[Maine-birds] Alpha Code Animosity and a Query

Hi all,

At least once a year we go through the same "conversation" on the listserve about the use of four-letter codes for bird names. Despite Craig's rapid apology, the thread continues over a day later.

I find this fascinating. There are few topics on listserves (Maine-birds is not unique) that bring out such animosity as the use of four-letter codes.  Nothing results in more public responses (perhaps with the exception of cats), especially in condemnation, than the use of only a four-letter code in a post.

Not incorrect bird names. Not random abbreviations understood by only the one person posting it. Not grammar and syntax so poor that the who, what, where, and when is rendered completely indecipherable. No. The fire comes out when someone has the audacity to use a four-letter code, which, by definition, is not "jargon" at all, but as Stella rightly pointed out, is a standardized list of short-hand codes agreed upon by a professional, scientific body for use in the field and rapid communication.  (By the way, what kind of "jargon" is FAC? "Friday after class?" Florida Airports Council? Forward Air Controller?).

Just look at the variety of ways Red-winged Blackbird is posted in early spring. "Redwing" is a Eurasian thrush that can occur as a vagrant in North America. RW black Bird?  But should someone post simply "RWBL" (the actual, official four-letter code) then all heck can break loose.  In fact, I once had an editor tell me that "The use of four-letter codes in (shorthand, abbreviated) text is a deal-breaker...People just hate them too much."

Why? What is it about four-letter codes that get people so worked up? It's not like Peterson declared "Confusing Fall Codes" and thereby relegated a generation of birders into thinking these were overly challenging or impossible to learn.

As anyone who knows me has realized, I love exploring birder psychology. A current project has encouraged me to spend considerable time pondering the nuances of birders, how we communicate, how we learn, and how we get upset. 

So I have a query. Can people tell me (offline is best; I think the listserve has had enough about four-letter codes for a while) why "we" are so opposed to learning four-letter codes?  Why do we spend more time ranting, complaining, or simply just questioning on the listserve how and why someone would use a four-letter code than simply looking them up to learn them (online, at resources several people have posted or in your "Crossely Guide?")  Clearly four-letter codes get people riled up, and I want to know why. 

This is not an attempt to poke fun, or attempt to prove how smart I think I am, but an exercise in attempting to understand. Perhaps I will receive some insight that I could synthesize in some way. Should I be able to do that, I will post my conclusions - or, likely, a link to it. Maybe the ABA Blog might be a good home for the discourse.  Any comments sent to me privately will remain anonymous, so please, let me know what you really think. And, like anyone's posts you don't like, should you not be interested, simply hit "delete" and all will be fine.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Derek

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Derek and Jeannette Lovitch
Freeport Wild Bird Supply
541 Route One, Suite 10
Freeport, ME 04069
207-865-6000
www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com

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