Naming a website isn’t as easy as you’d think. First off, many of the “good ones” are taken by squatters and other unscrupulous critters who hijack decent domain names for the sole purpose of holding them ransom. (A pox on such people. They need to get an honest job.) Consequently, it takes a bit of ingenuity to come up with something that is available.
Additionally, there should be some sort of rhyme or reason to the domain name. It should be memorable in some way: intriguing, philosophical, reflective of a brand, making a statement—something. Otherwise, just string together random letters or concatenate arbitrary words and be done with it.
As if that weren’t enough, a domain name should be euphonious. It should trip lightly off the tongue, rather than get choked in the throat. It should be pleasant to the ear, rather than a jarring juxtaposition of phonemes that do not play well together. It should not be long or unwieldy. It should steer clear of homophones and other vagaries of English orthography.
So, whence came “Nordic Solitude”?
Nordic. I wanted the name to reflect my ethnic heritage. I am a descendant of the Norse, or Northmen. Although I was born and raised in America, I have had the opportunity to live for a time in the land of my forebears, which has helped to broaden my perspective.
Solitude. With modern society’s inordinate emphasis on “community,” the concept of “solitude” is anathema. I’m not entirely certain why this is, or why individuals who seek out solitude are generally viewed as emotionally deficient, if not defective. I suspect it has to do with society’s tendency to conflate “being alone” with “being lonely.” (Susan Cain’s book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, goes a long way towards validating introversion. It provides insight regarding introverts, and therefore should be required reading for extroverts, I believe 🙂 .)
Personality aside, there is little in modern life and/or society that lends itself to quiet contemplation and reflection. Our lives are filled with noise and distraction—from the idiot box that forms the basis for background noise at home to the iPods and smart phones that get dragged everywhere, much like a blankie or favorite toy might accompany a small child at all times, regardless of the occasion. We are so rarely alone with our thoughts.
Solitude provides an antidote to this frenetic, switched-on, wired life. Solitude gives us the chance to listen to what we’re hearing, watch what we’re seeing, taste what we’re eating, and notice what we’re feeling. Solitude enables us to take a deep, cleansing breath and quiet our minds so we can ponder what we’re thinking. Solitude is the pause that refreshes, so we are better able to connect with one another because we have been able first to connect with ourselves.
Nordic Solitude. This phrase therefore unites these two concepts. Norway is a land of natural beauty and rugged wilderness, with plenty of opportunity to escape the trappings of modern, civilized life. One of the stereotypes of Norwegians is that of the cold, aloof Northerner, and perhaps there is a grain of truth to this—as the old joke goes, when asked about his vacation, the average person responds that he had a great time in part because his vacation destination was crowded and popular; in contrast, the Norwegian would respond that he had a good time because nobody else was there. Norwegians appreciate their country, and frequently spend their free time at their cabins in the back of beyond—cabins with primitive facilities, and largely lacking modern comforts. Of course this doesn’t necessarily imply that all Norwegians are a contemplative sort, but they are comfortable enough in their own skin that they are not afraid of solitude. They know how to be alone without being lonely.
Hence, Nordic Solitude.