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Large Round Influential Objects

By Keith Cowing
NASA Watch
August 23, 2006

D.C. area space policy student note: How can you adapt the current planet definition criteria (under consideration) to also define what a politician is?

Planet determination criteria:

(a) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid-body forces so that it assumes hydrostatic-equilibrium (nearly round shape), and

(b) is the dominant object in its local population zone, and

(c) is in orbit around the Sun, and possibly

(d) has a “substantial” atmosphere (defined by having weather, complex surface processes, and possibly could possess life).

Adapted to politicians:

(a) has sufficient fundraising and mass to overcome the outside forces of special interests, usually requiring fund-raising meals (leading to a nearly round shape), and

(b) is the dominant object in its local population zone, and

(c) can talk/orbit in circles at a safe distance around the most massive/important topics without being drawn in or pulled apart, and possibly

(d) has a “substantial” atmosphere (defined by generating hot air, complex committee processes, and possibly could possess life).

NASA Watch founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.