Lincoln Chafee: The US should convert to metric units

[Bronzeage]

We need the right kind of public campaign to appeal to the public.

 

[barbos]

But US is not base 12. And I see no utility in base 12 anyway. I can just say 1/3 of a meter or 1/5 of a meter
or 0.2 meters.

I'm aware that the US would never switch to base 12

and that makes you sad?

if it won't even completely adopt a metric system. The reason I brought this up was to remind the metric advocates not to pat themselves too much on the back for their preferred system. It's not the best we can do.

But base 12 is not better than base 10.

 

[Nexus]

But base 12 is not better than base 10.

Of course it is and I given a few reasons why in thread. You can search Dozenal society if you want more information.

 

[barbos]

But base 12 is not better than base 10.

Of course it is and I given a few reasons why in thread. You can search Dozenal society if you want more information.

No, it's not better

 

[Jayjay]

If base 10 is so great, why not change our clocks to it? Those minutes and seconds are just way too confusing, let's just split the day into decimal fractions like Microsoft Excel. Yet another pointless conversion problem resolved!

(Or maybe, the best system is whatever we happen to use for given purpose because learning new arbitrary way of doing things is a waste of resources.)

 

[Nexus]

No, it's not better

Is there any particular reason you're not backing up your assertions?

 

[Juma]

No, it's not better

Is there any particular reason you're not backing up your assertions?

Because he is right.

 

[Jokodo]

You have never articulated why binary is a better system for people to use. The fact its convenient for machines is irrelevant since machines don't have preferences.

How high can you comfortably count on your fingers?

1023 in binary.<snip>

I don't know about you, but I can't, certainly not comfortably, extend the ring finger without also extending the little one (unless I hold the latter back with the thumb).
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-anatomically_impossible-10-anatomically_impossible-12-anatomically_impossible-14-15...

 

[Loren Pechtel]

How high can you comfortably count on your fingers?

1023 in binary.<snip>

I don't know about you, but I can't, certainly not comfortably, extend the ring finger without also extending the little one (unless I hold the latter back with the thumb).
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-anatomically_impossible-10-anatomically_impossible-12-anatomically_impossible-14-15...

I can't, either--but you don't need to. All you need is two different finger states, you don't need anything like full extension. I have no problem with a 60 degree bend vs a 120 degree bend. Nothing more than the difference between hitting QWERTY keys and ZXCVB keys.

 

[Nexus]

Because he is right.

You should try a remedial course in logic and argumentation and you would learn that assertions without reasoning is invalid. Its possible you're both trolling and if you feel that's a productive use of your time feel free to continue but remember it doesn't add merit to your position.

 

[barbos]

If base 10 is so great, why not change our clocks to it? Those minutes and seconds are just way too confusing, let's just split the day into decimal fractions like Microsoft Excel. Yet another pointless conversion problem resolved!

Day is not part of the metric system, second is.

(Or maybe, the best system is whatever we happen to use for given purpose because learning new arbitrary way of doing things is a waste of resources.)

Yes, best system is metric.

 

[Juma]

Because he is right.

You should try a remedial course in logic and argumentation and you would learn that assertions without reasoning is invalid. Its possible you're both trolling and if you feel that's a productive use of your time feel free to continue but remember it doesn't add merit to your position.

That I responded to a post without support with another post without support doesnt wave the tiniest irony flag to you?

 

[Angra Mainyu]

How high can you comfortably count on your fingers?

1023 in binary.<snip>

I don't know about you, but I can't, certainly not comfortably, extend the ring finger without also extending the little one (unless I hold the latter back with the thumb).
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-anatomically_impossible-10-anatomically_impossible-12-anatomically_impossible-14-15...

But you can extend the little one without extending the ring finger - at least, I have no trouble with that .

 

[fromderinside]

I don't know about you, but I can't, certainly not comfortably, extend the ring finger without also extending the little one (unless I hold the latter back with the thumb).
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-anatomically_impossible-10-anatomically_impossible-12-anatomically_impossible-14-15...

But you can extend the little one without extending the ring finger - at least, I have no trouble with that .

Learn to play the piano.

 

[Angra Mainyu]

But you can extend the little one without extending the ring finger - at least, I have no trouble with that .

Learn to play the piano.

I'm not particularly interested in learning how to play the piano, and I doubt I could even if I tried. But I'm not sure what your point is. Could you elaborate, please?
What I'm saying is that if you want to use your fingers to count, you don't need to extend the ring finger before the little one, and extending the little one without extending the ring finger is no problem. If that's different in the context of playing the piano, that's still not an issue when it comes to counting.

 

[fromderinside]

Finger, toe dexterity for that matter, are subject to the benefits of training. You can do it. Just exercise them a bit.

 

[Angra Mainyu]

Finger, toe dexterity for that matter, are subject to the benefits of training. You can do it. Just exercise them a bit.

You mean, with training one can extend the ring finger without extending the little one, or that I can learn to play the piano?
If it's the former, maybe so, but even then, it wouldn't be easy, so it would still be a difficulty for most people if they want to count with their fingers extending them like that. But the variant I suggested avoids the matter, and needs no training.
If it's the latter, I'm not going to argue the point.

 

[Jokodo]

I don't know about you, but I can't, certainly not comfortably, extend the ring finger without also extending the little one (unless I hold the latter back with the thumb).
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-anatomically_impossible-10-anatomically_impossible-12-anatomically_impossible-14-15...

But you can extend the little one without extending the ring finger - at least, I have no trouble with that .

Yes, I can, but in binary, an extended ring has a different meaning (8) from an extended little finger (16).

 

[Angra Mainyu]

But you can extend the little one without extending the ring finger - at least, I have no trouble with that .

Yes, I can, but in binary, an extended ring has a different meaning (8) from an extended little finger (16).

I see. You can change that convention, but you're still stuck with a problem. Still, it's not a big problem. How about you just don't count the ring finger at all, and you count with the others?

That aside, binary still has the problem that it may well be difficult for most people, even if they use their hands. I'm not sure practice would make it as easy as decimal.

 

[fromderinside]

Finger, toe dexterity for that matter, are subject to the benefits of training. You can do it. Just exercise them a bit.

You mean, with training one can extend the ring finger without extending the little one, or that I can learn to play the piano?
If it's the former, maybe so, but even then, it wouldn't be easy, so it would still be a difficulty for most people if they want to count with their fingers extending them like that. But the variant I suggested avoids the matter, and needs no training.
If it's the latter, I'm not going to argue the point.

Training, as small magic people have shown, results in convincing ease of movement for those who practice the discipline. You considered playing the piano with your toes?

Base two complicates counting? Really?