August 25, 2006

As of 8:00 a.m. PDT this morning, Google had indexed 1516 stories written about Pluto's fall from planet status - to 'dwarf planet.'  And for some reason, I'm compelled to write about it, too.  I know Pluto has little to do - on the surface - with Marketing, but I think the whole notion of positioning comes into play here.

While astronomers have been arguing about it for many years, I believe the results of the vote - on whether to adopt the new definition (positioning statement, if you will) of a planet, or not - took most of us by surprise.  Sure, I've been hearing rumblings for a few weeks that Pluto was either endangered in its planetary status, or we'd suddenly have even more planets in our solar system.

So when I heard the news yesterday, it was like hearing that there was no Santa Claus.  Or that Enron had been finally de-listed from the stock exchange.  I might understand how it's possible, but really?  I spent my swim last night watching the stars slowly emerge in the sky, and it kind of sunk in. 

We only have eight planets. 

Of all the changes I've personally been through in the past three weeks/six months/seven years/49 years, this one just seems more than a little senseless to me. 

Talk about a ripple effect of making a tiny change in positioning - think of all the textbooks and maps that need to be revised.  Will we pull Pluto from 'Principia' (one of my favorite things)about the Oregon Convention Center? How will astrologers react?

I guess we never really grow up. And changes never stop.  I just wonder sometimes (when contemplating the universe from a pool in Portland), what's next?

Posted by at August 25, 2006

Comments

Bill email - http://www.cuisinesworld.com

Thanks for this information.

Wade Cothran email -

I can understand the emotion one would convey about the "deplanetary" status of Pluto, but honestly, it's really not that big of a deal. I read the story in your link questioning how much money we are paying these scientists to discuss whether this ball of frozen gas and rock is one of earth's posse members. It makes me cringe to think about the "stellar"(pun intended) seven digit figure.

And yes it can be compared to discovering there is no Santa Claus. Are we less of a person because of it? Even if we have been lied to for our entire existence, what rational person holds animosity toward their parents for lying about Santa? It is bad, yes, but let us move on to a new frontier. Who knows, we may find out Pluto was a serial murderer, and no one wants to be friends with that guy.

note: It is a terrible tragedy in the lives of all who have witnessed the beauty that is the "Principia".

Wade Cothran email -

I can understand the emotion one would convey about the "deplanetary" status of Pluto, but honestly, it's really not that big of a deal. I read the story in your link questioning how much money we are paying these scientists to discuss whether this ball of frozen gas and rock is one of earth's posse members. It makes me cringe to think about the "stellar"(pun intended) seven digit figure.

And yes it can be compared to discovering there is no Santa Claus. Are we less of a person because of it? Even if we have been lied to for our entire existence, what rational person holds animosity toward their parents for lying about Santa? It is bad, yes, but let us move on to a new frontier. Who knows, we may find out Pluto was a serial murderer, and no one wants to be friends with that guy.

note: It is a terrible tragedy in the lives of all who have witnessed the beauty that is the "Principia".

Hayley email -

Pluto not only was a planet in our galaxy, but it was a part of everyone's childhood that we all remember. It is sad and disturbing that it will be removed from our lists of planets and taken out of school's textbook material. Pluto is definitely a topic that should be and will be discussed no matter people's agenda or job.

It is not fair that future children will not know about Pluto that way we did growing up.

It is understandable to some point on why they took it away from the list of planets due to the fact that several more "space items" would have to be added as planets since they were of equivalence to Pluto.

However, it is frightening that they can and did just take away a planet from our solar system, as though it never existed. What will they add or take away next? It is fair that they hold the power to change our space and the way it is taught to children? Some agree while others do not.

It is saddening that Pluto is no longer a part of our solar system, but I feel that it will stay in textbooks and will forever be known as a once planet.

Some people wish that they would bring back Pluto for various reasons- some serious and some funny. It is the talk around my house that what is the real bummer is that Uranus is now our last planet, not Pluto. Others are glad it is gone though because it just simply bugged them that Pluto was a planet- not sure of the reasons here.

You will be greatly missed but never forgotten Pluto.

Kara email - www.karamcnair.com

I visited the Air & Space Museum in Washington DC the week after the decision. They had already removed Pluto from the front entrance list of planets, and they had draped the main interior display with black crepe paper next to an "In Memorium" placard.

Scientists are so much fun :)

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