06.Mar.2011 Taxonomies

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The compilation of the Handbook has generated some discussion about different taxonomies of modern life.  Perhaps taxonomy is not the best way to put it, because taxonomy seems to imply some sort of nested classification system.  I don’t think we’re there yet.  But more like just a classification system.

A number of widely-encompassing and relatively fine-grained classification systems actually already exist.  For a long time we have celebrated the Dewey decimal system as serving this purpose.  I came across yet another, even more particulate, classification system the other day: the Trademark Acceptable Identification of Goods & Services Manual.  Basically, if you register a trademark with the Patent Office, you have to denote the applicable goods and services and you can only pick from this list.  This list, however, contains more than 30,000 entries, so there is much to choose from.

The first good on the list is “chives” with subcategories of fresh, raw, or unprocessed.  I’d like to work through the list and spotlight each good.  Like, what are chives, what characteristics make the best chives, who has taken it to the next level with chives obsession, and so on.  I think it would be a fruitful project.  I’ve got my hands full with the Handbook and what not, but if anyone wants to the be the editor of Dairy River: Goods & Services step up: dairyriver@gmail.com.

With the Handbook, I e-mailed Cooper Lighting about the origins of the OV25 model back when it was a Westinghouse, we’ll see if they get back to me.  I don’t see why they wouldn’t, it’s free publicity.  Conflicted about whether to move on from Streetlights or not.  I think I’m going to see it through to another level of completion before moving on.