Hashtag #RocksHaveRights trends for 72 hours straight after insensitive remark
NASA Called Out for “Dismissive Language” Toward Meteor-X
NASA faced a galactic-scale backlash after referring to Meteor-X, the emotionally radiant asteroid, as “just a rock.” Protesters gathered outside the Jet Propulsion Lab holding signs reading “Geology Is Not Consent” and “My Stone Has a Soul.” NASA tried to walk it back, stating that “rock” was a term of endearment, but that only fueled the fury. TikTokers launched a viral challenge called #ApologizeToTheRock, in which influencers cried at quartz crystals. NASA’s Yelp rating plummeted to 2.1 stars. Elon Musk offered to mediate peace talks between NASA and the space rock, but only if they happened in zero gravity and were livestreamed. Meteor-X, when reached for comment, released only a single tectonic hum.