Editor’s note: If you would like to submit a letter for possible publication, please email it to editor@rationalist.com.au. See our Publishing Guidelines.
Dear Editor
A recent edition of the RSA Daily included the following: "Sussan Ley, deputy leader of the Liberal Party and shadow minister for women ... added an extra ‘s’ to her first name after dabbling in numerology."
The link provided leads us to this further information: "Ms Ley discussed her name change in an interview with The Australian in 2015 where she said: 'I read about this numerology theory that if you add the numbers that match the letters in your name you can change your personality. I worked out that if you added an ‘s’ I would have an incredibly exciting, interesting life and nothing would ever be boring.' "
We also learn that she gained a commercial pilot's licence aged 20. Having done some flying training myself, I know this would have required a high level of dedication and the ability to absorb and retain a great deal of complex information.
At one level, I ask myself whether I or anyone else should care about how she chooses to spell her name. And the answer is no.
On the other hand, this appears quite irrational, and I believe rationality should be one of the prime qualities needed by people in leadership positions.
Despite her apparent level of ‘smartness’, I question whether a person who believes in numerology is suitable for political office.
Jeff Lerner
On religi...
