Note: This post will stay at the top of the site until Friday. Newer posts below.
Some super-brainy, but apparently harmless, German scientists have discovered a new, super-heavy element. It will occupy place 112 on the Periodic Table. See, Periodic table gets a new element, from the BBC’s website.
The element doesn’t yet have a name. The team that discovered the element hasn’t settled on a final choice; it’s provisionally called “ununbium.”
It deserves a better name than that, and Whitewater, Wisconsin should be at the forefront of helping our ferocious economic competitors friendly NATO allies find a suitable name.
One might think that top-notch German scientists would have no interest in Whitewater, Wisconsin, but I think that’s just pessimistic thinking. Lots of brainy Europeans fall for corny American ideas, towns, the whole depection of small-town America in film and television.
I’m sure they’d love to receive ideas for naming their newly-discovered element from residents of Whitewater. In point of fact, these scientists would probably prefer to name element 112 after something from, or about, Whitewater, Wisconsin. I couldn’t blame them.
So, what Whitewater reference should they use for the name of this new element? For what would that name stand?
I’ll collect your ideas, and post them here, on Friday morning. (I’ll keep this post at the top of the page until Friday.)
While you’re sending in ideas, I’ll find the email address of the German team, so that I can send along a list of suggestions, each suggested name being a reference to Whitewater. (I’ll send them your suggestions, but not your names, as I am very last person who would ever turn over anyone’s real identity to a team of German scientists.)
Send your ideas to adams@freewhitewater.com
Results on Friday…