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

[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.