[meteorite-list] Pluto May Get Demoted After All

[Sterling K. Webb]

Hi, E.P.

    I can go with "lively"! It is a very "real" controversy.

> Ah hah - we get to the root of the problem - you're
> JEALOUS of Britt!

    Yes, I threw in that remark to expose my own baser motives.
Since I've talking about everybody else's ulterior motives, it's
only fair I print an "expose" of my own petty biases...


Sterling K. Webb
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "E.P. Grondine" <epgrondine at yahoo.com>
To: "Meteorite Mailing List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 8:18 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Pluto May Get Demoted After All


> Hi all - 
> 
> Sterling, I want to arise in defense of Rob Roy Britt.
> 
> 
> --- "Sterling K. Webb" <sterling_k_webb at sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
> 
>>     Second: you'll notice that much of the
>> "coverage" of the planet definition controversy is 
>> coming out of Space.com. In searching up articles, I
>> have become aware that Space.com and particularly
> Mr. > Britt, who's doing most of their pieces, have
>> adopted a tabloid-esque approach. They're trying to
>> boost "circulation," so to speak. 
> 
> That's the reporter's job, Sterling: boost circulation
> = get an an audience with reportage.
> 
>> Encouraging controversy and then getting people
>> to then react to it is an old trick of the yellow
>> rag. Of course, the controversy is REAL, 
> 
> Yes, as you can see by reading the meteorite list
> messages, this controversy is REAL, and was not
> created by Britt. 
> 
>> but what tone it has is another matter.
>>     In one piece discussing the "double planet"
>> concept, Britt uses a phrase about them having that
> "barycenter thing going." Hey! Making bad slangy jokes
> about science is my job! I doubt the working
> astronomers are talking about it that way. Maybe...
> 
> Ah hah - we get to the root of the problem - you're
> JEALOUS of Britt!
> 
> Well, Sterling, not every story is as good as this
> one, and the pay is lousy, frankly.  Britt recognized
> a good story early on, lined up his contacts, works
> them, and writes good copy that people read.
> 
> I think that's what a journalist does. Just because
> the story is sensational and he got there first does
> not allow you to accuse Britt of being a
> "sensationalist".  We prefer the word "lively".
> 
> good hunting,
> Ed
>