23rd February 2004, 6:46 PM
See what I mean? That whole unit of measurement is constantly in flux because it's not based on some sure thing that won't change. Seconds are nice and metric, though all other units of time above it, though TECHNICALLY metric for being based on it, don't have the luxery of easy conversation. Still, wouldn't change THAT due to how much easier it is to use those units than having to figure out how many gigaseconds it is until the new game comes out.
Oh and, as I already explained a few times, during elementary my school made a similar choice that really old schools made when they decided to teach the "new math" (you know, the hard to learn stuff that doesn't work?). They all taught us metric instead of english standard. Now, the thing is I think that was the only school doing that in the whole state. Also, I only went to that school for a year or two, as was the case with EVERY school I've ever been to. Why none of them since then decided to get down and teach me standard I am not sure, but I think it's a combination of OK school's lack of goodness (that's FUNNY, LAUGH!) coupled with the teachers just being impressed at a student knowing metric. You have to keep in mind that while most people know standard, they still think of metric as a "smart" standard of measurement (what they don't get is that metric is smart because it's so easy, not because it's something you need a diploma in to understand), so they would actually indulge me and not only allow me to use metric measurements, but went about telling all the others students they should learn too. Really, in retrospect it does seem rather odd. No, I'm not from Canada. I've lived in Oklahoma my whole life.
I bet you didn't read that whole incident with the kilometers-per-hour only sign in the middle of nowhere did you?
Oh and, as I already explained a few times, during elementary my school made a similar choice that really old schools made when they decided to teach the "new math" (you know, the hard to learn stuff that doesn't work?). They all taught us metric instead of english standard. Now, the thing is I think that was the only school doing that in the whole state. Also, I only went to that school for a year or two, as was the case with EVERY school I've ever been to. Why none of them since then decided to get down and teach me standard I am not sure, but I think it's a combination of OK school's lack of goodness (that's FUNNY, LAUGH!) coupled with the teachers just being impressed at a student knowing metric. You have to keep in mind that while most people know standard, they still think of metric as a "smart" standard of measurement (what they don't get is that metric is smart because it's so easy, not because it's something you need a diploma in to understand), so they would actually indulge me and not only allow me to use metric measurements, but went about telling all the others students they should learn too. Really, in retrospect it does seem rather odd. No, I'm not from Canada. I've lived in Oklahoma my whole life.
I bet you didn't read that whole incident with the kilometers-per-hour only sign in the middle of nowhere did you?
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)