Jest call me FUN

11/30/97

Dear Major FUN, you ask, how do I, too, get to be a Doctor of FUN?

Today, I answer, I am Dr FUN. I walk through the halls of Mattel in my genuine lab coat with a toy stethoscope in my pocket. Doctor FUN is what I am called. Professionally speaking.

But, I continue, even though my doctorate doesn't come from a recognized universe, nor has any parental or legal body certified my right to the appellation FUN; even though I wasn't born a Doctor; even though, truth be told, I'm what you might called a self-made Doctor.

Yes, as a matter-of-factually speaking, my Doctorate is self-appointed. I myself declared myself a doctor some ten years ago at the recommendation of my friend Gary Berlind, because that's how he saw me and how he thought the world would better come to know me, should the world come to knowing.

Actually, institutionally speaking, I am not a doctor, degree-wise. Nor am I always FUN.

And even if I were, it turns out I'm not the only Doctor FUN. Browse the web and you will inevitably come across other Doctors FUN, none of whom is in any way medical. At least three I know of: me, a comic strip character and some clown.

I take this into account, and add to it the observation that several people within Mattel have already initiated a Major Fun re-naming effort. Some of the several call me just plain Doctor. "Doctor," they might say, upon passing in the hall, in a tone of humorously respectful greeting. Whereas others of the several just call me FUN. "Hey, FUN," they will say upon humorously greeting me.

These variously salient influences have resulted in the evitable loosening of the identity.

I continue to use the name, and hope to continue using it with impeccable professionalism. But I no longer concern myself with being recognized as such. I might choose to be more than Doctor. Or other than FUN. Or more than other.

Because, should learning have crux, the crux of the learning is that FUN is self-entitled. No individual or organization can appoint us FUN. The FUN identity is ultimately and only self-made, and self-certifiable.

Yes, you may call me Doctor FUN or Professor FUN. And you would be entitled. Just as you would also be entitled if you wanted to call yourself Doctor FUN or Professor thereof. You are exactly as entitled to call yourself any FUN thing you want to be, medical or militant: Doctor FUN. Private FUN, when you find yourself that way. Major FUN when you find yourself that way. General FUN when find yourself both.

Yours in FUN,

 FUN