Parables for Identifiers

Full Title or Meme

Parables teach with stories. Can Identifiers be described with Stories?

Context

A name is used to identify an individual and communicate with them on a daily basis, and it serves as the very basis of one’s self-conception, especially in relation to others,

Clearly people have some idea about what it takes to be a person. Orson Scott Card asked if it was enough to have the memories of a person and then answered that it was not enough. If there is more to a life, some of us name that other part of us, some don't bother to try to name it.

Parables

Bian Heh's Jade

"In the Spring and Autumn Period, Bian Heh in the Chu state got a rough jade on Mount Chu. He decided to present the valuable jade to the emperor to show his official loyalty to his sovereign, Chuli. Unluckily, the jade was judged as a common stone by the court jaders—those who worked with and estimated the value of jade in ancient China—which made Emperor Chuli very angry and had Bian Heh's left foot cut down cruelly.

"After the enthronement of the new emperor Chuwu, Bian Heh decided to submit the jade to Chuwu to clarify matters. Emperor Chuwu also had it checked by the jaders in the court. And the conclusion resulted in the same fact that Bian Heh lost the other foot.

"After the death of Emperor Chuwu, the prince Chuwen was enthroned, that gave the poor Bian Heh a gleam of light of proving his clear conscience. However, the moment he thought of what he had incurred, he couldn't help crying beside a hill. He could not stop crying for several days and nights; he almost wept his heart out and even blood was dropping from his eyes. And it happened to be heard by the emperor in the court. He ordered his men to find out why he was so sad. Bian Heh sobbed out "Call a spade a spade. Why was a real jade mistaken as a plain stone again and again? Why was a loyal man thought faithless time and time?" Emperor Chuwen was touched by Bian Heh's deep grief and ordered the jaders to open the jade to have a close look. To their astonishment, in the rough coat, the pure content was sparkling and translucent. Then it was carefully cut and polished fine and at last, the jade became a rare treasure of the state of Chu. In memory of the faithful man Bian Heh, the Emperor named the jade by Bian Heh. And so the term 'Bian's Jade' came into being."

Even today, people describe something extremely precious in its value with Bian's Jade.

My Good Name

Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed.” It is spoken by the character Iago, who is warning Othello about the importance of reputation and the dangers of slander.

Identity theft is the act of stealing another person’s personal identifying information in order to gain access to his financial resources, or obtain access to other benefits, such as money, credit, or insurance benefits. It is a serious crime that carries severe consequences. In the United States, identity theft is governed by federal and state criminal statutes. The federal law defines aggravated identity theft as knowingly transferring, possessing, or using a means of identification of another person during and in relation to any felony violation enumerated in subsection © 2. The punishment for aggravated identity theft includes a term of imprisonment of 2 years for any felony violation enumerated in subsection ©, and 5 years for any terrorism offense.