By
Abby Walker
February 21, 2007
Think back to the days of playing tag on the playground and comparing flavors of Capri Sun at lunch. Remember those elementary school lessons on the solar system and creating off-scale mobiles and models of the planets, where Pluto was often only half the size of Earth?
That project became slightly easier on Aug. 24, 2006, when the International Astronomical Union declared Pluto a dwarf planet and shrunk the number of planets in our solar system down to eight.
That same day, Steven Klimczak, a Texas high school senior, created "When I Was Your Age, Pluto Was a Planet." He had been looking for an idea that would spawn a popular group but couldn't think of a good enough idea.
"One day in class someone told me that Pluto was no longer a planet," Klimczak said. "I have always been interested in space and the planets and I thought that this would be good idea for a group."
However, it was more than a good idea. The group rapidly grew to become the second-largest group in Facebook history. Within three weeks, 50,000 people had joined. Two weeks later, there were 500,000 members. Currently, more than 752,000 people are in the group.
Klimczak's group now fluctuates between the third and fourth largest Facebook group; it competes with "good cause" groups, such as those supporting breast cancer research. He was surprised at the rapid growth of the group but understands how it happened.
"When I first made it and saw that people thought it was cute or funny, I asked them to invite their friends," he said. "When you do the math and each one of those people is adding 200 friends, it adds up quickly."
UW senior Colin Thomas joined the group the same week that the Pluto announcement was made. He noticed in the news feed that several of his friends had joined.
"I remembered being taught my whole life that there were nine planets in the solar system," said Thomas, who is pleased at the number of Pluto supporters. "The way the whole Pluto issue was handled just didn't feel right considering other astronomical issues of the day, such as the possible addition of Sedna to the list of planets."
Klimczak found that as the group grew larger, it began to pop up under the related group category on other group pages, which created free advertising.
"Normally this type of advertising costs people thousands of dollars," Klimczak said. "The chance is that my group was advertised in that space 20 million times."
The group has drawn attention even outside of the Facebook world. Klimczak has been interviewed by NASA, which sought his opinion on the Pluto situation, as well as being a contributor to two Facebook articles by the New York Times. Also, the group has been referenced in hundreds of Internet articles.
He seized the opportunity to turn the popularity of the group into a business venture and began selling T-shirts in December through a friend's Web page. He is happy with its progress and hopes to introduce new designs soon.
Although the group has grown beyond the imaginable, it was all started by a simple, nostalgic idea to recognize a generation that grew up with nine planets.
Klimczak summarized: "Any kid that learned that Pluto was a planet can look at a sibling or elementary school child and tell them that, 'when I was your age, Pluto was a planet.'"
Reach reporter Abby Walker at features@thedaily.washington.edu.
278 Comments
#1 Emma
on April 25, 2007 at 8 p.m.(Philadelphia, PA | Unverified Name)
i would totally support Plutoism, it sounds like a GREAT idea. lol. probably not, but I for one just feel happy joining a group about Pluto cause it makes me happy, and if a couple people don't like it, who cares? go fight your own cause and leave me alone in my pluto happiness.
#2 Gnat
on April 29, 2007 at 9:57 a.m.(Brighton, Canada | Unverified Name)
hmm... the comments on this page make me unhappy... it also makes me sad that pluto is no longer a planet, but why bring in such things as genocide? ahh! i think it's awesome that this group is one of the biggest!!! and that i'm a part of it!
#3 Jessica
on April 30, 2007 at 11 a.m.(Portland, OR | Unverified Name)
Pluto has always been my favorite planet and when it was removed I was incredably sad! I had learned in school "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza's" to help us remember, now one of my friends are saying, "My Very Educated Mother Just Said Uh No Pluto!" It's acutally made me kinda mad, lol. Also, shows when I was little like Sailor Moon, doesn't work now cuz there really can be no Sailor Pluto...
#4 Beth
on May 2, 2007 at 12:47 p.m.(Milwaukee, WI | Unverified Name)
instead of:m My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas.... it could/should be My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us NOTHING!
#5 Shelbie
on May 3, 2007 at 3:11 p.m.(Center Point, IA | Unverified Name)
i am a proud pluto fan and i am in the facebook group. the first time i heard about it i thought, why would someone take away a planet because its not in the guidlines of being a planet? and wasnt it just declared a planet way later then all the other ones? then a friend invited me to the group and of course i joined. then now im hearing talk about another planet? so where just going to throw pluto away and replace it with another one that is goin to be thrown away again in some 50 odd years?
#6 Robert
on May 4, 2007 at 5:46 p.m.(Pearl, MS | Unverified Name)
I joined this group out of protest to the International Astronomical Union and their decision to reclassiy Pluto, because under the old definition of planet, it would mean that they would have to classify some of the largest asteroids in the Asteroid Belt as planets, and some of the objects beyond Pluto as planets, so instead of keeping the old definition and adding these planets to their data books, they change it so they don't have to keep up with that much, they just limited it because of their own limited understanding of what a planet is. Sure it is not an event as tragic as mass genocide or cancer, but it does effect the way we perceive the universe, and it might not cause anyone to die but it is still an important issue.
#7 Brian
on May 6, 2007 at 3:57 p.m.(Tucson, AZ | Unverified Name)
Pluto's demotion to dwarf planet does directly affect lives in my hometown. Pluto was discovered at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ and up until now it used to be a significant tourist attraction. Our town lacks real industry, so tourism is important. It may be a stretch, but people may very well lose their jobs and have to move as a result of this stupid decision.
#8 Brian
on May 6, 2007 at 3:59 p.m.(Tucson, AZ | Unverified Name)
However, for the record. I am myself a huge proponent of social justice, and the comment Jenna made calls out a serious issue. There is nothing wrong with the group, but PLEASE DO take some time to look into the genocide in Darfur. It's sick what is happening, guys, and it is naive to think that we cannot do anything about it, or that it does not affect us in some way. Thanks for the read.
#9 Tits McGee
on May 7, 2007 at 1:16 p.m.(Jacksonville, FL | Unverified Name)
jenna:
who the hell do you think you are, i can do whatever i want relating to pluto, genocide is an issue but what am i gonna be able to do that the millions of other people trying to stop haven't already tried
#10 Brendan
on May 7, 2007 at 2:01 p.m.(Kannapolis, NC | Unverified Name)
This is so great. I bet that Jenna hasn't even been on here since she posted. I mean, it's really funny how everyone is getting so angry at her and she probably doesn't even know it. I find the whole issue of this debate amusing. I am all for the end of genocide, but Jenna is still crazy. Oh yeah, and to the idiot who claimed that genocide hasn't happened since WWII, I find your comment about jews extremely offensive. I'm not jewish, but that is still really mean.
All of you guys/gals that find this whole topic amusing should research the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I don't know why, but this made me think of it. (Wikipedia is a great source for finding info on the F.S.M.)
#11 Sir Jake Lucas the Magnificient
on May 10, 2007 at 3:53 a.m.(Columbus, GA | Unverified Name)
"Nathan - 4/05/07
I just like how arbitrary it is that we humans just randomly decided that one of the planets is no longer a planet. It's funny how we make ourselves the rulers of the universe like that."
If you think we shouldn't be so arrogant as to think we can outrule Pluto as a planet, then where in your mind do you find it okay for us to decide it was a planet in the first place? I say aside from God himself we are the rulers of the universe. I'm yet to see any other creatures that aren't human oppose that rule.
#12 Heidi
on May 15, 2007 at 8:43 p.m.(Troy, OH | Unverified Name)
"Nathan - 4/05/07
I just like how arbitrary it is that we humans just randomly decided that one of the planets is no longer a planet. It's funny how we make ourselves the rulers of the universe like that."
I'd like to respond to this comment as well. Being the only species on earth that can do things like read and write intelligently, the fact that we assign and classify things like planets is not arrogrant: its organized. Are we arrogant just because we label things planets or decide that the soft green stuff on the ground is "grass" while the yellow flowers are "weeds" even though they grow simultaneously together? No, just like we aren't arrogant to classify certain things in space as stars, dwarf planets or plants. It's a classification system. Take an astrology class.
#13 Ben
on May 17, 2007 at 1:51 p.m.(Avelgem, Belgium | Unverified Name)
@Heidi-5/15/07: Uhm, I did a few years ago, and then Pluto was still a planet :p.
I always thought the basic rule to classification systems was; it doesn't matter which one you choose, as long as you stick to it consequently...
There was no rational reason to scrap pluto from the list, no scientific breaktrough like; we just found out all planets except Pluto have this or that property, which compells us to scrap it, no; it was just an arbitrary scale they came up with. It would be like saying; from now on, any word with les than 3 letters is no longer a
It's just like spelling reforms and inventing new units; a way to sell more books ...
#14 Ben
on May 17, 2007 at 1:52 p.m.(Avelgem, Belgium | Unverified Name)
(edit; the last sentence should conclude with "no longer a word but a dwarfword." sorry about that)
#15 Eric
on May 20, 2007 at 8:40 p.m.(Ankeny, IA | Unverified Name)
Okay, this is for you people who are jumping that Nathan guy's shit for talking about us arbitrarily reclassifying Pluto. What he's saying is that the solar system's gonna be what it is regardless of how we classify it, and whether you're for or against the reclassification, it's just a futile way for humans to feel like they can grasp the world around them. Pluto is still Pluto. He's saying it's funny that we decided to just say it's not a planet as though that changes something, even though it changes nothing. Like I said, Pluto is still Pluto, and whether we call it a planet now or not, it's still the same as it was when it was discovered 80 years ago or whatever and called a planet.
#16 Eric
on May 20, 2007 at 8:43 p.m.(Ankeny, IA | Unverified Name)
I mean, we knew the same crap about planets ten years ago and we thought of Pluto as a planet then...so I don't really understand why Pluto's suddenly a "dwarf planet". To me, Pluto will always be Pluto: the Ninth Planet From the Sun, lol. And HELL YES, I will most definitely teach my children that there are nine planets, but retards will tell them there are only eight. What now, bitches??! You can go feel superior in your astrology classes, lol, I don't care, the laymen will still outnumber you and our words will hold more weight than the words of you super-smarties. Peace out.
#17 Allie
on May 21, 2007 at 10:04 a.m.(Cleveland, TN | Unverified Name)
Why couldn't they of just made an exception in Pluto's case and just kept it as a planet so there wouldn't be an information gap between generations?? Why complicate matters??
#18 Mels
on May 29, 2007 at 10:40 a.m.(Pretoria, South Africa | Unverified Name)
Jenna, I think there should be a facebook group supporting genocide! What a great idea! (humour, in case you missed it. which is the main reason for the Pluto group.)
#19 Eva
on June 4, 2007 at 3:36 p.m.(Knoxville, TN | Unverified Name)
Hey. Pluto is a rock. It's like space debris. Is it being "demoted" to dwarf planet really such a demotion? Pluto did not meet the classification for a planet, which had to be made since new pieces of rock are being found orbiting the sun quite often. In fact, a BIGGER rock than pluto was found even further out. So, I'm sorry, but the acronym would never have survived. Scientists need a good classification system, so it had to be changed.
Anyway, I found it hilarious that someone made a reference to astrology. It's astronomy, dear.
#20 BG
on June 4, 2007 at 9:10 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Well i think its stupid how they create a category of space objects that still have the word planet in the name but just aren't planets. Dwarf planet doesn't that have the word planet in it so wouldn't it still be considered a planet. Maybe they should have to categories of planets regular plants and dwarf planets.
#21 Jessica
on June 6, 2007 at 12:03 p.m.(Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Unverified Name)
I feel sorry for the guy who discovered it .. i think hes dead but his wife is alive or sumthing .. still after being acknowledged for his great discovery of a PLANET .. now hes known for the guy who named a big rock in space a planet .. umm i think it might nt make sense jst get it ! =D PEACE !
#22 KaT ^_^
on June 7, 2007 at 6:44 p.m.(Troy, VA | Unverified Name)
Jenna... and everyone else...
I did an internship on this very thing this year, and believe me... it might not effect how fast you get to work or how bad your headache is, but it's an important issue to a lot of people. There are plenty of things people could call "stupid" or "nothing to care about"...
obviously, as you can see to all these responses, it matters to some people who actually like to live beyond this planet...
maybe if you looked at some of the spectacular views i have and will in my soon to be astronomical career, you'd take more interest...
its just an opinions/feelings thing...
case closed.
#23 KaT ^_^
on June 7, 2007 at 6:45 p.m.(Troy, VA | Unverified Name)
Ps~
don't loose hope yet, Pluto fans. New Horizons [the fastest and more or most recent space mission] will be able to tell us more about Pluto in 2015 [its a long way, but you'll be surprised how fast that will get here]
#24 Syazeleen
on June 9, 2007 at 2:38 p.m.(Bath, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
It's sad that Pluto isn't a planet anymore. It's always been an odd one, with it's weird orbit and the fact that it's sort of a binary with Charon, which was dubbed as Pluto's moon...
It feels weird thinking that there's only 8 planets in the solar system. 9 is such a pretty number. lol.
#25 Kayla
on July 7, 2007 at 4:01 p.m.(None, None | Unverified Name)
It amuses me that we just randomly took away Pluto's "planethood" I bet if scientists discovered Earth wasn't a planet, they wouldn't bothing telling the rest of the world. And who are we to decide what qualifies as a planet or not?
#26 Kirsten
on July 11, 2007 at 8:28 p.m.(Greenville, SC | Unverified Name)
The sad thing for me is that my favorite planet was 'de-planetized' on my birthday! How rotten is that?
#27 Madison
on July 16, 2007 at 6:58 a.m.(None, None | Unverified Name)
I joined the group, not because i have an empty whole in my heart, but because i want to preserve the memory of what pluto was in my elementary school. jacqueline and kris, i learned it my very educated mother just served us nine pizzas... and no pluto no pizza... tear... lol
#28 Tayler
on July 18, 2007 at 12:27 a.m.(Kenner, LA | Unverified Name)
Okay. So I just happened to stumble across this and was reading through some of the comments. In regards to Rana's comment many months ago-- Do you know what is actually means to be mentally or emotionally disturbed? Obviously, you have never taken a series psychology or health class. I, personally, find it very offensive that you would call any person who did not have the same ideas as you mentally or emotionally disturbed. Whether you agree with it, or like it, the fact that Pluto is no longer a planet has made its impact on history. And if you have ever taken a history class, you would know that history is a very, very important part in how we live our lives. Maybe the fact that Pluto is no longer a planet does not directly affect you, or me in that matter. I personally do not have an interest in the solar system. But one day your child, assuming you will be one of those fortunate enough to have them, will someday learn about this and you will remember the day that you dismissed everyone who had a voice about it "mentally and emotionally disturbed".
#29 madison
on July 23, 2007 at 2:17 p.m.(Corpus Christi, TX | Unverified Name)
Nick - 4/10/07
oh yeah...and then I'm going to make up a religion called Plutoism and everyone will worship Pluto and since it's a religion, I'll make like an enemy of the religion...and the enemy's name will be Jenna...and the people of Plutoism will cast her into exile for her practices of Jennacide and it'll be sweet...alright, I'm out
HAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHAHA.
thats the best.
R.I.P.
Planet Pluto.
#30 Paul
on July 23, 2007 at 11:34 p.m.(Austin, TX | Unverified Name)
Pluto will always be a planet in my book! When NASA's misson, New Horizons, reaches pluto to photograph the planet, I can say a compact disc containing my name along with about 500,000 other names flew right next to the planet Pluto. How many people get to say that? In short, Pluto is still the 9th planet in my eyes.
#31 Jeff
on July 25, 2007 at 9:02 p.m.(Duluth, GA | Unverified Name)
About the comments that we don't have a right to decide what is or isn't a planet:
Technically, if we don't have that right, we can't decide that Pluto is a planet.
But then, if we think about it, "planet" is merely a name we give to orbiting masses in space to describe ones that meet certain requirements. And we shouldn't be disappointed that Pluto lost it's "planet" status because "planet" is a human classification. Pluto itself does not change, nor does the interaction of these floating masses.
However, I did join the group, and not because I had an attachment to it. When the news first came out that Pluto was no longer considered a "planet," I just thought it was funny that it got all of this attention.
Devoting one's time to this would be silly, but so would wasting time contradicting people in this group or those who support people.
In my mind, it doesn't really matter what people call it. It's still just mass in our solar system.
#32 katie
on July 29, 2007 at 11:17 p.m.(Littleton, CO | Unverified Name)
y don't we hav the rite 2 say whether or not it's a planet? like it matters anyways...star, planet, whatever, it's a name it's not like it's the end of the universe. and there's no one out there that is making a law that says u can't still call it a planent if u want 2! if u really feel that strongly about it, just ignore it and call it whatever u want!
#33 jesus
on August 4, 2007 at 10:37 p.m.(Westwood, MA | Unverified Name)
lol @ jenna
Mass genocide doesn't affect my daily life either... I live in the US.
#34 moses
on August 10, 2007 at 11:23 a.m.(Harker Heights, TX | Unverified Name)
haha... well said jesus... well said
and to people who ask how we have the right to determine whether or not pluto is a planet, you're fools. clearly we have the right to determine if Pluto is a planet or not because we made the definition of what a planet is. If pluto's make up or present state doesn't fit that set definition of the word 'planet' than clearly it is not a planet. Just like a dolphin isn't a dog.
#35 Jared
on August 10, 2007 at 5:21 p.m.(Mesa, AZ | Unverified Name)
I think Astronomers should not be so bloomin' specific about their definitions. hey, they made it a planet back then, and they should have known how big it was, whether it was a planet or not. I say that anything which orbits the sun wholly within our solar system should be classed as a planet. this rules out asteroids and satellites, since asteroids leave our solar system, and satellites orbit planets, not stars. now everybody is happy.
I really hope this whole thing was a joke...do you know how many BILLIONS of objects fit your criteria??
#36 Zelie
on August 11, 2007 at 5:35 a.m.(None, None | Unverified Name)
I hope that Nick revisits. That was great.
I think that people taking offense to people spending any time thinking about this at all as opposed to other 'more useful' things (cough, Jenna) is a little ridiculous. I suppose it's also a waste of my time to sleep and to make friends when I could be doing something more useful like stopping mass genocide?
It's just a facebook group anyway, I mean it's cute and I joined it, but people taking offense to the group - Shouldn't you be at least being mad about 'best pick up lines' and 'I hate carla from scrubs' groups? This is way more interesting and justified than those (I'm not trying to attack those, but it's true)
As for the actual planet/dwarf planet deal, it was and now it isn't and it's a little sad, I'm all for reminiscing but a lot of things like this have happened. After things like radiocarbon dating were discovered a lot of history was changed. This is just more personal because pluto and the planets were something that we all learned about at a fairly early age.
#37 Zelie
on August 11, 2007 at 5:36 a.m.(None, None | Unverified Name)
also sorry for the double post thing.
And I was thinking, won't this seem weird to kids that grew up without pluto as a planet? That we're making such a big deal out of something that THEY aren't all that familiar with.
#38 I'm eating cantaloupe..man
on August 11, 2007 at 1:02 p.m.(Roswell, GA | Unverified Name)
Pluto was my favorite planet and it absolutely sucks that they had to deplanitize it but hopefully the horizon will replanitize it, then im gonna make a group on facebook called when i was your age pluto wasn't a planet and together my group will rule the world...or something like that. (P.s. i agree with zelie that the little kids will probably think this whole thing is ridiculously weird) but anyways, I agree with everything said here and im happy to see that we have a huge massive page thing of opinions on how pluto rocks and jenna sucks
#39 zoe
on August 11, 2007 at 7:21 p.m.(Andover, MA | Unverified Name)
i liked pluto... it was cute and out there, but now.... no pluto. it's kind of uncomforting to think that just one day things changed like that! and what a waste of paper it will be to reprint EVERYTHING that stated pluto as a planet. it's insanity!!
#40 Tito
on August 12, 2007 at 6:10 a.m.(Middletown, VA | Unverified Name)
It just devestates me to think that the one planet and name i could actually relate to (Mickey's dog) is the one planet that isnt a planet. I will always recognize that everything we are taught is ultimately goverened by heartless drones who seek out to destroy the Human spirit.
#41 Ryan
on August 12, 2007 at 12:29 p.m.(Winnipeg, Canada | Unverified Name)
I feel so sad because on al my tests, that was one of the two planets i could spell (that and Mars) now i get even lower marks
#42 Marie
on August 12, 2007 at 10:38 p.m.(Boise, ID | Unverified Name)
when i was little...me and my brothers played with marbles...and my favorite marble was named Pluto cuz it looked like Pluto...and i still have that marble...
i love Pluto!
#43 XpoferenS
on August 13, 2007 at 2:38 a.m.(Parow, South Africa | Unverified Name)
Just because some association of planetary what not declares it not a planet doesnt mean it isnt. Who cares if people call it a planet or not. Lol and i never even knew there where rhymes to learn the names of the planets. I thought it was common knowledge
#44 Soph
on August 13, 2007 at 8:32 a.m.(Tampere, Finland | Unverified Name)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA at everyone taking this comments-discussion so seriously. Quite amazing that an article about a fast-growing Facebook group should spawn such a strangely passionate yet bemusingly inane debate.
Lighten up please, people.
That is all. =)
#45 Soph
on August 13, 2007 at 8:32 a.m.(Tampere, Finland | Unverified Name)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA at everyone taking this comments-discussion so seriously. Quite amazing that an article about a fast-growing Facebook group should spawn such a strangely passionate yet bemusingly inane debate.
Lighten up please, people.
That is all. =)
#46 Soph
on August 13, 2007 at 8:32 a.m.(Tampere, Finland | Unverified Name)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA at everyone taking this comments-discussion so seriously. Quite amazing that an article about a fast-growing Facebook group should spawn such a strangely passionate yet bemusingly inane debate.
Lighten up please, people.
That is all. =)
#47 Christine
on August 13, 2007 at 3:01 p.m.(Indianapolis, IN | Unverified Name)
I know that none of you guys know me, so before I make my comments, I will gladly introduce myself. My name is Christine, and I attend Indiana University-Bloomington with a major in Elementary Education. In my opinion, the teaching of our Solar System will ever be the same. I took an astronomy course in the summer of 2006, and it was made clearly that Pluto was the 9th planet and had a moon that was named Charon. Two months later, Pluto was no longer a planet. That statement just made me feel very weird. I am really anxious to teach about the Solar System to my future students, and because Pluto is not a planet any more, I can't teach my students pnemonics on how to remember the order of the planets from the sun. So, there's no more "My Very Energetic Mom Just Served Us Nine Pizzas". Instead, there's "My Very Energetic Mom Just Served Us Nine"Clearly, Pluto will always be a planet because it makes our Solar System complete.
#48 Christine
on August 13, 2007 at 3:01 p.m.(Indianapolis, IN | Unverified Name)
I know that none of you guys know me, so before I make my comments, I will gladly introduce myself. My name is Christine, and I attend Indiana University-Bloomington with a major in Elementary Education. In my opinion, the teaching of our Solar System will ever be the same. I took an astronomy course in the summer of 2006, and it was made clearly that Pluto was the 9th planet and had a moon that was named Charon. Two months later, Pluto was no longer a planet. That statement just made me feel very weird. I am really anxious to teach about the Solar System to my future students, and because Pluto is not a planet any more, I can't teach my students pnemonics on how to remember the order of the planets from the sun. So, there's no more "My Very Energetic Mom Just Served Us Nine Pizzas". Instead, there's "My Very Energetic Mom Just Served Us Nine"Clearly, Pluto will always be a planet because it makes our Solar System complete.
#49 Amanda
on August 15, 2007 at 9:13 a.m.(Kissimmee, FL | Unverified Name)
This just means Holst was right... Pluto is not a planet, and yet I'm saddened by its demotion.
#50 Mel
on August 16, 2007 at 6:59 p.m.(Atlanta, GA | Unverified Name)
I think it is freakin' hilarious that people are actually arguing about Pluto........
For you cause humping, arrogant, negative, nay sayers with absolutely no since of humor, or appreciation for science for that matter....
Perhaps you are the ones who need to rethink the issues you spend your time "arguing" about.....If you feel so passionately about mass genocide, why the hell are you sitting in your comfy chair in front of your computer, typing away your hate mail to those who can appreciate both the fun and serious sides of lifes coin. Why don't you get off your ass and do something about it- STOP BITCHING. START A REVOLUTION.
#51 Austin
on August 16, 2007 at 7 p.m.(Emporia, VA | Unverified Name)
ok. so since pluto was de-planetized by nasa, an american organization, does that mean it's still a planet, in lets say, russia?
#52 Stephen
on August 17, 2007 at 8:31 a.m.(London, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
actually Austin I think it's the International Astronomical Union that made the call.
I did hear a rumour that Russia plan to put their flag on Pluto though.......
#53 Torra
on August 17, 2007 at 8:56 a.m.(Austin, TX | Unverified Name)
You people make me laugh. It is just for fun. One of the greatest things about Facebook is you don't have to pick just one group! It is completely possible to be a member of the stopping genocide in Darfur AND the group! I am a member of both and it hasn't ruined my life. Stop genocide! Support Pluto!
As for the pluto based religion.. rock on in the cold and dark my dear Plutonians! I wear support of Pluto on my t-shirt and support the end of genocide with my actions.
Long live CHOICE!!!!
#54 Torra
on August 17, 2007 at 9:05 a.m.(Austin, TX | Unverified Name)
P.S. I think the new way to remember will be
My Very Erratic Mother Just Served Us NOTHING! :(
#55 Tannie
on August 17, 2007 at 6:16 p.m.(Carlton, Australia | Unverified Name)
Haha Torra, that's quite apt in the sense that we are left with no more 9th. and left with nothing. nice one! :)
#56 Kirstie
on August 17, 2007 at 7:05 p.m.(Toronto, Canada | Unverified Name)
Woww, so many comments.
I honestly didn't think that the group itself would be so popular but I support it, even if I didn't join. It's sad that Pluto got removed from the list of planets. It's kind of dumb that they did too, really what's the point? :P
#57 Johndoe
on August 17, 2007 at 8:31 p.m.(Mobile, AL | Unverified Name)
Tch. This groups are so pointless. It's not like Pluto blew up just because it's technically not a planet anymore.
Here's a real group:
When I was your age, Alderaan was a planet.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid...
Pluto can get over itself.
#58 Katie
on August 17, 2007 at 11:13 p.m.(Montgomery Village, MD | Unverified Name)
I'm not that old but I still remember growing up and making a solar system model with my friends. I made Pluto out of purple play dough.
Sadly however I learned most of the plants through a cartoon called Sailor Moon. I loved the show so much and loved to concept of the planet theme that I decided to look into the science of it.
Then I remember sitting in class when a teacher came in to tell us that they announced that Pluto wasn't a planet anymore. I have no idea why but it really made me upset. Pluto was one of my favorite planets because of it's small size.(I'm a little on the short side) So when I got invited to this group by a friend from my Elem. School I just laughed. It is funny but it makes me sad to know that kids are growing up not knowing about the wondrous non-planet Pluto.
#59 Melanie
on August 18, 2007 at 5:45 p.m.(Fuquay Varina, NC | Unverified Name)
So... I was curious... how do you think they're going to explain Roman mythology? It's like... the major gods are named after planets and then BAM "Ma, where tf did 'Pluto' come from????" I don't know. That was just an amusing thought to me.
#60 baz
on August 18, 2007 at 7:34 p.m.(Sydney, Australia | Unverified Name)
I declare that pluto is a planet because it is a satelite of the sun and not a satelite of a planet. It isn't a moon, it has its own independant orbit around the sun.
I like pluto as a planet so it stays a planet.
I think to descriminate because of size isn't a valid argument.
#61 Lola
on August 19, 2007 at 9:13 a.m.(Staten Island, NY | Unverified Name)
Hey wait a minute, i always thought pluto was a dog!!..haha jus kidding...but on a serious note, Pluto will Always be a planet in my eyes..and this just shows how important pluto was..first it was named after the (Greek or Roman) God pluto and then Mickey Mouses dog is named after pluto
I LOVE PLUTO
#62 ME
on August 20, 2007 at 12:33 p.m.(San Antonio, TX | Unverified Name)
My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nothing.
#63 Dana
on August 20, 2007 at 7:56 p.m.(San Francisco, CA | Unverified Name)
I only joined it because the title made me laugh.
#64 Hannalore
on August 21, 2007 at 8:10 a.m.(Lake Elmore, VT | Unverified Name)
Yeah, I joined because I think it's rediculous they had to prove that Pluto WASN'T a planet. Yeah, it's a bit interesting... kinda, but really, what is the point? Something you've been teaching to gerations... you just take it away. Yeah, maybe we're a little silly for tihnking this is rediculous, and making a big fuss about it... but really, why'd you have to say it? To me, pluto is still pluto, and it's STILL a planet.
#65 Jenn S
on August 22, 2007 at 6:52 a.m.(Welland, Canada | Unverified Name)
I find it funny that even comments on here are getting to be really contraversial as well. Pluto was a big deal, i loved it. I could swear it had a moon or something. But don't quote me. But so do a million other pieces of flying rock - therefore, instead of adding a million planets, they take out 1. WHY COULDN'T THEY JUST LEAVE IT BE? WHY CAN'T IT BE THE EXCEPTION? If it had feelings I bet it'd be pretty depressed and pissed off. It's just a planet, but it's a part of our education that we had to spend HOW MUCH TIME LEARNING? I think this group was a FAB idea
#66 Fernanda
on August 23, 2007 at 11:36 p.m.(Lexington, KY | Unverified Name)
The reason why I care about the fact that Pluto no longer considered a planet is becuase I cannot believe that we're getting so old now haha. Think about it, how many kids today and those to come will not even imagine a solar system with 9 planets.
Jenna, I think that affects your life - you're getting old too
#67 David
on August 24, 2007 at 9:59 p.m.(Lancaster, PA | Unverified Name)
i say pluto is a planet... i mean if its not a planet then what the fuck is it like an asteroid or something... o yea and jenna you can be part of tons of groups at one time its not like you can support a group about mass genocide and a group about supporting pluto...
#68 David
on August 24, 2007 at 9:59 p.m.(Lancaster, PA | Unverified Name)
i say pluto is a planet... i mean if its not a planet then what the fuck is it like an asteroid or something... o yea and jenna you can be part of tons of groups at one time its not like you can support a group about mass genocide and a group about supporting pluto...
#69 David
on August 24, 2007 at 10:01 p.m.(Lancaster, PA | Unverified Name)
sorry about double posting i dont know why that happned
#70 David
on August 24, 2007 at 10:23 p.m.(Lancaster, PA | Unverified Name)
re nick 4/10/07: yea i want to be a plutonian when i was little i always wanted to live on the PLANET pluto not the dwarf planet pluto its stupid that just because pluto is smaller then the other planets its a fucking dwarf planet... besides why have a generation gap now you have to change all the text books and everything else... i have this space mobile thing r w/e that i made for science class a while back now what am i supposed to do take pluto off
#71 Harlem
on August 25, 2007 at 12:15 a.m.(Ottawa, Canada | Unverified Name)
So, I don't exactly get the point why we're taught it was a planet, & one morning we wake up & it isn't. Do they not have anything better to prove wrong?
#72 Amaya
on August 25, 2007 at 5:27 a.m.(San Sebastian, Spain | Unverified Name)
Nick - 4/10/07
oh yeah...and then I'm going to make up a religion called Plutoism and everyone will worship Pluto and since it's a religion, I'll make like an enemy of the religion...and the enemy's name will be Jenna...and the people of Plutoism will cast her into exile for her practices of Jennacide and it'll be sweet...alright, I'm out
jesus - 8/04/07
lol @ jenna
Mass genocide doesn't affect my daily life either... I live in the US.
HAHAHA!!! u guys are awesome!!!
It´s sad that Pluto isn´t considered a planet anymore, but i guess it just had to happen because i guess it doesn´t match with the definition of a planet. it still totally sucks though. it also sucks that they have to change all the text books, but they would also have to do that if they made another discovery, which in that case changing all the text books would be a good thing.
As for the people who are sad because Pluto was their favourite planet, don´t worry. It`s still there :)
Jenna`s ears must be ringing like crazy lol!!! I doubt she´s been on here since she made that comment, which is really too bad because people totally slammed her!!
#73 Jamie
on August 25, 2007 at 3:56 p.m.(Shrewsbury, MA | Unverified Name)
I think I speak for all (or at least the majority of) Sailor Moon fans when I say that Pluto will always be a planet in my heart. ^^
What will they change her transformation to? "Pluto Dwarf Planet Power Makeup?!
#74 Leanne Maher
on August 26, 2007 at 4:52 p.m.(Mount Pearl, Canada | Unverified Name)
well even tho it's been a year since this change. it just goes to show how times are changing.... the broad minds of the young are being instituionalized is my opinion.... i still think that pluto is a planet even if i was told the differance.... if the object in space is a simple form of something revolving around the sun who's to say that it is not a planet? who's to say that all stars are not planets just because they are light years away does not mean that they are stars cuz they could just very well be planets too just like our 8 or 9 planets can be stars to some other unknown planet.
#75 Zaman
on August 29, 2007 at 10:01 a.m.(Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Unverified Name)
Every heard of-
My Very educated Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets
wonder what'll happen to the "planets" now...
#76 Alishaaa
on August 29, 2007 at 11 a.m.(Chatham, Canada | Unverified Name)
its sad that pluto is no longer a planet :( it was always one of my favorites :( I always remembered the order of the 9 planets by a song I learned from blues clues when I was little and the last line was always my favorite :) it was
'and Plutos very small' :) I miss pluto :(
#77 Josh
on August 29, 2007 at 8:56 p.m.(Buffalo, NY | Unverified Name)
It's really ridiculous how many people said that "we humans don't have the right to declare pluto no longer a planet". Okay, think about it, we as humans did declare pluto (and all of the others) planets in the first place.. don't you think we have the right to take it back, based on the same principle that made it a planet? Yes, i agree that it is a change that we'll have to get used to, and that our generation really won't like it, but really..
#78 Leslie
on August 30, 2007 at 12:38 a.m.(Honolulu, HI | Unverified Name)
haha...i'd join plutoism, but i have a prior claim by another religion.... i'll donate XD... i can just see it: pluto= martyr of plutoism...
and... *gasp!* it's possible to be a part of BOTH, for example, "little by little for darfur~ For every 100 ppl who join...." AND "when i was your age, pluto was a planet"
sailor moon! years from now, when kids read all the vintage mangas/watch all the vintage animes, they'll be like "WTF, pluto was a planet?!" and it'll be sad, cuz we'll have to explain to them about pluto's sad history.
#79 Chelsea
on August 30, 2007 at 2:11 p.m.(Omaha, NE | Unverified Name)
I love this group, it's funny but also an honest representation of most of my generation. I'm in an Earth and Space class right now so I understand how Pluto is not categorized as a planet--it's so small, other dwarf planets affect its gravity so they circle around like dance partners. Poor Pluto. If anyone is looking for a (school-appropriate) mneumonic device, "My Very Excellent Mother Mother Just Served Us Noodles" seems a good replacement for the nine pizzas... maybe even more sensible. As for genocide... of course that's important! But last time I checked, you can join, oh, a couple hundred Facebook groups? They don't have to all be serious or meaningful. By the way, what's the point of commenting on an article about a group about a planet, when you could be raising money, if it's so all-important to you? Goodbye, Pluto, we miss you.
#80 Sarah
on September 1, 2007 at 11:23 a.m.(Jenks, OK | Unverified Name)
I never knew! I was sent an invited, and I saw a bunch of my friends had joined, and I thought it was a joke until I read the description of the group; I was heartbroken, because I had always felt a strong connection with Pluto, because it was the smallest, and farthest planet away from the center of the solar system, and that's what I was when I was younger. So, Pluto, I love you!!!
#81 Sarah
on September 1, 2007 at 11:23 a.m.(Jenks, OK | Unverified Name)
I never knew! I was sent an invited, and I saw a bunch of my friends had joined, and I thought it was a joke until I read the description of the group; I was heartbroken, because I had always felt a strong connection with Pluto, because it was the smallest, and farthest planet away from the center of the solar system, and that's what I was when I was younger. So, Pluto, I love you!!!
#82 Div
on September 1, 2007 at 5:44 p.m.(San Francisco, CA | Unverified Name)
Ok I attend both Astronomy and Psychology Classes. According to me, people would not really over react sympathetically or emotionally if they kicked out...lets say Neptune. Pluto's name itself was given to a real cute pup and somewhere in our head we associate the name to cuteness and vulnerability. And as we know it's small and we've known it as a planet it's plain hard to deny an old friend you known about for so long.
#83 amanda
on September 1, 2007 at 9:56 p.m.(New Berlinville, PA | Unverified Name)
Okay, guys LIGHTEN UP!
Think of it on a lighter note.
-Gustav Holst's Suite is complete.
-No longer must we ask, "Wait, the dog or the planet?"
-Elementary school children will only have to put 8 infuriatingly delicate styrofoam balls on a coat hanger for a grade.
-One less section in your Astronomy class
I can think of other reasons, but I mean, we'll all "miss" Pluto, if it is at all possible to miss a planet that it was never really plausible for you to visit.
Oh... and PS, lay off Jenna. There are still posts 6 months after hers regarding her. She said something that was her opinion... Opinions are really nobody else's business, but if she voiced it, respect it.
#84 Rachel
on September 2, 2007 at 9:49 a.m.(Dayton, TN | Unverified Name)
hahahah this is silly.
& well put amanda!
#85 Luke
on September 2, 2007 at 1:01 p.m.(Biloxi, MS | Unverified Name)
I think the real issue here is what the Greek god Pluto would think of something named after him being demoted.
#86 Jenny
on September 2, 2007 at 1:29 p.m.(Cambridge, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
So so funny all the people saying we humans have no right to demote Pluto when the whole idea of defining anything is a human idea in the first place! Love the fact that we can get sentimental over something silly like this.
#87 Jasmine
on September 3, 2007 at 6:38 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Man, the Pluto episode of The Magic School Bus was one of my favorite episdes. Arnold actually had the chance to be pseudo-bad ass and he showed up his cousin.
Pluto, i shall miss thee, and it was one of my ruling planets, i now i technically no ruling planet as a Scorpio. i mean, pluto was THE ruling planet, Mars was secondary.
But i guess Scorpios could be bad ass by being the only sign with a dwarf planet as it's ruling 'planet'. i wonder what the astrology books are going to say now...
#88 alison
on September 3, 2007 at 5:46 p.m.(Eatontown, NJ | Unverified Name)
Pluto was always my favorite planet when I was a kid. I remember doing a whole project about it in fifth grade and getting an A. August 24, 2006 is in my top 10 saddest days, probably.
Oh, and for those of you that are interested, Aesop Rock's new album includes a song called 'Bring Back Pluto'
and it fckn rocks :]
#89 Ashley
on September 4, 2007 at 1:12 p.m.(Aurora, Canada | Unverified Name)
PLUTO IS STILL A PLANET HERE *points to head* and here *points to heart* YAY
#90 Rob
on September 6, 2007 at 4:01 a.m.(Basildon, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
For Amanda: Holst wrote the Planet Suite in 1916, Pluto wasn't discovered until 1930. He was a composer, not Mystic Meg.
I think this whole thing is so they can sell more books, kids at school reading science and astology books from decades ago, only having them replaced when they are damaged, because lets face it, not much happens in space. But now every science book in every school has to be reprinted.
What next? Gas Giants and cant be planets either. That would take us down to four planets, four gas giants and four dwarf planets. Hey that actually works.. Dammit.
Pluto is made of rock, it has moons and a gravitational pull, it travels around our sun, so he's a little small, stop picking on him.
#91 Donald
on September 7, 2007 at 3:20 p.m.(Birmingham, AL | Unverified Name)
I believe the scientists who said pluto was not a planet were not astroligists. They were scientists nonetheless, but the information presented on how Pluto's legitamacy in being a planet could not be backed up. I may be wrong.... So, scientists who were experts in the field of astrology came forward and said it was. I do not know the exact details on this, but I believe it is a planet again. anyways.... at least that is what my teacher said. lata
#92 Tyler
on September 7, 2007 at 10:48 p.m.(Laguna Hills, CA | Unverified Name)
personally I'm furious that pluto is no longer a planet. I mean WTF I spend all this time memorizing nine planets and once it finally gets stuck in my brain for the rest of eternity. BLAM! pluto is no longer a planet. well you want to know what I think of the people that decided that... BLAM you're no longer people. put that in your head and analyze it.
#93 Joshie G
on September 8, 2007 at 1:29 p.m.(Madison, TN | Unverified Name)
i agree... how are we to say what is..and isn't a planet.
but then at the same time.. who will say what is a planet or not a planet if WE as humans can't.
and if you think about it, who's to question alot of things, like democracy, common knowledge, math, communcation.
what a mixed up UNIVERSE we live in
#94 Gabriel
on September 9, 2007 at 12:57 a.m.(Los Angeles, CA | Unverified Name)
Humans defined and created the word "planet," as they did every single word that is spoken or written out of anyone's mouth or hand. If more information is discovered about a certain thing and it's seen that that thing does not satisfy the definition then those people that our society as earthlings considers experts can say that it's not a planet. "who is to say that it isn't a planet?" umm... descriptions and definitions that define the word "planet." It is just a classification anyway. Canines are canines; felines are felines. If i said that how can my dalmation be a dog!! it's a cat!! how dare you scientists call it a dog.. its a dog because it fits the definition of a dog. Hey, Pluto still exists orbiting the sun. It's just not considered a "planet." You can call these little things floating around the sun "parapapaps" if you want and you can consider whatever you want a "parapapap" if you think you're worthy of naming something. haha which i think you totally are. doesn't mean i or anyone have to call a certain thing the title that you want.
and i joined the group simply because of its group name. which is true in my case. when i was your age, pluto was a planet.... considered by experts as a planet at least.
Thank you! Live and love life to the utmost!
#95 kellie
on September 29, 2007 at 10:40 a.m.(Trowbridge, United Kingdom | Unverified Name)
each to their on.... thats all that neads to be said
#96 Kruzy
on September 30, 2007 at 12:41 p.m.(Mannheim, Germany | Unverified Name)
I agree with Jenna,
"Stop wasting your time and start to support a cause that actually affects people, like mass genocide."
I support mass Genocide. I think people who want to tell people what they should and shouldnt support should be next.
#97 BhamJoel
on October 3, 2007 at 12:19 p.m.(Pelham, AL | Unverified Name)
I just want to know how this is going to affect Pluto - my favorite Disney character?! Is he now going to be considered a "dwarf-dog" or a Disney "has-been"?! <<sobbing>> I guess we'll see ol' Pluto's True Hollywood Story soon enough..
#98 Boerzy
on October 4, 2007 at 5:41 p.m.(Gobles, MI | Unverified Name)
seriously, pluto had a good run we defined it so we can take it away. There has to be some sort of restrictions on what a planet is or not. there are many dwarf planets just like pluto so it's not even a big deal. But i dont get why ppl r getting all pissed off u guys can have this group if u want. its not their choice what we get to do
#99 Boerzy
on October 4, 2007 at 5:41 p.m.(Gobles, MI | Unverified Name)
seriously, pluto had a good run we defined it so we can take it away. There has to be some sort of restrictions on what a planet is or not. there are many dwarf planets just like pluto so it's not even a big deal. But i dont get why ppl r getting all pissed off u guys can have this group if u want. its not their choice what we get to do
#100 Marii
on October 7, 2007 at 1:31 p.m.(Hopkinton, MA | Unverified Name)
PLUTO=AWESOME
it's a scientific fact (even if the science world doesn't know it), just deal with it.
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