Umm, yeah, sorry, the official announcement’s out: Pluto is the (Dwarf) Planet. Not a planet (or at least of the major ones of our solar system). Lots of corresponding videos on the story too – loved how CNN has as its space correspondent Miles O’Brien on the story (CNN.com has video where O’Brien talks to Hayden Planetarium’s own Neil DeGrasse Tyson on the topic of Pluto’s demotion – which Tyson had got on the bandwagon long ago). As crazy as it sounds, the Trekkie in me would say – “Ohmigod, Miles O’Brien?” – which I’m sure this non-fictitious O’Brien has to put up with from Star Trek fans. But, come on, Star Trek’s Chief Miles O’Brien was a great guy! And, I’m sure he liked Pluto… or would like Pluto, anyway.
The gimmick of this upcoming season’s “Survivor” – wherein team’s are initially set by race/ethnicity (that is, before the presumed merger, where one tribe is made to determine the ultimate winner) – well, it just gives me pause. A long pause.
Sit, Pluto, Sit… (Bark!) … Good Dog!
