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Can I be Napoleon Hill, Zig Ziglar, John Taylor or Paul Myers?

by Nahm D. Plume
25 replies
Some things just ain't right!

Earlier today I was perusing a thread when I came across a reply from a member using the name of a famous author as his/her "User Name".

Since the author passed away in 1996 it's not too probable it is actually that person posting in the thread.

As a reader/owner of several of the author's books I immediately noticed a difference in writing style as used by the poster and the late author. Maybe death causes that?

Obviously I have nothing against using a name --in some situations-- other than one's own for forum posts. I have no reason to think the person using the name is doing so for any reason other than admiration of the late author's works.

Quite possibly he thinks it will garner him, or her, a bit of additional attention. Quite a few people looked at his/her profile. One even posted a reference to the real person's Wikipedia page--with a question mark appended.

In any event I, Nahm D. Plume, think it is a rather tacky way to gain attention.

What do you think?

Sincerely,

Nahm D. Plume*
Napoleon Hill*
Zig Ziglar*
John Taylor*
Paul Myers*

*Choose one name only.
#hill #john #myers #napoleon #paul #taylor #zig #ziglar
  • Profile picture of the author Ross Dalangin
    I 100% like Napoleon Hill but I will choose Zig Ziglar because he's great on marketing. If my name was there I will choose mine..just kidding

    Ross
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    • Profile picture of the author darktemplar
      I see what someone would be going for but I would say definitely not. I mean, that's just my opinion. Anyone definitely could use one of those names. But technically they could also steal my name to use.

      Your friend,

      The Dalai Lama
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      • Profile picture of the author Nahm D. Plume
        On the outside chance the name of the famous dead author is also the "real" name of the WF member using it I performed a bit of basic research.

        Using U.S. Census Bureau statistics for frequency of name usage in the US I checked for both the author's given name, his nickname, which he wrote under (a diminutive of his given name) and his surname.

        In the US his surname, while listed, is shared by less than .001% of the population; his given name by less that .003% of the population and his nickname does not appear on the list.

        While this is not conclusive it does appear unlikely the member is using his (assuming since it's a male name, he's a he) own name.

        I'm always willing to give benefit of doubt.

        NDP
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  • Profile picture of the author summer07
    Originally Posted by Nahm D. Plume View Post

    ...As a reader/owner of several of the author's books I immediately noticed a difference in writing style as used by the poster and the late author. Maybe death causes that?....
    I suspect that death would significantly alter my writing style...but I can't speak for anyone else!

    But to answer your question of whether or not using a dead author's name is a tacky way to gain attention...I've seen tackier...and it depends on the market. Lot's of Elvis fans have paid big bucks for decades to watch his impersonators, so they probably wouldn't mind at all. (I know, I know...Elvis was not an author... but I'm jus' sayin'....)

    Fondly,
    Marilyn Monroe
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  • Profile picture of the author Nahm D. Plume
    Dear Marilyn,

    It appears you write better after demise than before. Unless your post is an "as-told-to-summer07" piece?

    NDP
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    • Profile picture of the author summer07
      Dear NDP (or may I call you Nahm?),

      No "as-told-to"....I'm channeling through summer07...and thanks for noticing the improvement. Of course, I've always loved good writers, and now I'm surrounded by thousands of the best writers that ever lived. Some of it must be rubbing off on me!

      MM
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Edwards
    How about Allen Says?

    Will
    PS - Just kidding.
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    • Profile picture of the author Nahm D. Plume
      MM,

      You may address me as Nahm.

      Will,

      Allen Says certainly deserves to be listed among the august company, excluding myself, listed in the OP.

      Paul Myers and John Taylor were listed as each is among the best and brightest WF offers.

      While I'm certainly younger and much better looking than Messrs. Taylor and Myers they are thoughtful, thought-provoking, skilled writers deserving of extreme high regard.

      Many other Warriors are equally deserving.

      I learn from them daily.

      NDP
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      • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
        I don't get real suspicious when I see someone else named Paul Myers. It's a VERY common name. There are 7 of us in Erie, PA alone. John Taylor is a slightly less common name, but not that unusual.

        Napoleon Hill and Zig Ziglar ... not so much.


        Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author John Taylor
          Paul,

          Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

          John Taylor is a slightly less common name, but not that unusual.
          In the UK John Taylor is a more common name than John Smith.

          "It's not unusual" is normally attributed to the name Tom Jones.

          John
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        • Profile picture of the author discrat
          Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

          I don't get real suspicious when I see someone else named Paul Myers. It's a VERY common name. There are 7 of us in Erie, PA alone. John Taylor is a slightly less common name, but not that unusual.

          Napoleon Hill and Zig Ziglar ... not so much.


          Paul

          Interesting.........but I would think overall John Taylor would be much more of a poplar used name than Paul Myers. Probably right up there behind John Smith !
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Giannetti
    hmmm one Paul Myers is enough ,perhaps too much!

    just kidding buddy!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jack Bastide
      As far as I Know I am the ONLY Jack Bastide
      in the world ...

      Lucky World!

      Jack
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  • Profile picture of the author Bev Clement
    Do you wear a kilt and do you drink whisky or whiskey. Answer this incorrectly, and you can't be John Taylor
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    • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
      Is it ok if I use a name from one of my past lives?

      Let me know and I'll revert back to being Leonardo Da Vinci.

      Then I can claim patent infringement on the internet, the computer, the keyboard, dos, windows and peanut butter. All of which I invented a long time ago :p.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Brite
    A quick facebook friend search for the name will give you a better indicator of how popular the name is, heck who doesn't use facebook anyway?

    Lewis Turner aka James Bond
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    • Profile picture of the author Kirk Ward
      Originally Posted by Tom Brite View Post

      A quick facebook friend search for the name will give you a better indicator of how popular the name is, heck who doesn't use facebook anyway?

      Lewis Turner aka James Bond
      I don't use Facebook, so I doubt you would find me among the (minimum of four) known users of Lycurgus Barnhill Ward

      And, that name is why you don't see me using it on Facebook.

      And, I used to think my nicknmae Kirk Ward was rare, but I see that Google says at leat 65,700 websites feature someone by that name.

      Ah, when will it ever end?

      KW
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  • Profile picture of the author Aljiro
    I personally do not like the idea of using another person's name(popular person?) to get attention. Well except maybe if you were named exactly like that person then i guess its ok

    Good thing Aljiro is a very uncommon name
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    • Profile picture of the author Nahm D. Plume
      Aljiro,

      Yes, if, and it's a rather big if, two persons have the same name and are professionally involved in the same activity then there is no problem. Except for those trying to figure out who's who and what's what.

      Paul,

      How many of the Eire, PA Paul Myerses are writers/marketers and members of WF?

      John,

      Even "Tom Jones" (birth name, Thomas Jones Woodward) has nine name-sharers in various lines of endevour from sports to astronautics. "John Taylor" among other things is a PA lawmaker and the co-founder of Duran Duran. It seems only one John Taylor enjoys WF membership.

      Bev,

      I wear slacks/pants/trousers/jeans/chinos/twills/khakis for lower body apparel. I am neither Scots, Welsh or Irish by ancestry or nationality. I, mostly, don't drink. On such occasions I do, it's either beer or scotch.

      The only point I'm attempting to make in this thread is since WF members may choose their user names it behooves them to, if not using their own name, choose one not closely associated with another person. Particularly if that person lived/lives in the current era.

      NDP
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  • Profile picture of the author A. Green
    I tend to agree that if the person passed away within the last 20 years or so, it does seem rather tacky to use their name. Someone reading could have actually known that person. It could be hurtful to them to see that.

    I've seen a lot of people use names like Shakespeare or Voltaire or something and don't think there's anything wrong with that. Those people are quite dead and no one alive today knew them personally.

    Obviously if the person is still alive and your name is not the same as theirs, then it's just plain old impersonation. Even if your name is the same, you could at least use a middle initial (or make one up if you don't have one). Or better yet, come up with a more brandable name or pen name and be yourself instead of wasting energy trying to be someone you're not.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mukul Verma
    If someone using that as there marketing tactic, I think most people here would realize that is all it is OR there real name, no biggie!!!

    I have seen people with my name, Mukul Verma

    Mukul Verma - Clown School
    Mukul Verma - University Professor
    Mukul Verma - on Interp@l Most Wanted List
    and there are more.....

    That is why I had issues at US Customs!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author JazzOscar
      I think we also have, or at least had, a very unpopular african president, who's still in office, as a member here.
      Signature

      Oscar Toft

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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I don't see any problem with it. What does it hurt?

    Cheers
    Catwoman
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Strong
    Originally Posted by Nahm D. Plume View Post

    What do you think?

    Sincerely,

    Nahm D. Plume*
    Napoleon Hill*
    Zig Ziglar*
    John Taylor*
    Paul Myers*

    *Choose one name only.
    Call yourself anything you want as far as I'm concerned. Think of the most unlikely name you can...

    Heck, you can even call yourself Elmer Hurlstone if you want! (Although that would really be stretching it... we should keep it in the realm of believability.)
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  • Profile picture of the author TelegramSam
    Back in the days when I was a porn star, my name was "Ivor Bigun".
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