On Aug 24, 2006, at 5:33 PM, John D. Giorgis wrote:
--- John Horn wrote:
What I don't understand is why they couldn't just say "here are the
new rules and Pluto gets grandfathered in as an exception..."???
I think the question is - why would they want to?
I think that the term planet is most useful if it clearly defines some
well-defined set of objects. It seems like the astronomers settled
upon
a definition for a distinct set of objects, and Pluto simply doesn't
fit
that definition. I don't know what useful purpose would be served by
"grandfathering", other than sentimentality...
Yeah, that might get weird. Almost like saying atomic structure for the
originally identified Greek substances would still be regarded as like
little billiard balls, while the other elements' structures would be
aligned with the quantum model.
Science is hard enough for many to grasp. Including special categories
for the sake of a planet less than 100 years categorized as such would
make at worse.
Finally, the decision nicely illustrates what many scientists are aware
of and assert daily: That science is a self-correcting process, and
that when mistakes are made they are acknowledged. (Even when those
mistakes are in arguably arbitrary categories.)
--
Warren Ockrassa
Blog | http://indigestible.nightwares.com/
Books | http://books.nightwares.com/
Web | http://www.nightwares.com/
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
