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[Iceblaster]

I think he means it's easier to estimate at a glance.

I easily tell you my shoe is about a foot by glance, but if one told me to estimate it in centimeters, I'd be lost without a ruler.

[Helgoland]

#1 was when we were studying dimensional analysis. I argued that the English system is better than metric for everyday use, because it is based on body parts. She responded with the standard arguments. Later that day, she denied the superiority of the binary system, even though I was defending it using the exact same arguments she had earlier.

In her defence, that's not even the slightest bit stupid - measurements being based on body parts is irrelevant, because body parts vary in size, so the only advantage to the english system is that people in certain areas already use it, which hardly offsets the tremendous gains of having a unified wroldwide system. Binary numbers, however, are inferoir to base ten (or base 8, 11, or any other number in that region) because their information density is too low - while a computer can only have ON and OFF, a person can write '4' with the same amount of effort as a '1'.

FAKEEDIT: You get used to that sort of thing. Also, your foot most probably is much longer than one ft.

[Graknorke]

I think he means it's easier to estimate at a glance.

I easily tell you my shoe is about a foot by glance, but if one told me to estimate it in centimeters, I'd be lost without a ruler.

That's probably because you don't use metric much.
If you were to show me a thing I would have no idea its approximate length in imperial units, while I could give it to the nearest 5 cm.

[Iceblaster]

I think he means it's easier to estimate at a glance.

I easily tell you my shoe is about a foot by glance, but if one told me to estimate it in centimeters, I'd be lost without a ruler.

That's probably because you don't use metric much.
If you were to show me a thing I would have no idea its approximate length in imperial units, while I could give it to the nearest 5 cm.

Eeeeeh

Yeah, guess that does make sense. I retract my previous statement.

[tahujdt]

#1 was when we were studying dimensional analysis. I argued that the English system is better than metric for everyday use, because it is based on body parts. She responded with the standard arguments. Later that day, she denied the superiority of the binary system, even though I was defending it using the exact same arguments she had earlier.

In her defence, that's not even the slightest bit stupid - measurements being based on body parts is irrelevant, because body parts vary in size, so the only advantage to the english system is that people in certain areas already use it, which hardly offsets the tremendous gains of having a unified wroldwide system. Binary numbers, however, are inferoir to base ten (or base 8, 11, or any other number in that region) because their information density is too low - while a computer can only have ON and OFF, a person can write '4' with the same amount of effort as a '1'.

FAKEEDIT: You get used to that sort of thing. Also, your foot most probably is much longer than one ft.

My point was that she ignored the exact same arguments she used to try and convince me. Personally, speaking as someone who trained himself to do math in binary, it's not that difficult and the information density is not much of an issue. I read an article by Fred Pohl which suggested the idea. Pohl went so far as to suggest a whole new system of numbers.

[10ebbor10]

Problem is, that
a) Binary doesn't converse well with any currently existant unit system. (SI has been designed around powers of ten)
b) Human short term memory is pretty limited to about 7 different items.
c) What's the point. No real benefit, as opposed to standardization inherent in SI, which prevented a lot of stupid accidents.

[SealyStar]

#1 was when we were studying dimensional analysis. I argued that the English system is better than metric for everyday use, because it is based on body parts. She responded with the standard arguments. Later that day, she denied the superiority of the binary system, even though I was defending it using the exact same arguments she had earlier.

In her defence, that's not even the slightest bit stupid - measurements being based on body parts is irrelevant, because body parts vary in size, so the only advantage to the english system is that people in certain areas already use it, which hardly offsets the tremendous gains of having a unified wroldwide system. Binary numbers, however, are inferoir to base ten (or base 8, 11, or any other number in that region) because their information density is too low - while a computer can only have ON and OFF, a person can write '4' with the same amount of effort as a '1'.

FAKEEDIT: You get used to that sort of thing. Also, your foot most probably is much longer than one ft.

My foot is only 11 inches, but then I have small feet.

[Dutchling]

#1 was when we were studying dimensional analysis. I argued that the English system is better than metric for everyday use, because it is based on body parts. She responded with the standard arguments. Later that day, she denied the superiority of the binary system, even though I was defending it using the exact same arguments she had earlier.

In her defence, that's not even the slightest bit stupid - measurements being based on body parts is irrelevant, because body parts vary in size, so the only advantage to the english system is that people in certain areas already use it, which hardly offsets the tremendous gains of having a unified wroldwide system. Binary numbers, however, are inferoir to base ten (or base 8, 11, or any other number in that region) because their information density is too low - while a computer can only have ON and OFF, a person can write '4' with the same amount of effort as a '1'.

FAKEEDIT: You get used to that sort of thing. Also, your foot most probably is much longer than one ft.

My foot is only 11 inches, but then I have small feet.

I am just going to assume 11 inches equals 1 foot and 1 inch.

[IronTomato]

There's 12 inches in a foot, so his foot is still simply 11 inches.

[Sensei]

I am just going to assume 11 inches equals 1 foot and 1 inch.

Heh, you're assuming the english system makes sense.

[Hanslanda]

I am just going to assume 11 inches equals 1 foot and 1 inch.

Heh, you're assuming the english system makes sense.

This. 

And no, a full foot long foot is actually really big. Most people's feet are actually closer to 7-10 inches long. My feet, and I have BIG feet, are only 10 inches long. Mind you, I'm 6'1", or like 180 centimeters or something. I'm not a small person.

[Graknorke]

the english system

Is this a thing that people call Imperial Units?
Because we don't really use those any more apart from in cars. It's only really the US that clings onto using Imperial Units as the general system of measurement. Everyone else has converted over to loving the multiples of ten.

[Octobomb]

The English do not make much sense - the language , the measurements, the fact we managed to conquer half the world despite being a tiny island, the fact the American media thinks we all speak with received pronunciation or cockney accents, the fascination with the American elections... and that's just the tip of the iceberg. And I wouldn't want it any other way. And yes, despite using the good old Imperial system often, base ten is so much easier!

[sjm9876]

The English do not make much sense - the language , the measurements, the fact we managed to conquer half the world despite being a tiny island, the fact the American media thinks we all speak with received pronunciation or cockney accents, the fascination with the American elections... and that's just the tip of the iceberg. And I wouldn't want it any other way. And yes, despite using the good old Imperial system often, base ten is so much easier!

Don't forget our propensity to conquer countries by having a flag.

Explorer appears.
 'You can't claim this land, 6 million people live here.'
 'Yes, but do you have a flag?'
 'Ummm..... no?'
 'So there.'
 Explorer plants flag. Later uses entire country as prison / tea plantation.

[Darvi]

You know how it is. You either have tea with the vicar, or YOU DIE!

(I'd rather take death over cake, but chicken's fine too)