I actually favour Terra over both Earth and Gaia. The reason being is that it gives US a better name then Humans.
Terra - Terrans <- Nice match Terra - Humans <- No match Earth - Earthers/Earthlings <- Both names for us are crappy. Gaia - Gaians <- Well, it's okay, but I still favour Terran.
Also, I hate it that no one seems to know the sun's real name. You ask someone "What is the name of the sun?" and they say "Uhh, Sun?" *BUZZZZ* Wrong answer! Sol.
Sol - Solar <- See? Isn't that a nice matching pair?
Therefore, other systems should NOT be called Solar Systems, as there IS only one Solar System, ours. Other systems should be either Star Systems or (Fill in the Name of Primary star) System.
I think that's enough gripping for now. Anyone else want to share? =]
------------------ Lyta Vorlon: "Our great mistake. Our failing. And now your failing. The error is compounded." Delenn: "What mistake?" Lyta Vorlon: "The first one, the one from which all mistakes proceed: The error of Pride..."
posted
Let's think about the other planets in the Sol system... Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Naturally, given the precendent, Earth should be called Terra. If we called it Gaea, we'd have to call the other eight Hermes, Aphrodite, Ares, Zeus, Cronus (or Kronos... :-) ), Uranus (well, okay, no change there...), Poseidon, and, well, Pluto (okay, no change, again...).
------------------ "About as useful as a narcoleptic rickshaw driver." -James Lileks
posted
I've never actually heard the Earth referred to as Gaia, around here that word is only used in reference to the Gaia theory. I prefer Earth, just because it's so widely used, but Terra sounds alright too. We could mix and match, call ourselves Terrans from the planet Earth, there's no absolute rule that says the two have to match.
------------------ "Sometimes you get the bear, and sometimes the bear gets you." -Commander Riker, USS Enterprise
posted
Terra works better to match with the names of the other planets. Gaea just doesn't fit right, and as others have said is too "hippie". I worship the Goddess, and we call the earth "The Mother" .. but I suppose that wouldn't work for a planet name, now would it? *L*
------------------ If Galileo had lied to save his life, would America, or the West, or Space have been discovered? And if Columbus had never set sail, would the Earth still be flat?
------------------ Ring this little golden bell And see what changes with it's knell Or Wonder, till it drives you mad... What would have happened if you HAD.
Both Terra and Gaia have special meanings for me after playing a bunch of RPGs . I like being called Terran better, but I think Gaia is a better name for Earth.
------------------ "I have come to the conclusion that one man is called a disgrace, that two are called a law firm, and that three on the law become a congress! And by God I have had this Congress!" --John Adams, "1776"
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