NY Times vs Pluto

[sdelmonte]

A quote from an editorial in the NY Times about why PLuto should lose its planet status:

"Whatever merit the new definition may have scientifically, it is an abomination culturally. When the astronomical union votes on the matter next week, it ought to reject the new definition and summon the courage to scratch Pluto from the list of planets."

In other words, even if science determines if Pluto is a planet, the insistence by millions of people that Pluto should be called what it's always been called is a crime as bad as any in the Culture Wars. And that the IAU will be gutless if it approves this.

I've never been accused of a cultural abomination before. How should I react? What should I wear?

Comments

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

We are under attack from all sides! See http://fizzixrat.livejournal.com/63144.html as well.

I shall make sure this is all noted in savepluto as soon as possible.

[immortalthief.livejournal.com]

I would suggest jeans and a T-Shirt. You want to be as comfortable as legally possible.

Now of course I need to pick up an LA times and see what they have to say on the matter if anything. When my father goes to get coffee this morning I will ask him to pick on up for me and then I will post it.

I was never a large supporter of Pluto being a planet but I agree that the defintion the Commitee decided on is scientifically sound and so I now support Pluto being a planet as is now defined. It will take some cultural adjustment but give it a generation and the shock should were off. Change is inevitable especially in science so these people need to get over it and stop attacking the IAU.

*coughs*

I may feel strongly about this.

[immortalthief.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. for posting about Space.com my life has been so much more pleasent since then. I read it as if it were my morning paper (or at least an article or two).

*SQUEEE*

Thank you.

[sdelmonte]

While I read the Times and LJ (and Milliways) and a few other fannish things first at home, I always check Space.com when I get to work. I consider it to be essential reading, and i am glad to introduced it to you.

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

With a superior air. A Tweed jacket.

If you don't fit their stereotype, how will the recognize you?

[innerbrat]

Apparently my analogy with other 'issues' wasn't that random...

[zsero.livejournal.com]

How can science "determine" what is a planet? The most science can do is determine whether it fits a particular definition; the definition itself is not a determinable fact, and scientists are no more qualified than anyone else to decide it.

Eight Planets. Four little ones and four big ones. No interlopers.

[vixyish.livejournal.com]

I think I'm most amused that anything can be an "abomination" culturally no matter what merit it has scientifically.

Does that remind anyone of anything else?

Sheesh.