A long legacy amongst the broadest number of people requires a reductionism that turns your name into some representation of a particular achievement.
We remember and continue to honour very few people from the past in daily conversation. Sure, if you had to come up with a particular person when answering a question it’s possible that you “remember” them, but often that requires research. Charles Babbage. For example. Invented the computer. Some of you no doubt remember that – but we don’t have any great reminder about his work. If computers were called babbages, then we’d never forget him. Anyway, here’s a song that better explains the aim for anybody who wants to be remembered. Become a noun.
Wanna Live Forever? Become A Noun from NPR on Vimeo.