Pluto Decision Meets with Frustration

fuzzybunny writes "The BBC reports that the IAU's controversial Prague vote on demoting Pluto from planet status was irregular. 'There were 2,700 astronomers in Prague during that 10-day period. But only 10% of them voted this afternoon.'" On a less serious note, lx writes "Nonplussed by Pluto's recent downgrade from Planet Status, Fox News's own John Gibson does an incredible Stephen Colbert impersonation to correct the 'revisionist history' of the IAU's decision. Exemplifying 'truthiness,' from the article: 'Long ago I learned it was a planet and I see no reason to unlearn it. Why should I?' "

No reason to unlearn it?

[Snarfangel]

He must have a hard time when we elect a new President.

bad diet?

[User 956]

The BBC reports that the IAU's controversial Prague vote on demoting Pluto from planet status was irregular.

Well then, it sounds like they need more fiber.

Re:...wait...

[ackthpt]

So wait.. let me get this straight. Fox News is trying to copy a show that is a direct parody of the Fox News network? There's got to be some irony in there somewhere.

There's probably a patent being violated somewhere...

summon the army o' lawyers!

I learned everything I need to know on Fox News

[klenwell]

'Long ago I learned it was a planet and I see no reason to unlearn it. Why should I?'

Don't fret it. Long ago Romans learned it was a god. They didn't have to unlearn it. Their empire simply collapsed.

Pluto: Neptune's Canada

[User 956]

We keep the new definitions, but still call Pluto a planet, just as an honorary title.

Much like how the United States still refers to Canada as a soveriegn nation, instead of a 51st state.

Recount

[kirun]

Don't worry, Diebold has just announced the results of the recount, and 3,134 of the 2,700 delegates voted to make Pluto stay as a planet.

Re:No reason to unlearn it?

[Tackhead]

> He must have a hard time when we elect a new President.

Pluto downgraded. President still fucking Goofy.

Re:How about this?

[s20451]

To: Pluto "[e-mail]"
From: Punctual D. Industrious "[e-mail]"
Subject: PLANETARY STATUS FAST based on your LIFE EXPERIENCE

Are you being held back because you don't have STATUS? Is NASA ignoring you? Not getting name recognition you deserve from grade schoolers?

You may already qualify for PLANETARY STATUS based on your LIFE EXPERIENCE. Prestigious non-accredited astronomy associations want to give you the life you deserve.

Gas Giant or Terrestrial Body status available. Acceptance guaranteed. No exams or essays. Fast delivery of official certificate worldwide.

Re:Pluto: Neptune's Canada

[agent_no.82]

I thought Israel was the 51st state?

Re:...wait...

[yali]

Actually I don't know why Pluto got itself unmade as a planet. I didn't even read the rest of the story, frankly. The headline was all I needed...

Wait, I'm confused. Is this guy copying Colbert or slashdot?

Dear Stephen Colbert...

[Vellmont]

Here's a copy of a letter I sent off to [e-mail]. I wonder if anyone there will get it:

That article about Pluto not being a planet has to
be one of the funniest things I've seen you produce yet.
I couldn't stop laughing! The notion of having to
"unlearn" something just kills me. What a perfect
example of Truthiness, and how appropriate that it
appears on your print version of "The Word".

I also have a question for you. How long have you
been writing under the pen name "John Gibson"? Or
is John Gibson your real name, and Stephen Colbert
is your stage name? Just curious.

Keep up the good work, and I'll be sure to catch
you on The Report.

I'm glad to see another sane person posting here

[Anonymous Coward]

Another thing I'd add: why is everybody even listening to a socialist astronomer's union meeting in a former Soviet republic? Next thing, the UAW will be telling us a pickup truck isn't a truck anymore. Personally, I'll listen to American astronomers, who are good enough at their profession they don't need to join a substandard organization like the IAU.

Re:OMG WTFC

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, I have to rethink my teenage stoned idea that maybe the solar system was a neon atom in a beer sign. Now it's a flourine atom... It's just not as cool.

In other news

[Anonymous Coward]

A later vote downgraded the Earth, Mars, Venus and Mercury to asteriod status due to insufficent mass to be considered a planet. A final vote at the end of the day declared that the gas giants can't be considered planets due to their lack of a solid surface. At the end of the conference it was found our solar system in fact had no planets. All members were pleased with the final result since we now have a firm definition of what consitutes a planet. We still have high hopes of finding a planet somewhere in the Universe. Next we plan to attack the question of what constitues life. All are anxcious to find if there is infact life in our solar system but the lack of planets leaves that in doubt.

Re:No reason to unlearn it?

[Doc Ruby]

You have stumbled on FoxNews' plans for November 2008. Bush Forever!

Re:Pluto: Neptune's Canada

[hmccabe]

My friend and I had a theory that the politicians were waiting until we had 5 states to come in to the union at the same time, so as to keep the same basic style to the stars on the flag. I believe our candidates were.

• Puerto Rico
• US Virgin Islands
• New and improved democratic Iraq
• Northern California
• Any other randomly picked tropical island territory. (I hope it's American Samoa!>

Re:Pluto

[Anonymous Coward]

My personal favorite solution is to Greek-ify the spelling and pronunciation a bit to render it harmless: maybe "Ouranos".

Let me get this straight, instead of "your anus" you want the planet to be called "our anus"? How exactly is that an improvement?

Way to end the debate

[Aqws]

I know of a way to end this debate once and for all, lets blow up pluto

Re:Pluto

[mdwh2]

Urectum?

Re:PLUTO IS STILL A PLANET

[LarsG]

Seems "My! Very educated morons just screwed up numerous planetariums." [kottke.org] would be more appropriate. ;-)

9planets.org?

[deft]

9planets.org?

boy are they pissed. time to get a new domain eh?

Re:Pluto

[treeves]

and look at the positive side of it: when we get old we can say things like, "you kids today, you don't even remember when Pluto was a planet!"

Re:NASA's new mission: to set foot on a planet

[Jugalator]

On a different note, another scientist friend of mine just told me his six-year-old daughter burst into tears when she found out Pluto isn't to be considered a planet anymore. :-(

Think of the children.

The last thing we needed in this debate.

Oh wait. Mentioning Nazi's too. These IAU guys are acting like nazi's in their ruthless decision process, aren't they?

OK, I'm done. :-)

Re:In Other News...

[Jugalator]

I don't get this either - that's from a quote from a Harvard professor who drafted the proposal to increase the number of planets. From somebody from such a background, I'd hope for more accuracy - even if he'd doubled that figure, it'd have been closer (since the actual figure is ~15.7%).

I guess he's using the definition of "percent" that ended as a draft proposal, because it was "better". :-p

A modest proposal...

[westcoaster004]

Alright here it is: we build a big "laser" and blast the planet/pluton/dwarf to smithereens. No Pluto = no controversy. All can, and will, be happy then. We can even get it a memorial plaque. It could say something like this:

In memory of Pluto, 1930-2006
Beloved 9th planet of our solar system, dwarf planet, and now intercosmic dust, we will remember you...

Re:Recount

[stefanlasiewski]

The President of Diebold made a speach last week. I saw it on YouTube--- it's a bit contraversial.

He says he is "committed to helping deliver the Republicans to Pluto next year".

Re:In Other News...

[darthgnu]

Dwarf unions ? Santa claus sure is in a heap of trouble !

I got so worked up I wrote a song about it.

[Jim in Buffalo]

When I read that Pluto was being downgraded to "dwarf planet" status, I thought, "it'll always be Yuggoth to me," and I broke out in song...

(Sing it to the tune of "Always a Woman to Me" by Billy Joel)

They can harp on its size
They can call it a dwarf planet
And they can say that it's wise
To just keep on ignorin' it
They can say it's remote
And just too hard to see
They can talk about Pluto
But it'll always be Yuggoth to me

No, the Mi-Go are far
from concerned what we say to it
Put your head in a jar
And they'll fly you away to it
And you'll learn how to speak
Buzzing just like a bee
Blame it all on Lovecraft
'Cause it'll always be Yuggoth to me

Re:No reason to unlearn it?

[CarpetShark]

Oh yes dear me, because information never changes and people should not EVAR be required to use their brains after their youthful indoctrination.

And certainly not during ;)

Re:No reason to unlearn it?

[MyLongNickName]

Nah. It just means you are at the alchohol induced stage where anything is funny, and any woman is hot. This being Slashdot, the latter doesn't matter.