Another reason why Canada is awesome, besides universal health care, is their reaction to the death of Leonard Nimoy: defacing currency.
The Canadian five-dollar banknote has a portrait of former prime minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
A few years ago, it was discovered that drawing pointy ears, pointy eyebrows, and a bowl cut on Laurier made him look remarkably like Mr. Spock from Star Trek. This came to be known as “spocking.”
In 2008, a Facebook page was set up to promote the practice called “Spock Your Five.” While this provided some amusement for Canadians, after the death of Leonard Nimoy, the practice of “spocking” became an actual movement. Canadians were encouraged to “spock” their five-dollar bills as a tribute to the iconic geek hero.
Not only has this proved very popular, it’s also not technically illegal. According to Uproxx, the Bank of Canada’s official response to the “spocking” movement was that there are no laws prohibiting defacing or mutilating banknotes, but:
Nonetheless, bank spokeswoman Josianne Menard pointed out there are reasons to resist the urge to scribble on bills.
“The Bank of Canada feels that writing and markings on bank notes are inappropriate as they are a symbol of our country and a source of national pride,” Menard wrote in an email.
They also pointed out that some retailers may not accept or use the spocked currency, which would shorten the bills’ circulation. So if you care about your country and wanted to keep money in circulation, stop “spocking” it. But if you don’t care about Canada’s national pride or just want a souvenir, get out your Sharpies, and go to town.
[Via CBS News]
What do you think of spocking?
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<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="33342 ">24 Comments
Some of those are really good. I should go see if anyone is hocking them on EBay yet.
Me too. I think he's going to surprise all of us.
Spocking – first time I'd heard of it. Some sharp person is going to start collecting all of those and have a priceless collection on his hands.
Exactly… we have to somehow connect with the screen, not that we are super heroes… I sometimes imagine my life like Tony Stark, still having the problems in my life… but able to make something to forget it for awhile…
Spock-bucks… brilliant!
I do see a resemblance. I don't draw on money, but find this very cool. 🙂
Nice! I like the mirror spock the best.
I love the look, really looking forward to the movie as well. I would have liked to have seen a live version of the comic book The Dark Knight Returns though 😉
Lol, that's pretty funny.
The postcards are awesome. Love the lineup for the avengers. Now if they'd just go with Miles for the next film Spidey.
What would be really amazing is if the next Terminator film is good.
Very excited about the X-Files! Only like eight episodes, but I'll take it. Please let it be way better than the last movie.
And Simpsons Akira is funny.
I'd love to see Idris Elba go full Klingon! Simon Pegg is writing the script, so it should be good.
bringing back the X-files… awesome, I think I was one of 30 people who enjoyed the last film… though it was an episode made into a film. T? it better be a good movie… Sarah Conner says so.
The next Star Trek can't be worse than the last one. It's good comics are finally getting some diversity.
The last one had its critics but I was thinking “needs more Elba!”
I think it wasn’t a bad film, but X-Files episodes went from great to bad so quickly that it felt like one of the bad episodes. The next Terminator must be good. Connor agrees.
Pegg has some real talent and is one of my favorite parts of the Abram’s Star Trek. They could put Elba in make-up but I’m hoping they don’t. He has enough power that he could storm in there just using his eyes.
Yeah Karen, a true live-action interpretation of the novel would be insane. Hopefully this’ll be the next best thing. 🙂
Lorelei Signal is definitely not my favorite so far. I love Scotty singing but otherwise, the story is forgettable.
The TIE Fighter short film was awesome.
Thanks for the Mention Maurice, I have to admit despite the plot, the alien women are bewitching little devils.
They're very tempting. You're welcome!
It really is Tom. They'd be fools not to hire him for a feature.
Took him 4 years just to do that too, crazy.