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New "Denominators are Sneaky" section
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dpilafian committed Jul 27, 2024
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Expand Up @@ -142,6 +142,32 @@ <h2>The Proof Is in the Pudding</h2>
</p>
</section>

<section>
<h2>Denominators are Sneaky</h2>
<p>
Doing basic math operations with fractional inches, such as
<code>(11 3/4" + 5 7/8") &times; 2</code>,
is cumbersome, but denominators can be quite sneaky even if you're not doing math
operations.&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
How many times have you made a measurement like <code>9 5/16"</code> and then gone to make
the cut only to have to return to measure again because you forgot if it was
<code>9 5/8"</code> or <code>9 5/16"</code>?&nbsp;
</p>
<figure>
<img src=reddit-32nd-64th.png alt=reddit data-license=fair-use>
<figcaption>Even Redditors cannot agree on which imperial denominator to use</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>
Because of the small extra cognitive load dedicated to remembering the denominators,
you can hold fewer imperial measurements in your head simultaneously than metric
measurements.&nbsp;
Going metric means you have to write down measurements less often saving you a few seconds
here and there so you're a bit more productive.&nbsp;
</p>
</section>

<section>
<h2><img src=google-maps-icon.png alt=maps data-license=fair-use>Google Maps</h2>
<figure>
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5 changes: 5 additions & 0 deletions src/website/article/metric-poetry/index.html
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Expand Up @@ -94,6 +94,11 @@ <h2>Notes</h2>
<section id=inspiration>
<h2>Kays of Inspiration</h2>
<div>
<blockquote>
"Before you criticize someone, walk a kay in their shoes.&nbsp;
Then you're a kay away and you got their shoes."
<cite>Johnny Metric Carson</cite>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
"Your kayage may vary."
<cite>U.S. EPA after metrication</cite>
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Expand Up @@ -26,28 +26,40 @@ <h2>{{articleTitle}}</h2>

<section id=happening>
<h2>It's Already Happening</h2>
<figure>
<img src={{heroImage}} alt=2d-radar data-author=nasa data-license=public-domain>
<figcaption>{{heroCaption}}</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>
If NASA made a deliberate decision today to give a press release using metric units the
misguided imperial zealots would lose their collective minds.&nbsp;
However, NASA scientists being interviewed on podcasts will often naturally use metric
units and the imperial zealots don't come after them with pitchforks.&nbsp;
Likewise, when a private space company, such as SpaceX, makes videos for the public in
metric it's hard for there to be any significant backlash because they are a private
metric it's hard for there to be any significant backlash because SpaceX is a private
company.&nbsp;
</p>
<figure>
<img src={{heroImage}} alt=2d-radar data-author=nasa data-license=public-domain>
<figcaption>{{heroCaption}}</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>
It won't be long before NASA can publish a press release in metric and nobody will have a
psychological meltdown.&nbsp;
We see a similar effect in online shopping.&nbsp;
</p>
</section>

<section id=consumer>
<h2>Consumer Space</h2>
<p>
Consumer goods in the U.S. are mostly imported, and online retailers rarely do proper
conversions to fractional inches for product information.&nbsp;
Converting units takes effort.&nbsp;
</p>
<figure class=floating-card>
<img src=led-bulb-with-decimal-inches.jpg alt=led data-author=amazon data-license=fair-use>
<figcaption>
Customary fractional inches are just too much effort
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>
Retailers are lazy so they convert product information to decimal inches or sometimes
don't even bother.&nbsp;
Who are the imperial zealots going to complain to?&nbsp;
Expand All @@ -71,18 +83,6 @@ <h2>It's Already Happening</h2>
</p>
</section>

<section id=race>
<h2>Race to the Bottom</h2>
<p>
Australia and New Zealand did metrication correctly by switching all at once from the top
down.&nbsp;
Here in America we are going to do it the hard way from the bottom up, but it will
happen.&nbsp;
<b>Metric is more efficient and sensible than imperial, so it's ironic that metrication
in America will be a side-effect of the world-wide race to the bottom.</b>&nbsp;
</p>
</section>

<section id=gradually>
<h2>Cem by Cem</h2>
<p>
Expand All @@ -97,6 +97,23 @@ <h2>Cem by Cem</h2>
However, the more common metric becomes, the easier it will be to metricate challenging
domains like aviation.&nbsp;
</p>
</section>

<section id=race>
<h2>Race to the Bottom</h2>
<p>
Australia and New Zealand did metrication correctly by switching all at once from the top
down.&nbsp;
Here in America we are going to do it the hard way from the bottom up, but it will
happen.&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
<b>Metric is more efficient and sensible than imperial, so it's ironic that metrication
in America will be a side-effect of the world-wide race to the bottom.</b>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
There is no "if" in metrication &mdash; only "when".
</p>
<figure>πŸ“ˆ πŸ“ˆ πŸ“ˆ</figure>
</section>

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1 change: 1 addition & 0 deletions src/website/css/figures.less
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Expand Up @@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ section {
margin-bottom: 50px;
}
img {
max-height: 400px;
background-color: white;
border: 3px solid silver;
border-radius: 20px;
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