Monday, September 25, 2006
Survey Shows Israel Has World's Largest Supply of the World's Most Precious Resource: Jews
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Reclassification of Pluto as Non-Planet Throws Scientific, Teaching Communities into Chaos
In August, the International Astronomical Union made the decision to reclassify the definition of planet, and in doing so excluded Pluto as one of the 9 planets in the solar system. Since then, industry experts and teachers' unions have been in turmoil over the decision.
"Basically, we're trying to figure out what happens now," said Dave Brown, a space industry expert that closely tracks the scientific community. "No one has ever calculated what could happen when thousands of mobiles suddenly become obsolete. We think that
For instance, new sales of the Disney's dog "Pluto" (renamed "134340" to reflect the former planet's name change) dropped almost 75% in one week alone. Science text books have been recalled already, and students at some universities are in an uproar.
"I mean, first they take away Pluto, man, but that's just the first step." explained college junior Stephen Brown at Carleton. "What next, taking away our guns, our right to vote? Maybe they take away the 'right' of reproduction. I'm just not going to stand for it." Other students across the country have participated in candlelight vigils with placards reading "Save Pluto from Death!" and burning the periodic tables.
Teachers have also been in confusion over the changes of rules. According to new surveys, 78% of science educators will still maintain Pluto's status as a regular planet, with another 10% of teachers saying that Pluto will instead be named an "enemy" or "rogue" planet during their lectures. Even more basic curriculum has been changed, such as the previous acronym for the planets (My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas). Although a consensus acronym has not been formed, by a 2% margin the teacher's union narrowly defeated a resolution that called for the new acronym being "My Very Educated Mother Just Sexed Us Nastily".