Challenge Thread: Were you wrong about Pluto?

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

You know as well as I do that Pluto was considered our 9th planet.

That has changed.

Does that really affect you in any serious way though?

 

[VirOptimus]

Fair enough. They broke their own bylaws.

QV this thread for the particulars: The Pluto Issue

So you lied.

 

[Ponderous Curmudgeon]

Does that really affect you in any serious way though?

Apparently, though one could say tiny does as tiny is.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

You know as well as I do that Pluto was considered our 9th planet.

That has changed.

I asked you a simple question - what was the IAU definition of a planet before 2006? Humour us - if IAU changed the definition, what did they change it from?

 

[AV1611VET]

Humour us - if IAU changed the definition, what did they change it from?

It's more what they changed it with: a rigged vote.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

It's more what they changed it with: a rigged vote.

No, the important part is what it was changed from. I'm sure you know the answer, that's why you're dancing round it so much. So go on - get it out there so we can all see the solid foundation of this science-shattering argument of yours.

After all, attacking a rigged vote is an ad hominem. You need to address the change that was made.

 

[AV1611VET]

No, the important part is what it was changed from. I'm sure you know the answer, that's why you're dancing round it so much. So go on - get it out there so we can all see the solid foundation of this science-shattering argument of yours.

Do you mean to tell me that, in Pluto's case, you're more interested in what was changed, than you are how it was changed?

Once again:

If it was just a routine scientific undertaking, why the rigged vote?

Why are three state legislatures involved?

Why is the ADS word-of-the-year for 2006, "plutoed"?

 

[Bungle_Bear]

Do you mean to tell me that, in Pluto's case, you're more interested in what was changed, than you are how it was changed?

Once again:

If it was just a routine scientific undertaking, why the rigged vote?

Why are three state legislatures involved?

Why is the ADS word-of-the-year for 2006, "plutoed"?

I'm coming to the conclusion that you actually have no idea what the change was, do you? You're fired up and adamant that it was a momentous change, but you don't have the vaguest idea what was actually changed. All you care about is the people who made the change. That's an ad hominem fallacy.

 

[dlamberth]

Indeed. Now, I do think the manner in which the vote was taken was a good example of the pettiness of interal organisation politics. I also think the new definition of planets is flawed - "clearing their orbital path" is a qualitative, not a quantitative distinction. But having thought "that's a bit off", with regard to the vote, and "that's a lousy example of a scientific definition", in respect of the that, I moved on to things that were actually important. Meanwhile, as you suggest, others seem to view incessant whining as more important.

When Pluto was redesignated, it hit me as more as a life time emotional attachment to the idea of 9 planets more than anything else. But Pluto itself hasn't changed. It's still there. And the science provided by NASA"s New Horizon Pluto flyby is still providing new insights.

 

[AV1611VET]

I'm coming to the conclusion that you actually have no idea what the change was, do you? You're fired up and adamant that it was a momentous change, but you don't have the vaguest idea what was actually changed. All you care about is the people who made the change. That's an ad hominem fallacy.

I've shown you two links from a poster named "laurele," who would know more of this than you and I put together, as well as the Wikipedia article detailing legislation and even public sarcasm against Pluto's demotion.

If you consider what I've done an "ad hominem," then perhaps you have a comprehension problem.

 

[AV1611VET]

When Pluto was redesignated, it hit me as more as a life time emotional attachment to the idea of 9 planets more than anything else. But Pluto itself hasn't changed. It's still there. And the science provided by NASA"s New Horizon Pluto flyby is still providing new insights.

And what if scientists rigged a vote to change the name of the state you live in?

Would you justify it by claiming "nothing's changed"?

Better yet, what if a shrewdness of scientists got together and demoted Rhode Island to the status of "dwarf state" by rigging a vote based on what they considered an inappropriate definition of "state" in the dictionary?

Would you take a star off of the American flag, then claim "nothing's changed"?

 

[Bungle_Bear]

I've shown you two links from a poster named "laurele," who would know more of this than you and I put together, as well as the Wikipedia article detailing legislation and even public sarcasm against Pluto's demotion.

If you consider what I've done an "ad hominem," then perhaps you have a comprehension problem.

The comprehension problem is 100% yours. I asked what the IAU definition of a planet was prior to 2006. You have repeatedly avoided answering that question. Initially I thought it was because you knew how embarrassing it would be for you to tell us. Now I realise it's actually that you have no idea.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

And what if scientists rigged a vote to change the name of the state you live in?

Would you justify it by claiming "nothing's changed"?

Better yet, what if a shrewdness of scientists got together and demoted Rhode Island to the status of "dwarf state" by rigging a vote based on what they considered an inappropriate definition of "state" in the dictionary?

Would you take a star off of the American flag, then claim "nothing's changed"?

But how does Pluto being changed from a planet to a dwarf planet personally affect you? How?

 

[Phred]

In 1969 the Catholic church changed its mind and un-sainted 93 saints.

Saint Christopher
Saint Ursula
Saint Nicholas
Saint George

And 89 others. Pope Paul VI revised the canon of saints and determined that some of the names had only ever been alive as legends or not enough was known about them to determine their status.

Funny. For a group that says God tells them what to do and when to do it.

 

[AV1611VET]

I asked what the IAU definition of a planet was prior to 2006.

Who cares? I never even heard of the IAU prior to Pluto's demotion.

I can see you as a [soon to be let go] detective:

BB: You say you saw the safe robbed?
Eyewitness: Yes, sir.
BB: Are you sure it was robbed?
Eyewitness: Yes, sir.
BB: How much money was in the safe before it was robbed, and how much is in there now?
Eyewitness: Well, I don't know. I just saw some guys rob it. And three state law agencies put out an APB on the robbers, as well as their method has been voted the agencies "Method of the Year" for 2021.
BB: Sorry ... can't help you.

 

[AV1611VET]

But how does Pluto being changed from a planet to a dwarf planet personally affect you? How?

I get hives and writhe in pain all night long, often waking up in a sweat just in time to make it to the bathroom.

 

[Warden_of_the_Storm]

I get hives and writhe in pain all night long, often waking up in a sweat just in time to make it to the bathroom.

You might need to see a doctor about that, and I highly doubt it has anything to do with Pluto being reclassified.

 

[AV1611VET]

Funny. For a group that says God tells them what to do and when to do it.

This poster is not responsible for the actions of any church outside of his parking lot.

That's why the word "Independent" is in his belief system.

 

[Hans Blaster]

I never even heard of the IAU prior to Pluto's demotion.

Of course not.

 

[Lost4words]

Pluto will always be my mother planet! Woof!