So when did the pound get decimalized?

[fissure_man]

The decimal system is pretty much ubiquitous in modern human (not machine) numeracy regardless of measurement units.  Familiarity aside, there’s no benefit to splitting measurements into combinations of archaic, fractional units (lb/oz, ft/in, etc).  The decimal system with a single unit already enables whatever precision you need.

 

“4 lb 8 oz” requires you to know the meaning of “lb” and “oz,” 4.5 lb requires only one unit.  The same could be applied to metric units (e.g. 4.5 kg vs. 4 kg, 500 g) but no one would do this because it’s… dumb.

 

If any kind of computation is required, sticking to decimals or fractions with a single unit makes things much simpler and less error-prone (“I caught 18 bass for a total weight of 34 lb, 4 oz, 15 drams – what was the average weight per bass?”).

 

Somewhat off-topic, but the reason the metric system and SI units ARE BETTER than the imperial system is because they are complementary to our deeply entrenched decimal numeracy.  Converting between units is as simple as shifting the decimal point, and units of mass/length/force/energy/power/pressure/etc are consistently scalable by the same set of prefixes.  The imperial system is a hot mess in comparison, clung to by old fuddy-duddies unwilling to adjust their ways for the benefit of society.

 

[MIbassyaker]

8 hours ago, fissure_man said:

The decimal system is pretty much ubiquitous in modern human (not machine) numeracy regardless of measurement units.  Familiarity aside, there’s no benefit to splitting measurements into combinations of archaic, fractional units (lb/oz, ft/in, etc).  The decimal system with a single unit already enables whatever precision you need.

 

“4 lb 8 oz” requires you to know the meaning of “lb” and “oz,” 4.5 lb requires only one unit.  The same could be applied to metric units (e.g. 4.5 kg vs. 4 kg, 500 g) but no one would do this because it’s… dumb.

 

If any kind of computation is required, sticking to decimals or fractions with a single unit makes things much simpler and less error-prone (“I caught 18 bass for a total weight of 34 lb, 4 oz, 15 drams – what was the average weight per bass?”).

 

Somewhat off-topic, but the reason the metric system and SI units ARE BETTER than the imperial system is because they are complementary to our deeply entrenched decimal numeracy.  Converting between units is as simple as shifting the decimal point, and units of mass/length/force/energy/power/pressure/etc are consistently scalable by the same set of prefixes.  The imperial system is a hot mess in comparison, clung to by old fuddy-duddies unwilling to adjust their ways for the benefit of society.

 

 

I endorse this rant.