Very weird theory that I found on the Internet

a reply to: Kangaruex4Ewe

Text Those that never knew "Stein" have no way of understanding that this isn't something that we just were unaware of and should get over it.

Everybody has know it as "stein" by pronunciation.

But, I specifically remember arguing about the spelling with my friend in the 4th grade. That was 33 years ago.

When I first read this thread I was a "stein". But, since then I realized I was wrong.

I know exactly what it feels like to think it was "stein".

The reason so many remember it that way is because of the way people pronounce it.

It's really that simple.

a reply to: tacocat

I was only trying to cover the most plausible scenarios, but I also love the author of Hitchhiker's Guide.

Thanks for the smile.

a reply to: tacocat

Douglas Adams would certainly have a blast in this thread. He was in my limited opinion one of the greatest authors of all time. His mind was boundless.

a reply to: caterpillage

It's the siren song of his repressed memories from before the dimensional shift....



I'm perfectly willing to blame it on faulty memory. It's just that this memory is quite vivid. I would have bet good money against someone trying to convince me it was -stain. I am willing to ascribe it to false memory. The question still remains, why are soo many of us having this same false memory. It's mindboggling for the majority of people to all pronounce the name as some variant of Berenstein or Berensteen when there is no E back there to begin with. How much simpler for a child to simply sound out -stain. Why did none of us do that, or notice when we were older and reading them to our children. I think it's fascinating, and clearly so do other people in the thread. I'm sure it's some sort quirk of synaptic paths, I'd just like to know more since clearly a good number of the population are apparently programmed the same way.
It's one things to leave my keys on the kitchen counter, and be convinced I left them on the desk. These things happen from time to time. "It was just here!" It's another when eight out of ten people I ask say, "Yes, I remember seeing them on the desk. Aren't they there?"
It's great that some of you remember them being left on the counter, but it doesn't really explain why we were all so certain they were on the desk. And then of course there lies the possibility that you 'Stainites are really out to overwrite our memory of our happy BerenstEin dimension where we once felt so comfortable before awakening in this Berenstain world. Don't think I'm not keeping an eye on you 'Stainites...

originally posted by: [post=18076249]MagicWand67
When I first read this thread I was a "stein". But, since then I realized I was wrong.

They've gotten to you...

a reply to: _Del_

You feel the same way about it as I do. In my mind there is probably a logical reason. I am still clinging to misprints of the books getting out if only for my own sanity.

I'm not hoping that I am from another dimension and the Galactic Federation of Light will rescue me from this wretched planet.

But I do want an answer regardless of what it is. I do not believe thousands (probably many more than that, that just haven't made it to that part of the internet) are just remembering incorrectly. If it appears I am rejecting the reality of those who keep offering that as an explanation, it's because I am. My reality is different.

originally posted by: _Del_
a reply to: caterpillage

It's the siren song of his repressed memories from before the dimensional shift....

I'm perfectly willing to blame it on faulty memory. It's just that this memory is quite vivid. I would have bet good money against someone trying to convince me it was -stain. I am willing to ascribe it to false memory. The question still remains, why are soo many of us having this same false memory. It's mindboggling for the majority of people to all pronounce the name as some variant of Berenstein or Berensteen when there is no E back there to begin with. How much simpler for a child to simply sound out -stain. Why did none of us do that, or notice when we were older and reading them to our children. I think it's fascinating, and clearly so do other people in the thread. I'm sure it's some sort quirk of synaptic paths, I'd just like to know more since clearly a good number of the population are apparently programmed the same way.
It's one things to leave my keys on the kitchen counter, and be convinced I left them on the desk. These things happen from time to time. "It was just here!" It's another when eight out of ten people I ask say, "Yes, I remember seeing them on the desk. Aren't they there?"
It's great that some of you remember them being left on the counter, but it doesn't really explain why we were all so certain they were on the desk. And then of course there lies the possibility that you 'Stainites are really out to overwrite our memory of our happy BerenstEin dimension where we once felt so comfortable before awakening in this Berenstain world. Don't think I'm not keeping an eye on you 'Stainites...

nicely done

I guess the major problem here is miss-perception or something more serious.

I don't believe any amount of researching will draw a conclusion here. You will find in the end that stain gets the nod.

I do not believe though that that is the answer.

I think the answer is a bit more difficult to pin down than simply looking at books and internet additions. I think maybe we need to look at each other for the answer, maybe pin down a time stamp where this change happened.

If this did indeed occur, then there will be evidence. somewhere.

a reply to: _Del_

The question still remains, why are soo many of us having this same false memory. It's mindboggling for the majority of people to all pronounce the name as some variant of Berenstein or Berensteen when there is no E back there to begin with. How much simpler for a child to simply sound out -stain. Why did none of us do that, or notice when we were older and reading them to our children.

The answer is EVERYBODY has ALWAYS pronounced it wrong.

I remember the argument I had with my friend about the spelling is the reason I never read these books.

He convinced me that it was pronounced "STEEN" regardless of the spelling.

Fast forward 33 years and I had forgotten all about my 4th grade argument and was indoctrinated into the "STEIN" reality.

I would bet that 90% of everybody asked would say it's pronounced BURNSTEEN

originally posted by: Nola213
I'm from the "Stein" universe, the OT (original timeline). I have 2 old 1st edition books from '68 where it's spelled "Berenstein Bears".

Pics please

2nd

Read the 'Shrodinger's Cat' trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson. I think it articulates concepts, in the format of a novel, that are germane to this discussion.
Here's a link to a free .pdf.
www.principiadiscordia.com...

a reply to: BerenstEiner

Did you really create an account specifically for this thread or what?

That is dedication.

a reply to: skunkape23

Excellent book skunkape, my account name is based on a character from that book. I completely agree with your sentiments as well.

We are living in a novel. And overall, there is a smell of fried onions.

Kallisti

Ah...confusing.

Received a little info from someone...not sure who exactly.

They essentially confirmed the original thrust of the anonymous poster who claimed to be Mike Berenstain in the OP's blog link. However, they also mentioned that there could very well have been misprints because it's so very common for people to think it is Berenstein, but added that they didn't personally know of any...

I should mention I have no idea who this was or where they got their info....
A2D

originally posted by: MagicWand67
The answer is EVERYBODY has ALWAYS pronounced it wrong.
...
I would bet that 90% of everybody asked would say it's pronounced BURNSTEEN

Or did we.... How does something like that start exactly? And even if I grew up thinking it was pronounced, Berensteen for some reason, why was I not cognizant of the proper spelling and the difference?

a reply to: MagicWand67


Now now, careful here. Memory is a crazy thing. You could remember that specific debate about spelling, BUT, I have been told we can misremember things....

originally posted by: CagliostroTheGreat
a reply to: BerenstEiner

Did you really create an account specifically for this thread or what?

That is dedication.

No man. I've been a member on this site since 2004-2005. I have been trying for months to log in and I can't. So i just made a new account.

But I remember it STEIN.

Here's something even weirder.

On my work computer, there are 300,000 more hits for "Berenstein Bears" (800,000 or ) than "Berenstain Bears" (588,000 or so, I think) on Google. I have a snapshot there I meant to post earlier of the results.

Now I do the same on my home computer and it's 68,000 to 588,000 or so. Weird. I will doublecheck tomorrow. Perhaps some odd setting.

So there's that too.

a reply to: BerenstEiner

Aight, aight...

Sweet, welcome back.

a reply to: _Del_

perhaps by the time Berenstain came around, people had been all too familiar with the Stein pronunciation. people could have figured it was a variation on Stein and pronounced similarly. without anyone official, like the Berenstains themselves, to correct the pronunciation immediately upon the introduction of the books, people just pronounced the name however they wanted.

when the harry potter books came out i struggled to figure out hermione's name. it wasn't until the movies came out that i knew how to pronounce her name properly.