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Originally Posted by Josh
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Originally Posted by dgruss23
I'm a little bothered here that scientifically minded people are willing to characterize these companies without doing the research and having specific evidence to back up their position.
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Characterize, yes. Outright condemn, no. That's what this board is all about-dialogue, discussion, and I hope, the freedom to change one's mind when new evidence is found or arises. |
Condemn - really that is the word I should have used. I think people were condemning these companies as overtly misleading.
With regard to this issue, I did change my mind. I initially reacted to these companies a few years ago as most people here have. But after giving it more thought literally on this thread - I changed my mind.
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Originally Posted by dgruss23
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Originally Posted by Josh
If it is just a novelty, why list stars by "SAO number" (Star Wishing), or include them in the "International Star Registry" in a vault in Switzerland (International Star Registry)? Wouldn't just an alphabetized list be sufficient? Few people would be willing to pay to name a star if they thought the company would fold in ten years. It certainly sounds more impressive, legitimate, and most importantly, permanent if your star has a number, and is "officially registered."
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This is the point that I really think people are missing. These companies have the RIGHT to do this. And if they think that putting it in a vault in Switzerland will make their product more marketable then so what? In all this I don't here anybody acknowledging that maybe some people get something positive out of buying these star names. Is it really that hard to grasp that there is a sentimental thing that goes with purchasing a star name? When they acknowledge it is a novelty they are pointing out that they are offering this to people that are not scientists. |
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Josh wrote: Nowhere did I state that there was no benefit to be gotten from those services. Who has denied the sentimental value? If it makes any difference, I freely admit that people can and do get satisfaction from purchasing a star name.
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Sorry - at that point I was responding in general and not to you specifically. Others have said that. And I do think the sentimental value is denied when some emphasize that they don't think people are getting anything for the $200 or whatever it amounts to. That is the consumers choice.
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But I think you too are missing the point. It's not about science at all, but like so much in business, it's about appearances.
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Exactly. Its a business. I don't understand why we would criticize them for using cute little phrases like "timeless" to try and sell a product. That is what businesses do.
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What am I really buying for $200? Maybe most customers don't care where their star is registered, or whether they can actually see it, as long as they get the goods. It remains a question as to whether they're getting what they expect for their money. Why bother paying $200 for a simple certificate when you can make your own on MS Word or Photo Shop?
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Again I think the idea of it being published in a book and recognized by somebody - even if its only this company - is part of the appeal. Don't forget either that when they buy one of these they will see their name along with celebrities and other famous people. Some people like that kind of stuff and its part of what they are forking over the money for.
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Originally Posted by dgruss23
Why can't there be a "registry" of star names that has nothing to do with SCIENCE? And unless somebody makes a valid claim as to why they shouldn't exist, then ANYBODY that wants to can start one.
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I agree completely, and have nothing against creating an independent list or registry. So why do these companies go to such lengths to make the lists look scientific? As I already mentioned, why wouldn't an alphabetized list alone suffice?
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By doing that doesn't it make people feel that they get more for their money. If they didn't do that wouldn't it be letting down the customers. I also haven't seen a page from their book so I don't know how scientific it actually looks.
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The only thing you didn't comment on from my post was the memorials. I'm still curious to know what you (and anyone else of course) think about those.
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I must have missed that on their website. I've got a busy day ahead so I'll have to get back to you on that one. BTW Josh, I wasn't really upset with anything you said specifically so if my response sounded emotion is was more because of the previous response in which it was implied that I was misleading the people on this board about my conversation with the Star Registry.