to the intertwining of IRC and here.

This is why friends of mine achieved much on names as ridiculous as; a1capon3, j0ngott1, PrinceOfCheese, Numbers4Glory, KingOfWheelbarrows, Briana_Arao and so on. Indeed, one of our RHM at the moment is sporting the name "Butt_Ox". Whilst I doubt the talent of none of those I've mentioned, part of their success is due to their ability, but that alone would not have accelerated them to the dizzy heights occupied. People view them as who they've been as much as who they are now.

It is wonderful to pretend we only judge people on current achievements, but we don't. The moment we need something we look for experience. This is why you'll see Goombas running war rooms and Gangsters being made RHM.

So with all this in mind, I chose not to utilise a different name. Perhaps this is a sign of a lack of creativity, or a more pragmatic approach. My being named Tallien, renders me no more or less able to perform a function in this world than if I was called RourkeyRourke or Rourke, although I would just be a lot gayer.

~T~

That's just it, Tallien. We all know things, mostly, come down to coffee shop personas and reputations, so whether bloodlines choose the same name or a new name is irrelevant. Just depends on whether they fancy being a wee bit creative, or not. For my bloodline, I quite enjoy that aspect. Some don't.

Interesting.  So, maybe what it comes down to is: A name is just a name.  Regardless of what you call yourselves (ourselves), you still have to go out and prove yourself.  Ultimately, I don't think it's a lack of creativity.  I think maybe when choosing a family name, people choose a name to honor something or someone.  That makes the most sense to me. 

And Grassboy - believe me, if I was just "looking for something to say" I think I'd just come out here and rattle off "good point" a thousand times like quite a few others.  So, don't speculate as to why I do or don't do something.  If you want to know, then ask.  You're sure to see me out here quite a bit.  Not because I'm just looking for ANYTHING to say, but because I always have SOMETHING to say, on plenty of topics.  Some meaningful, some not so meaningful. 

Interesting.  So, maybe what it comes down to is: A name is just a name.  Regardless of what you call yourselves (ourselves), you still have to go out and prove yourself.  Ultimately, I don't think it's a lack of creativity.

Yes, a name's pretty much irrelevant in the face of coffee shop reputations, actual hard work and so on. Therefore, given that you could be called anything and not have it detract from your cosa nostra interactions, I think it is a lack of creativity to keep re-using names over bloodlines.

Stands up and begins to speak

Well.. I understand that some people can't think of their own new name for every new character. I however have had in my past done this as Death-Knight then DeathKnight then Death-Knight again. Reason's for myself doing this is because that Death-Knight isn't a name you would call a human. Death-Knight is simply my nick name. My real name however is as Marietta kindly told you all when I was auth'ed into Detroit.

Harold Herbert Rossi.

That is my real name, my nick name Death-Knight. Yes some people keep the same name and just add silly -'s and x's to it so that people can identify their bloodline easier. Other's do it just because they are lazy and can't be bothered to think up a new name. However myself I unless my name sounds like something you would call a human being then my name is only a NickName that people know me as. Just like the mobster I am now.

Well this is definately interesting to myself. I have to say I thought for all of a second what I was going to be called and just went with what I felt like. I'd like to say I'm trying to curry favour with this name but lets be honest, Dante_Balboni was an awful crew leader, he had fuck all members couldn't recruit for shit, the family earnings were crap. only a few of his people were active and in the end he got bumbed off for being an idiot.

So you definately can't blame me for trading of a previous name of glory.I don't really see any harm in reviving an old family name. It actually shows a lot of respect. It isn't trading off former glories, it's an act of rememberance. It shows where we have come from and if it works out good adds a new chapter in that particular book.

However myself I unless my name sounds like something you would call a human being then my name is only a NickName that people know me as.

So, every generation of your bloodline has the same nickname? Whether it's a nickname or not is irrelevant.

It isn't trading off former glories, it's an act of rememberance.

I'm sure we all remember our own bloodline. Bringing up the name again is more like forcing others to remember when, as I said before, most of the time there's not actually very much of note to remember.

Ultimately, it doesn't really matter, it's always been the case and always will. I just can't see future generations of my own bloodline doing it because I see no reason to. Others would say they see no reason not to. No one's wrong, though I am right and you all agree with me...

Boaby pulls his Jedi Mind Trick stunt. Forever the crowd pleaser.