Altering the Planets

It's official (has been for some time now, though few have realised) - there are only eight planets. What happened? Did Pluto spin out of orbit, or was it perhaps sneakily destroyed by some anarchist society? Nothing so spectular. The International Astronomical Union decided to redefine the term "planet". And the Wee One, so recently admitted into the exclusive 'Sol Planetary Club' has once again been cast into the outer darkness. Humans seem to like labeling immutable things and then jimmying with the definitions. I suppose it grants a certain (shallow) power rush. One of these days someone will decide that there's only six continents. At least that would have some sort of logical grounding. We must sort and define - and we will; it's built into our nature. However, we'd do well to remember that in doing so we change nothing. Many see it (if perhaps subconciously) as a source of pride that we are able to say what is a planet and what is merely a large piece of orbital rock. Well, yes we can do that, and the planets have never spoken back (fortunately for us, I suspect). But neither have they deigned to alter their courses or characteristics. They are what they are, and will continue to be long after the fragile breath that once defined them has left our bodies. We are wise after our own fashion; that is our glory. We are also small, frail, and in the face of Natures grandeur, remarkably impotent. This is no shame, but hopefully the realization is sufficient to keep us in our place. For now, at least, we should remember which can really change which.