Bit idea: Have a struggle session about something that nobody will get banned for (hexbear.net)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by Infamousblt@hexbear.net to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net

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If even one of you gets a post removed during one of these bit struggle sessions you failed the bit and should feel immense shame. Doing a bit successfully is Praxis.

Find things to struggle about that doesn't get out of hand. It's important to let off some steam now and again but do it in a way that doesn't harm your fellow comrades or add work to the mod team.

I'll start: Some beans are better than other beans. Like kidney beans are bad nasty icky beans but black beans are actually amazing.

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[-] TraumaDumpling@hexbear.net 12 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

pretty much every single profession that needs to measure things (i.e. carpenters, construction, engineering, soldiers, etc.) uses metric. this customary measurement thing is a 4chan meme with no basis in reality and betrays a serious lack of participation in or knowledge of the daily realities of actual physical work or science. the USSR used metric. China uses metric. Cuba uses metric. The only countries which do not use metric are Liberia, Myanmar, and the USA. the 'foot' is not actually as long as most people's foot, it is defined the same arbitrary way as metric lengths, via standardization to a specified measure (often a specific amount and configuration of some material in some specific conditions) with an international institutions decree.

[-] Dolores@hexbear.net 6 points 10 months ago

actually, a "foot" and other imperial measurements are now defined by metric measurements, so they don't have to haul around their stupid metal bars in specific temperatures to check xi-lib-tears

[-] edge@hexbear.net 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

pretty much every single profession that needs to measure things (i.e. carpenters, construction, engineering) uses metric

I don't know what country you're talking about, because all three of those definitely use customary in the US.

[-] TraumaDumpling@hexbear.net 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

https://www.quora.com/Is-the-US-imperial-system-of-measurement-better-than-the-metric-system

In reality, any American companies and industries that depend on international trade are already metric (try to fix most recently made American cars or appliances without metric tools). The US military operates more and more based on metric because they have to be interoperable with all their allies. The medical field and the pharmaceutical industries both operate in metric.

https://www.quora.com/What-professionals-in-the-US-only-use-the-metric-system-in-their-work

Well, there are some that use primarily metric but not exclusively metric.

For example, automotive engineers have been designing car engines and parts since the 80’s or so all in metric. But they still need to use some USCS measures. People still want to see specs like MPG and 0–60 mph times and torque in Ft-pounds.

Medical professionals use metric for all measurements and lab tests, and particularly prescription strengths - liquid volumes in ml and ingredient masses in mg. But in a throwback, they still take height and weight in lbs and ft-inches because the customer recognizes those numbers.

Most technical work and scientific research is done with metric. But some things are very resistant. Many electrical engineering standard components are traditionally in inch measures, and some still continue, so while circuits are measured in metric volts amps coulombs, PCB layout and packaging (std. 19″ racks) for example is a mix of both.

Aviation is still done in USCS worldwide, because aviation originated extensively in the USA and English is the defacto language of pilots.

(note: apologies for the source but my only other option was :reddit-logo: )

[-] edge@hexbear.net 3 points 10 months ago

carpenters

Floors are measured in square inches.

construction

Building materials are in customary, screws and nails are in customary. Room dimensions are feet, living area is sq ft, roofs are “squares” which is just 100 sq ft. Doors, windows, stairs, all ft and inches. Piping is in inches. Just about every aspect of construction uses customary.

engineers

Some of the above apply to various engineering disciplines. Streets are measured in feet, land area is acres.

The US is dominated by customary. Scientific and medical are of course in metric, but I never said otherwise,

[-] TraumaDumpling@hexbear.net 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

even if you are right about this specific point, metric is still far superior. its not like every other country beyond america, liberia, and myanmar have exclusively shit architecture because their poor capenters and construction workers can't use US customary units. it clearly works, at worst it is an arbitrary and equally useful system of units, and at best it is far superior for international communications, mass production, conversions, scaling, etc.

every other country in the world has figured this shit out lmao, this reactionary take against the metric system is pure 4chan anti-intellectualism and nothing more.