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      • The Significance of Names
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      • Education Impact
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      • "Alexa" Saturation
      • Wake Word Restrictions
      • It's Not a Problem!
      • Public Reactions
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  • Home
  • Names
    • The Significance of Names
    • Names Impacted
    • Non-Human vs. Human Names
  • Outcomes
    • Education Impact
    • Job Impact
    • Name Changes
    • Personal Accounts
    • Name Misuse
    • "Alexa" Saturation
    • Wake Word Restrictions
    • It's Not a Problem!
    • Public Reactions
    • Media
  • Education Sector
    • Outcomes
    • Best Practices◆Standards
    • Early Childhood
    • Primary and Secondary
    • Higher Education
    • Name Changes◆School-Aged
    • Privacy Concerns
  • Podcasts
    • Alexa Coalition Podcast
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    • Media Podcasts
  • Amazon
    • Corporate Responsibility
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Name Misuse

Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa! Alexa!

A human name was not necessary for either function or marketing; Google's assistant proves that.


@AfterAlexa

Each time you see "Alexa" in the pictures below, replace it with your name or your child's name.

How many times do you see the name Alexa on Amazon's website?


Hint: Over 900+

"Alexa" Bombardment

Amazon's aggressive marketing has prompted an obsession with "Alexa" decor and clothing. There are roughly 8,000 results for "Alexa" products on Etsy. 

"Alexa" Obsession

"Alexa" Everywhere 2021 Video

"Alexa" Everywhere

Y’all, Amazon has ruined the name Alexa. At Starbucks this morning, the barista called out Alexa and I swear everyone looked up to see what he was going to ask her. Poor girl just grabbed her drink.


Twitter user

Google vs. "Alexa" What's the distinct difference?

Name Experiment

Data shows the examples listed below are currently happening

Example: Your name is Jackie.  "Jackie! Tell me a joke." 


Example: Your child's name is James.  "James! Where do wombats live?" 


Example: Your name is Miriam. Drop Miriam and use Michelle. 


Examples: Your child's name is Max. Drop Max and use Dan. 


Example: You go by Elizabeth. Drop Elizabeth and use Lizzy, Liz, Eliza or Beth. 


Change your first name to either your middle/last name, a nickname or an entirely different name.  


Name-Related Challenge

Let's take the example of a name-related challenge someone shared (having the most popular name for dogs) and tweak it to give you a glimpse of what it's been like for some kids named Alexa because of Amazon's use of that name:   


◼When you were a child, did the adults you'd meet at places like the store or doctor's office immediately pretend to throw a ball, saying "Maggie, go FETCH!" when they learned your name? 

When you went to see Santa Claus, instead of asking you what you wanted for Christmas, did he ask, "Have you been a good little dog, Maggie, not pulling on your leash, and doing exactly what your master tells you to?"

◼When your parents would call you on the playground or in a store, did people lookup in shock and amusement because they thought it was crazy or hilarious that anyone would name their child "Maggie", a name that's clearly just for dogs? 

◼Did people actually confront your parents and tell them that they were terrible people for giving you a dog name?

◼Was there a dog named Maggie in all of your classrooms at school because some group was paid to promote this as being good for children's educa1on? A dog who would start barking whenever the teacher called on you, interrup1ng the lesson and making the other kids laugh, to the point where your teachers started ignoring your raised hand because he or she preferred to keep order, and calling on you caused chaos? And did you have to hear your peers and teacher giving commands to Maggie, the dog, all during class, causing confusion for you because they kept saying your name?

◼When you went over to play at other kids' houses, did the majority of them also have a dog named Maggie? A dog who'd bark loudly whenever your friends addressed you, so that they'd be yelling "Maggie, shut up!" over and over? And even though this kept happening, they wouldn't want to take the dog out of the room because they liked playing with her, so their parents would tell you to go by the name "M" while you were over there as the "solu1on"? And, later on, did those parents complain to their own friends about what "a nightmare" it was to have you over at their house? 

◼At home, did the majority of your neighbors in your apartment building or on your street also have dogs named Maggie, so that you'd be forced to hear the noise pollu1on of people yelling orders (and verbal abuse) at your name, whenever you were there? 

◼Were people wri1ng angry letters to the editor about how annoying it was that a person named Maggie was even allowed to be on a TV or radio show, because every 1me the host called her by her name, "their Maggie" would hear it, start barking, and cause a ruckus? 

~@AfterAlexa

Needed a little unwind time today so made a quick trip to Home Goods & Marshalls and this 'Alexa, Feed My Kids' spatula stopped me in my tracks. When we say it’s everywhere, it’s everywhere.


Mother of an Alexa

"My challenge to everyone. Replace the Alexa wake name with your daughter’s name for 90 days. See how you feel, see how your daughter feels.  Replace the wake name with your son’s name. Now, try replacing it with your mother’s name. Try your own name for 90 days.


Every time you hear the wake name Alexa in the car, on television, etc., be mindful of this and insert yours. After at least 90 days, then I ask you to give your opinion. Before that, it’s nearly impossible to understand. Also imagine that this will go on forever. See how that might impact your thoughts. Are you cringing when you hear your own name?" ~Mother of an Alexa

Would you be ok with your name being used in this manner?

The problem isn't the one-time comment. It's the ongoing barrage.


Retired educator & grandparent of an Alexa


Copyright © 2021: Human Alexas  

Copyright © ️2022: Alexa Coalition - All Rights Reserved

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