@LukeAlmighty @a7 @matrix I thought a meter was just the length of some rod in Paris?

@Jens_Rasmussen @matrix @a7
Nah, that would be a standardized meter.

BTW, the definition of foot makes it so much funnier

@LukeAlmighty @matrix @a7 >that would be a standardized meter
Isn't that what the meter is?

@Jens_Rasmussen @matrix @a7
No.
Meter is the thing, that scientists defined using physics, and should therefore be infinitely precise.

The rod in Paris is an aproximation, that is copied by other aproximations, each adding a bigger error to the estimation.

@Jens_Rasmussen @LukeAlmighty @matrix @a7 was, now it's based on the speed of light

@grey @matrix @Jens_Rasmussen @a7
Btw, only a physicist could redefine the length of a meter, and still make it 1/299792458 instead of 1/300 000 000

@grey @Jens_Rasmussen @LukeAlmighty @matrix @a7 >demonic metric system is retarded and useless again
>"UHHHHHHHH THE METER IS BASED OFF OF THE SPEED OF LIGHT WHICH WE MEASURE IN METERS OVER TIME"

I'm not seeing the problem here. Assuming there's a reliable way to measure time then the meter can be fixed.

@Eiregoat @LukeAlmighty @matrix @Jens_Rasmussen @a7 @grey What's a reliable way to measure the speed of light? Is the distance light travels in a nanosecond something you can grasp intuitively?

The metric system isn't meant to be intuitive, it's meant to be consistant. I gather they do it with atomic clocks and lasers.

The imperial system is more intuitive but sometimes measuring things with the sovereign's foot or a barleycorn just isn't accurate enough.

@Eiregoat @LukeAlmighty @matrix @Jens_Rasmussen @a7 @grey The things that it's not precise enough for are things Americans use metric for anyways (medicine, chemistry, physics). Imperial is better for common, everyday use, and that's all most people need to know.

I use both, but honestly the "intuitive" thing is pretty much the same for both.

For example, my pinky is a centimeter across, whereas my thumb is an inch. My waist is a meter off the ground whereas a yard is the length of my belt. A kilometer is the distance from my house to the train station etc.

No matter what units people use there'll always be some relatable measurement they'll relate them to.

I like that. It's like 12" is the length of my foot.

@LukeAlmighty @a7 @matrix @MeBigbrain @LukeAlmighty @matrix @a7 @Eiregoat @grey
>Foot isn't the length of a foot at all
>What the fuck is even an "ounce"
Imperial is retarded in so many more ways.

@Jens_Rasmussen @MeBigbrain @LukeAlmighty @matrix @a7 @Eiregoat @grey Naw. Imperial is rooted in day to day measurements that isn't self referential. How big is a centimeter? Its 10mm. Well, how big is a mm? 1/10 of a cm. Now, how big is an inch? An inch is based on the size of of the tip of a man's thumb. A foot is 12 inches because 12 can be divided evenly manh ways. An acre is about the amount of land an ox can plough In a single day. Etc etc.

@AlbinoMutant @LukeAlmighty @matrix @a7 @Eiregoat @MeBigbrain @grey "Day to day measurements" don't make sense if they aren't relatable.
A foot not being the same length as a foot for many people doesn't make sense. How much an ox can plough in a day hasn't made sense in almost a century. An "ounce" doesn't mean anyting meaningful. One fahrenheit? No one knows what even is.
At least metric is internally consistent.

@1967GTO @matrix we just buy 500g of butter instead :)