Don't you think it's a bit egotistical of Earthlings to define Pluto?

Question

We've never even been there. What gives us the right to classify Pluto? Where's all the political uproar? Millions of Americans say we have no business in the affairs of the middle east but those same people are quiet about our meddling in the affairs of other "planets" and other heavenly bodies.
Where's the outrage?

Answer 1

If you look at it that way, what right do human beings have to name earth? or air? or you?

Answer 2

It's all about knowledge my friend!!! Open your mind a bit, when anything is discovered it has to be named/and defined in order to learn more and refer to it in discussions and research- think about it a little. Definitions are given in order to recognise them. They can't meddle in the affairs of the planets because there is no one at the receiving end to meddle with. Besides it does seem like we may be the first ones there~ hmm .. colonization will enter space sooner or later too.

Answer 3

No, I don't think it's egotastical. I think it's part of the normal process of catagorizing that humans do to talk intelligently about the world. We have to define the words we use because if we didn't then language would mean nothing. I'm sure that if there came along some information that made the classification incorrect the scientific community would take that into consideration.

Answer 4

Yes, I believe Disney is the only one to be able to define Pluto.

If Goofy is a dog with human characteristics, can speak, etc.
Mickey, Donald, and other animals can also do the same,
why is Pluto a "dog"????

But, the most important questions are still 2B answered.

Is there life on Mars?
Is there life on Jupiter?
Is there life on Pluto?
Is there life on Uranus?
(For your partner's sake, I hope not)

Answer 5

lol thats actually a good point.

its the same kind of people who are complaining about our business in the middle east that would come up with something so stupid as to say its wrong for astronomers to define what a planet is.

you should spread this around. youd have plenty of subscribers.

Answer 6

Considering the fact that we defined it as a planet in the first place, I'd say yes.

But then who's to say we have any right to deny other dwarf planets such as Ceres and UB313 the title of planet?

Answer 7

Duuuhhhhh!!!!! Well let's see, the last time I checked, there were no other intelligent lifeforms in our solar system, living on any of the other planets. Please tell me what "affairs" we are meddling in that are being conducted on the other planets and by whom. If there are, let them give us their inputs. Otherwise,It's pretty much our solar system to do with as we please!

Here's a thought, why don't you write a protest letter to the group of atronomers who decided to make the change with Pluto, nad file your complaint with them. Please be sure to provide your scientific bona fides, i.e., your degrees in astronomy and physics, and any other of the sciences in which you have degrees.

Regards,

R. Nolan PhD (applied physics
PhD (electrical engineering)

Have a nice day

Answer 8

Yeah how many Plutonians were at this conference?
Pluto for the Plutonians! Self determination for all planets.

Answer 9

Not at all, we define things here on earth! We've classified and catagorized every plant, animal, and mineral, we sort stars and galaxies all the time. Look, all we've done is change what we call something, not what it actually is.

Answer 10

people actually live in the middle east and can protest our involvement there whereas no one could possibly be living on the planet pluto.

Answer 11

I say we call on all alien races to stand up and take a vote. Calling all alien races!!

Bueller? Bueller? Frye?

Cricket....

Tumbleweed....

OK, well I guess the Earthlings take the vote just like Bush did...all intelligent life has failed to show up and vote.