Is the Word a Machine? (cont.)

• Object-surrogates for names are thousands of years old

• • Cartouche
  • • Oval surrounding an Egyptian royal name
    • Instrumental as the “entry point” to deciphering hieroglyphics
    • • Intepretable as a name across millennia even absent any decipherment
  • Seal impression
  • • Still in use in some places as a signature
  • RFID name badge