> We use K's and Megs
> these days, which are not quite M's and Millions.
Yes, but they should be. This problem (that a "kb" is
actually 1024 bytes) annoys me greatly because having
to explain to people that "k" always means 1000 unless
you mean computer bytes confuses them, reinforcing the
belief that the metric system is complicated.
> the calculator and, more to the point,
> calculating scales and
> prepackaged meats, had rendered the arithmetical
> edge irrelevant.
This is odd, since personally I (and most people)
always try to do things in my head if possible (a
calculator isn't always to hand), and the metric
system makes this so much easier. Maybe Americans
don't calculate weights and measures in their heads
because they have to do it in ifp. Also, in the case
of the weighing scales, humans were never able to
weigh things without an aid anyway, so the
"arithmetical edge" was irrelevant.
> But then the world might
> be a cheaper and more efficient place if we
> legislated only black clothing.
A very, very strained analogy.
> How long will
> it be before the London gold fixing is quoted in
> Euros per gram?
He couldn't have picked a worse example. Come 2002,
when the Euro becomes a "real" currency, it'll become
pretty much impossible for any EU country, including
Britain, to avoid it for long. And the troy ounce is
so archaic that it makes me laugh. So, to answer his
question: A couple of years, at the most?
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