What do Gloria Gaynor and Adam Shostack have in common?

Well, nothing really. But I had to come up with a title for this (quick) post and wanted to make two comments:

First, Hoff needs a theme song and after reading his posts for some strange reason I can't get that musical classic (? ;-)) "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor out of my head. If I am not mistaken*, she wrote this song specifically because information security walked out on her and she invented information survivability.

Second, Adam Shostack is my own personal hero for reminding us all that prescriptivism is tiring and often insignificant. I know I  need the reminder quite often and try to distinguish between situations where incorrect terminology leads to inappropriate decisions and situations where I simply don't like a word. and have a stick up my butt on it. (Still not sure which one applies to the Sony rootkit fiasco.)

Need I remind you that words often change meaning over time, whether you want them to or not. (I still really hate the fact that an "omen" can be a good sign.)

* I am mistaken.

Update: Shrdlu nails the theme song! Hoff is going to be paying royalties for as long as his blog's name stays changed...

Comments

[Hugh Mungus]

I have just come across your post, and may I just say how much richer my life is for having read it. There I was, wasting my life, spending countless hours working as a Humanitarian Volunteer. But that will now have to deferred. Now I will just sit here glued to my computer waiting for your next pearl of wisdom. And if I could ask a question please? Did your parents have any children that lived???

[Pete]

Dear Hugh -

I am truly sorry for distracting you on your quest to truly "know" Gloria Gaynor. I didn't realize my post would vault to the top of Google so quickly. My regards to all the rest of the Mungi clan.

Pete