“Super-Earths”

Cultural Context:  The term used by astronomers to describe planets which according to this article, are “more massive than Earth, but less massive than Uranus and Neptune (about 15 Earth masses).” It is being announced at the international conference “Extra-solar Super-Earths” in France that three such planets have been discovered orbiting the star HD 40307.  The “triple-system” was discovered using the “HARPS spectograph” attached to the telescope in La Silla, Chile.  The discovery has been termed a “remarkable breakthrough in the field of extra-solar planets.”

Hmmm…

It’s a bird!  It’s a plane!  No, I guess it’s more aptly categorized as ScienceSpeak rather than CultureSpeak since I’m probably a typical example of the world citizen who clearly has no frame of reference for this term.  However, call it my “geek-bent,” but I’m intrigued.  And being that I’m still pretty much in the dark even after reading the article, a few questions/comments orbited to mind:

• I really had to eeny-meeny-miney-mo to decide on which term to post about because there were so many odd ones like “exoplanets,” “Doradus and Pictor constellations,” and “perturbations” (I’m thinking that one’s a post that would write itself!)
   
• ScienceDaily.com is a cool site.  It usually leaves me asking “who knew?” and inevitably responding “clearly, not me!”  I’ve sort of internally labeled it: Weird things you can get government and private grants to think about.
   
• For the address of a “remarkable breakthrough,” HD 40307 has a pretty uninspiring star name.  I would think it deserves a little more Wow! factor.  I’m sure there’s some star envy going on with 51 Pegasi, site of a 1995 planetary discovery.  Although, the article says HD 40307 experiences only very minor “perturbations” so it’s probably not creating much friction.
   
• As one of the scientists on the project, Michael Mayor’s job description is “planet hunter.”  Cool.
   
• According to the article, this study implies that 1 in 3 solar-like stars have a Super-Earth planet.  With HD 40307′s count of 3 planets, this star is an overachiever.  Plus, it’s nice and trim — slightly less massive than our sun.  This stellar dude needs an image consultant to appeal to a wider audience.  Just look at what he has going for him, but with that name…
   
• Apparently planets can be classified as Jupiter-like, Saturn-like and Neptune-like, but are almost always measured in Earth-masses.  I’m curious as to the qualifications of these particular classifications.
   
• The HARPS spectograph can apparently only detect planets with greater Earth-masses.  “Earth-like” planets are just too small.  I can hear the ACLU rushing to file now — wait HARPS is located in Chile, so I guess all those Earth-like planets can go on having their opportunities denied simply based on their size.
   
• More curious Google Ads with the article: 
  “2008 Diet of the Year” — for those overly massive Super-Earths, I guess
  “Car Prices & Pictures” — for the cheapest way to get “42 light-years away towards the southern Doradus and Pictor constellations”
  “Earth Harvest” clicking to Zappos.com — moon shoes, perhaps?
   

When it’s all said and done, one of the scientists suggests that with this study’s findings, we “may well arrive at the conclusion that planets are ubiquitous.” — not part of my everyday vocabulary, but it means omnipresent.

OK, I may be a little late to the party, but I think I can eventually arrive there with the use of Google and GPS — I mean PPS (planetary positioning system).

“Victimized”

Cultural Context:  The term used in a statement by Entertainment Tonight to describe their position regarding a false news story they published last week about the birth of Angelina Jolie’s twins.  See the quote from the FoxNews article:

“Entertainment Tonight’ takes this very seriously and is, of course, concerned that the show may have been victimized by someone allegedly posing as a member of Ms. Jolie’s team,” the statement said. “We are actively investigating the matter and are reaching out to law enforcement agencies.”

Hmmm…
I find “victimized” an interesting choice of words in this relatively trivial situation.  I would encourage Entertainment Tonight to check out how a few other news outlets have used the term “victim” or “victimized” recently:

U.N. to pursue Darfur ‘war criminals’
CNN.com ~ June 5, 2008

70 arrested in Austrailia in pornography sting
CNN.com ~ June 5, 2008

Judge allows sect girl’s release, with conditions
CNN.com ~ June 4, 2008

U.S., Libya agree to try to resolve terrorism claims
Reuters.com ~ May 30, 2008 

Cyclone Survivors Victimized by Burma Soldiers
USAToday.com ~ May 28, 2008

Treaty to ban cluster bombs within 8 years
USAToday.com ~ May 28, 2008

“Jihadi Chic”

Cultural Context: The term used by conservative columnist, Michelle Malkin on her blog to describe a scarf worn by Rachael Ray in a recent Dunkin’ Donuts ad.  The scarf supposedly resembled a “keffiyeh” worn by Arabs which is sometimes considered a symbol of radical terrorist activity.  The ad was pulled by Dunkin’ Donuts after receiving criticism from Malkin and others.

Hmmm…

This example of “hate couture,” as Malkin calls it, is new to me. And if you believe some of the coverage of the issue, this form of so-called subversive support of radical muslim terrorism is apparently pretty widespread.  Who knew? Continue reading »

“Cyber-Bullying”

Cultural Context:  The term used by MySpace and FoxNews.com to describe the actions of Lori Drew, a Missouri woman who allegedly engineered a fake profile of a teen-aged boy on MySpace which she used to deceive a neighbor teen-aged girl.  The teen-aged girl committed suicide after receiving numerous “cruel” messages from the non-existent boy including one telling her that the world would be better off without her.  Ms. Drew was indicted this week on federal charges of conspiracy and accessing protected computers without authorization related to the girl’s death. Read the stories here and here.

Hmmm…
As I read the stories linked above, one question screamed and then came barreling full steam to mind:  WHERE are the grown-ups here? Continue reading »

“Endurance Specialist”

Cultural Context: The term used by Fox News to describe the “occupation” of David Blaine, who broke the Guinness World Record for holding his breath (17 minutes, 4 seconds) –– a feat which he accomplished on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on April 30th (read the story here)

Hmmm… Continue reading »