The 2006 IAU definition was explicitly scoped in a limited way so that it does not apply to anything beyond the Solar System.
Planets outside the Solar System are not held to the same level of scrutiny. Over 6000 planets have been discovered outside the solar system, and none of them are required to clear their neighborhoods to be designated as planets. The IAU’s Official Working Definition of an Exoplanet can be read at: https://www.iau.org/CommissionF2/CommissionF2/Documents.aspx
So, if someone really thinks we ought to have a universal definition for what a planet is, then they might start by having a word with the IAU.
Do you have examples where data definitely shows an exoplanet that hasn't cleared the orbit?
Since the accurate detection of small non-glowing objects becomes exponentially more difficult as you look further out, that seems like a perfectly reasonable explanation - far more reasonable than the evil cabal of astronomers conspiring to defeat Pluto's defendants with organized harassment campaigns...
> Perhaps the IAU didn’t attempt to exert any influence over the general public and perhaps they have had nothing to do with the legions who have since been irritatingly telling people that their words are scientifically incorrect, as if the IAU is an infallible god of science and that everyone must heed the IAU at all times regardless of whether they are practicing science at the particular moment.
You see where you are calling into question whether the IAU have something to do with the "legions" who you've been in other comments saying are harassing you?
To the contrary, I was expressing that the irritators perpetually on standby might have nothing at all to do with the IAU.
Are you a member of the IAU?
The rest of that post clarifies that this is a problem caused by certain “armchair scientists.” Members of the IAU are in fact actual scientists, not armchair ones.
The 2006 IAU definition was explicitly scoped in a limited way so that it does not apply to anything beyond the Solar System.
Planets outside the Solar System are not held to the same level of scrutiny. Over 6000 planets have been discovered outside the solar system, and none of them are required to clear their neighborhoods to be designated as planets. The IAU’s Official Working Definition of an Exoplanet can be read at: https://www.iau.org/CommissionF2/CommissionF2/Documents.aspx
So, if someone really thinks we ought to have a universal definition for what a planet is, then they might start by having a word with the IAU.