What’s in a name?

How important is a name is to who and what a person becomes in life?

There must be something behind all those stereotypes we know and love: “Biff” is usually a thuggish bully, “Melvin” a four-eyed nerd, “Bertha” a large-boned lady, and “Candy” a ditzy blonde. But what is a Ben? Or better yet, what is a Ben Singer?

Googling my name is not something I do most days, other than Monday through Friday and occasionally on Sunday. But I thought I would take a look at what the other Ben Singers of the world have done for themselves. The results are pretty interesting. The Ben Singers are all North American caucasians. They are all male, with the notable exception of one transgendered individual. Their stations in life run the gamut from brain science to college football to polygamy. But there is a definite propensity for academic excellence, writing and pipe bomb making.

Here are my top Ben Singers who are not me.

Ben Singer, Trans-sexual Activist

A Rutgers University PhD candidate (so he’s smart . . .that’s good) who decided he needed to “transition” during grad school. He/she’s become a bit of a trailblazer in the Trans community. Hey, leadership skills! I’m wondering if the pic is pre- or post-transition. But he/she is not a bad looking man/woman!

 

 

 

Ben Singer, Geeky Brain Scientist No. 1

“I work on neuroimaging analysis methods such as inter-subject alignment of functional data, cortical surface-based analysis and visualization, and multiple voxel pattern analysis,” says Singer. Sure you do. I have no idea what this guy is up to, but he’s at a pretty nifty sounding neuroscience institute at Princeton, and clearly a brainy fellow. I’m encouraged.

Ben Singer, Geeky Brain Scientist No. 2

Two, count ‘em, two! Two, completely separate neuroscientists in the US with my name. This Ben Singer, works at a lab at University of Michigan. He “uses a photodiode array and voltage sensitive dyes to record population activity across the surface of the olfactory bulb.” And I’ll bet he does a bang up job.

Ben Singer, Film and Communications Professor

And the cavalcade of intellectual Ben Singers continues! This one is a specialist on early American silent films (yawn!) at University of Wisconsin. But with a BA from Harvard and a PhD from NYU, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. “I am currently doing research on late Romantic currents, both stylistic and thematic, in early film criticism and avant-garde film,” says Singer. You do that, and you do it the best you can Ben Singer!

Ben Singer, Scrap Metal Tycoon

This is the character who stole my www.bensinger.com URL. He, together with his sons, is the scrap metal kings of Buffalo, NY. So he’s not only a successful entrepreneur, but a family guy as well. His company slogan could use some work: “We have been recycling from our beginning before it became a world necessity.”But at least he cares about the environment.

Ben Singer, Student Blogger

This namesake annoys me a bit. Not only because he stole the bensinger.blogspot.com address, but because he is a smug 18-year-old who posts bad poetry on his blog and describes himself this way: “5’9″3/4, brown hair, brown eyes, semi-athletic build even though I play no organised sports. I’m the president of my school’s student council, and I fully plan on making all your wildest dreams come true.” Annoying. But he’s still a Ben Singer, so he has my vote.

Ben Singer, Marketing Executive

Interestingly, this vice president of a health care marketing firm got his start in journalism, “as a writer and assistant producer in network news, sports and entertainment television in New York and Los Angeles.” I guess eventually the money-making urge took over and he went into the corporate PR world. You mean I stand a chance of making a living some day? Thank you Ben Singer.

Ben Singer, Fictional TV Characters

Some Ben Singers are not even really Ben Singers.

One was a character on the short-lived Melrose Place spin-off Models, Inc. played by Lonnie Schuyler (left). A bit creepy looking, but not an unhandsome fake Ben Singer.

Another fictional Ben Singer was the older brother of a central character on the Nickalodeon kid’s show, Unfabulous. He was played by the oddly named pre-teen heartthrob at left, Tadhg Kelly.

Ben Singer, Alleged Pipe Bomber

The arrest of this Ben Singer for allegedly having a pipe bomb in his truck was not the proudest moment for the global Ben Singer community. But really, this characters name is Hans Benjamin Singer. Close for comfort, but not really a namesake. Besides, if you read the article, it’s clear that he’s just being tarred by the sins of his polygamous family and his convicted murderer mother, Vicki Singer.

Ben Singer, Guild Leader (deceased)

Here is a Ben Singer of a different stripe. A Brooklyn cab driver turned labour activist. Interestingly he was best known for resisting attempts to unionise taxi drivers, preferring a guild approach insted. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 73.

Ben Singer, Paint PR Master

OK, so this is a bit outdated — an article and pic from 1954 — and the guy is likely long dead and buried. But how many of you can say someone with your same name was an advertising pioneer who had an “inate ability to seize upon the unique and twist it to his own ends – and that of Palmer products?” Also interesting to note another writer – albeit a PR hack – in the stable.

Ben Singer, Professional Disc Golf Player

Ladies and gentleman, we have a professional athlete in the Ben Singer club. So what if he is ranked 954th in an obscure sport that involves throwing frisbees on golf courses. A pro is a pro, end of story.

Ben Singer, College Football Player

He might look 12 years old, but this Ben Singer is a 6-foot-1 force to be reckoned with on the gridiron. “He has plenty of skill and ability and has the potential to be an outstanding defensive lineman,” says the writeup on the Beloit College Buccaneers’ website. If that’s not a glowing endorsement I don’t know what is!