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V18 2015 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 18, Number 10, March 8, 2015, Article 29

CANADIANS ASKED TO QUIT "SPOCKING" BANKNOTES

Last week we discussed the trend of "Spocking" banknotes - turning a portrait into an image of Star Trek character Mr. Spock, in honor of the late actor Leonard Nimoy. It's really snowballed, to the point where one central bank is asking citizens to cut it out. -Editor

spock_canada_five_dollar_bill

In a trend dubbed "Spocking," Canadians have taken to drawing pointy ears and tiled brows on top of Canada's seventh prime minister, Sir. Wilfrid Laurier, to make him look like Dr. Spock, the half-Vulcan, half-human Star Trek character made famous by Nimoy.

The "Spocking" trend has lead to Twitter hashtags #Spocking and #Spockingfives along with pictures of people's various designs.

It has also led the Bank of Canada to issue a statement urging people to please stop. While it is not illegal to deface Canadian bills, "there are important reasons why it should not be done," Bank of Canada spokeswoman Josianne Menard told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

Menard cited practical reasons, as well as "national pride."

"Writing on a bank note may interfere with the security features and reduces its lifespan. Markings on a note may also prevent it from being accepted in a transaction," she said.

"Furthermore, the Bank of Canada feels that writing and markings on bank notes are inappropriate as they are a symbol of our country and a source of national pride."

But the trend continued on Tuesday with people posting their drawings on Twitter — including from countries like the U.S. and Scotland.

To read the complete article, see:
Bank of Canada urges Leonard Nimoy fans to stop 'Spocking' bank notes (www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/03/05/bank-canada-urges-leonard-nimoy-fans-stop-spocking-bank-notes)

Dick Hanscom forwarded a BBC news article on the topic. Thanks. -Editor

Spock note

To read the complete article, see:
Bank spokesman says writing on bills "inappropriate" (http://m.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31717210)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
CANADIANS HONOR LEONARD NIMOY WITH "SPOCK" NOTES (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n09a30.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

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