Soundtrax's "Tsunami", poor choice of names!

[Anonymous]

What does the name "Tsunami" have to do with locomotive sounds? As we all know, a "Tsunami" is a nautical event and a catastrophic one at that. As a matter of opinion, I would postulate that there may not be a natural event with more potential for destruction, chaos and death on the face of this Earth. A "Tsunami" can reach thousands of miles across open ocean to cause death and destruction on far shores from the original seismic event. Previous to the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean and the terrible consequences which occurred. I thought Tsunami is something which happens at sea, why would Soundtrax name a sound decoder after that?!?

This post has not been meant to suggest Soundtrax re-name their decoder. However, that would be my choice. Nor is it meant in any way to belittle the terrible tragedy which has occurred. It is only a 20-20 hind site look at how a choice of names can at a future point, appear to be a very poor choice!

The word "Tsunami" is no longer a neat name, for me.

[grayfox1119]

Good morning Mark, I don't think that Soundtrax had any idea that their product would have such a bad connection to the recent tragedy. Having said that, there have been many Tsunamis in the past, and with even more devastation than the most recent in SE Asia. I believe their thought prcess for using such a name can be related to "wave" action vs "sound" waves. Both are waves of energy, and when the Tsunami wave crashes ashore, it makes QUITE a noise.
So there IS a connection. However, I do agree with you Mark, it is a very POOR choice of name, especially for those who may be in our hobby, but also lost freinds and loved ones. Who needs that for a lifetime reminder. It will bring NO PLEASURE to their ears, thats for sure.
I was thinking the very same thing as you about this name, thank you for posting this subject Mark, you are a thoughful, considerate person.

***

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grayfox1119

Good morning Mark, I don't think that Soundtrax had any idea that their product would have such a bad connection to the recent tragedy. Having said that, there have been many Tsunamis in the past, and with even more devastation than the most recent in SE Asia. I believe their thought prcess for using such a name can be related to "wave" action vs "sound" waves. Both are waves of energy, and when the Tsunami wave crashes ashore, it makes QUITE a noise.
So there IS a connection. However, I do agree with you Mark, it is a very POOR choice of name, especially for those who may be in our hobby, but also lost freinds and loved ones. Who needs that for a lifetime reminder. It will bring NO PLEASURE to their ears, thats for sure.
I was thinking the very same thing as you about this name, thank you for posting this subject Mark, you are a thoughful, considerate person.

***

I suspect this will be resonating throughout the MR community as I've already had this conversation with Teffy. I think when Soundtraxx came up with the name for there new line, they had in mind the image of raw power and the sound of crashing waves reverberating giving a sense of the Ocean's awsome presence. Soundtraxx will take a hit on this no doubt as if they don't change the name people will shy away and if they change the name it woill mean money lost on marketing/promotions. Better to err on the side of public perception I'd say.

Fergie

Mark, once again a timely post.

[simon1966]

On the conterary, I think that the change in name by Soundtraxx could provide them with even greater exposure. For sure it would get coverage in the MRR press, and possibly even outside of it. If I were in their shoes I would seriously consider donating a portion of the profit from the initial production run to the relief effort. Tsunami, an all enveloping wave of sound, I am sure seemed like a great idea at the time. Since the decoder has not yet hit the market, they have a great opportunity to turn what could be an unplanned marketing nightmare into a win win for all.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

On the conterary, I think that the change in name by Soundtraxx could provide them with even greater exposure. For sure it would get coverage in the MRR press, and possibly even outside of it. If I were in their shoes I would seriously consider donating a portion of the profit from the initial production run to the relief effort. Tsunami, an all enveloping wave of sound, I am sure seemed like a great idea at the time. Since the decoder has not yet hit the market, they have a great opportunity to turn what could be an unplanned marketing nightmare into a win win for all.

This defination came off the Soundtraxx webb site.

"Tsu ·na ·mi (tsoo-nä´-m#275;) n. A huge wave of sound caused by SoundTraxx’s newest and slightly unpronounceable product!"

I feel bad about what happened, but I live in the huricane belt and realize that it's a fact of life. I will not associate the disaster with the decoder when I go to buy one of them.

Soundtraxx is not a big company. When I was out there about two years ago the total number of people employed there was six. I don't think that their work force has gotten much bigger. It's nice when McDonalds wants us to give them money so they can give it to some charity but I don't think that Soundtraxx can afford it.

I'm still going to buy the product (I don't care what they call it) as I'm very pleased with what I've heard from Steve and Nancy (the co-owners).

I was upset when the DSD150's were taken off the market as I still had some steam locos that needed decoders.

I don't mean to sound callous but I'm simply trying to get a point across. Small businesses don't have a wealth of "extra" ca***o change things on a whim.

Have a good day
Bob

[Jetrock]

Indeed--this was NOT the first tsunami in history. I just think it's kind of silly to go around changing names in order to avoid hurting people's feelings when it makes very little, if any, difference...

[Fergmiester]

Bob some excelent points!

The timing could not have been worse for Soundtraxx. What we all forget is that it's hard to compare apples to oranges, though we do it constantly. Though it might be in Soundtraxx best interests it may not be sound judgement. As most of us already know the naming of the product occurred before the event and Soundtraxx shouldn't suffer for it. If Soundtraxx had come up with the name after the fact then that would have been callous and disrepectful.

Considering how many have been killed by Hurricanes, Typhoons and other natural disasters, etc. Think of the product lines named after these phenomenon.

Though it maybe in Soundtraxx's best interests to change the Tsunami name I personally can not equate the product line with recent events as both mean something completely different to me.

I truly mean no disrespect by these comments as what has happened can't be truly described or imagined.

[mikebonellisr]

To associate the soundtraxx tsunami name with the awful, current event will be short term and I don't think we are going to stop buying a quality product because of the connection. If the name reminds us of the pain and suffering of the poor victims I think thats a good thing,It keeps us aware of the bigger picture and the need to help others.Along the same lines....I'm a born and raised New Yorker it's MY CITY ,MY HOMETOWN,I watched the towers going up over the years.We lost friends in the world trade center attack and i'm reminded of that every time i see a movie,old or new, that has a shot of the NYC skyline,there is a pang of sadness and hurt and anger,but i'm not going to not watch the show because of it.But it does make me remember

[Anonymous]

You know, this is a properly thought out post. Bravo! You had put to words what I am beginning to think about the Tsunami Decoders.

If I was the producer of the Tsunami Decoders, I would release information into the hobby world thru MR, Forums and posting on the web that I would:

1- Drop the Tsunami Decoders Name and create a replacement
2- I feel that we would support such a "renaming" action without any hard feelings what soever against the creator of the product.
3- Sales of the product would actually improve very much by such disassociation with the Tsunami word. In view of the recent events with such loss of life and destruction.

Disasters do happen, the great strength is the ability of people to pick up and move forward.

They can destroy the Towers and kill alot of people, but we will build a new tower bigger and better. Complete with the memories of the old towers and the ones we lost. Never forget. But also remember that we are not our buildings and our cities. We are a people that seeks to always go onwards and upwards.

[Anonymous]

At no where on my post did I suggest to anyone they not buy Soundtrax's new Tsunami decoder! My only reason to mention the subject was to point out the irony!

mikebonellisr, New York is your city and your hometown! Unless they have no compassion whatsoever, Americans and likely most the people in this world feel a sadness when the twin towers are shown! It's still hard for us up in Northern MN!

[mikebonellisr]

Just another thought....Millions of people throughout history have been affected by natural disasters.I don't think most of us make the connection when we watch sports teams with names like the hurricanes,avalanche,cyclones,tornados etc.The name has no direct connection to the event.As Fergmiester posted "apples & oranges"It may help that every time we hear our tsunami sound,it will remind us to send off a donation to our favorite relief fund

[Anonymous]

Here's a challenge to all of you who answered this thread. Log onto American Red Cross's website and make a donation to their Disaster Relief Fund.


mike

[dave9999]

Mike, (mikebonellisr)
You hit the nail on the head. Thank you.
Just a few short months ago, we were hit with a devastating hurricane. People died and billions
of dollars of damage occurred. Life has change and it will take along time before things
are normal again.

Now, should I be offended every time I see the Miami Hurricanes play a game?? The connection
between the Tsunami decoder and the tsunami disaster is ridiculous... When did people become
so thin skinned ?? Dave

[Anonymous]

Well I already donated to the Red Cross and I think Soundtrax will definately get some good press if they change the name..My 2 Cents..

[rrinker]

I will TRY to be nice here, but it's hard....

Just starting a thread witht his topis is a PRIME example of what's wrong in this world today. Tsunami is a NAME JUST A NAME! Sountraxx's use of the Tsunami name for their new sound decoders DOES NOT IN ANY WAY mena they 'approve of' or otherwise think what happened in Southeast Asia is a good thing. The crazy conclusions peopel draw from stuff like this, it's just INSANE.

Good press, if they change the name? From who? Who even KNOWS what a 'Soundtraxx Tsunami' is, but a subset of the whole of Model Railroaders who are interested in DCC and sound? How many people who are NOT model railroaders would have even heard of a company named Sountraxx? Lionel, that one everyone knows. But not Soundtraxx.

[soapbox]

--Randy

[Don Gibson]

Grumble grumble.

Are we going to rename the 'Miami Hurricanes' ? or remame WW II 'Lightening's and Thuderbolt's? How about BOSE's NEW WAVE?. Silly.

WORSE: Some Japanese wrestler adopting the name - if he's fist.

[Anonymous]

Soundtraxx changing their decoder's name won't do squat. No one will know but us. If they do donate, I hope they do so anonymously and without fanfare. It would be awful if they used this disaster as an opportunity to "get good press". My "Newsweek" magazine came today. It's amazing anyone survived.

m

[Anonymous]

Is it an unfortunate choice of names? Yes. Is it a poor choice of names? No. Not any more of a poor choice then than the San Jose Earthquakes. Not any more than the Miami Hurricanes. Etc.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

Hm. Alot of [soapbox] going on.

[jwar]

Deshane. I value your openion and trully respect it. However I reserve the right to form my own openion and I hope you respect that too.

To me the word "tsunami" can have different meanings as well as many of the words of our language. I personaly cant fathom how the name of any object, such as a decoder can relate to a terrable distaster. I also feel if this is such a terrable name for a company to pin on one of it products, why didnt some one warn them of the consiquence before the destruction of life and property occured???

My case in point. If I were watching a documentary on TV about the 911 tragetey, and in the same instance a medical emergency happens in my household, I doubt if anyone calling 911 for an ambulance has any thoughts of the Towers Tragity as they explain their emergency on the phone, as I said above, its an entireley different concept of thought. Also as I said above I respect your openion, but reserve the right to not to agree.

But then again, when the initals of MR'ing come to my wifes mind, she thinks Modeley Retarded...I also respect her...but dont have to agree with it.

[Anonymous]

Once again one of my posts which was a non-confrontational simple point of view has turned into a clash of moronic proportions!

[mikebonellisr]

Don't look at it as a "clash of moronic proportions....It's just others simple point of view,which I guess is better than a simple yes or no or agree or disagree no?

[rexhea]

Hey, don't worry about it. By the time Soundtrax releases it, people won't be so sensitive about the name.

[Anonymous]

I wonder at times if some of you folks can actually read and if you can, can you comprehend what has been said! I saw the direction of this thread heading into the Alfalfa. I attempted to be still more specific about my point of view with a second explanation! This second explanation had no effect! Now, try a THIRD!

LISTEN TO ME!!! I am not espousing boycotting and not buying the Soundtrax Tsunami! I am not espousing Soundtrax change the name! I only brought up the IRONY of the choice of names, given what has happened! Lastly, if Soundtrax was my company, I would change the name (THIS LAST IS ONLY MY OPINION)!

Those of you who are still offended by my post, or, reading more into what I have stated then there really is, please go back to your locomotive and rolling stock polls!

[dave9999]

Mark, my friend, you have some pent-up anger.

I guess that only responses that favor your opinion are needed.

This isn't really an opinion, but a vocabulary lesson.
The fact that Soundtraxx named their decoder "Tsunami" and the fact that a tsunami
hit Asia is not IRONY. There is an outside chance that it is a "coincidence", at best.

Now IRONY, on the other hand, would be if the Asian tsunami had hit the Tsunami
decoder factory. Thanks for your time, Dave

[Anonymous]

Good Morning:

I didn't bring this thought up before because I didn't think that it mattered but if anyone would go to the Soundtraxx webb site ( www.soundtraxx.com ) they'd see three links connecting them with organizations that are sending relief. I haven't seen any links like this on any other RR webb sites.

Bob

[Anonymous]

Dave999, You are absolutely correct! Coincidence is the correct term to have used. Thank you for the correction. I have no pent up anger, however, I am tired of people miss-construing what I say. To say: "If it was my company, I would change the name" is not even worthy of comment or disagreement! It would be my choice to make and nobody else business.

I like this forum, because the opinions are diverse. There is no way in hell everyone will agree with me, as was demonstrated to me in the last presidential election!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DeSchane

To say: "If it was my company, I would change the name" is not even worthy of comment or disagreement! It would be my choice to make and nobody else business.

Why? Those who would take a differing approach should keep their thoughts to themselves? This is called dialogue. It is unreasonable to post an opinion and expect that no one with differing opinions will respond.

I've read back through this thread looking for a point where anyone implied that you were advocating a boycott or suggesting people not buy the product. I believe I'm a careful reader, but perhaps I missed it.

Wayne
` Edited for spelling.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

Mark, my friend, you have some pent-up anger.

I guess that only responses that favor your opinion are needed.

This isn't really an opinion, but a vocabulary lesson.
The fact that Soundtraxx named their decoder "Tsunami" and the fact that a tsunami
hit Asia is not IRONY. There is an outside chance that it is a "coincidence", at best.

Now IRONY, on the other hand, would be if the Asian tsunami had hit the Tsunami
decoder factory. Thanks for your time, Dave

GOT CHA!!!! Hot dam was that very very good!! [:D]

I did read the "third" explanation and I truly understand what you are trying to say DeSchane. I support your "opinion"

[Anonymous]

GEEEEEZZZEEEEE Guys, its just a product name, that didn't mean a darn thing until a few days ago...SO WHAT.???

""The fact that Soundtraxx named their decoder "Tsunami" and the fact that a tsunami
hit Asia is not IRONY. There is an outside chance that it is a "coincidence", at best.
Now IRONY, on the other hand, would be if the Asian tsunami had hit the Tsunami
decoder factory. Thanks for your time, Dave""
Right on Dave!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think there is any pent up anger , just an observation , that's all. The Soundtraxx products speak for themselves, even at Nationally Advertised Prices, and the name is just a name, should't be changed because of recent events. Tsunami is by itself, just a wave, as is sound just a wave. A water wave may be harmless or destructive, as can a sound wave, as in music or an explosive shock wave. Jennifer