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Absolutely common in Italy as well. If someone doesn't like this convention... well, this is more or less what we think when we meet articles measuring weight i

Absolutely common in Italy as well. If someone doesn't like this convention... well, this is more or less what we think when we meet articles measuring weight in pounds or height in feet ;-)

Koshkin 9y ago
While nobody in their right mind would use Roman numerals to teach or do arithmetic today, pounds and feet remain just as convenient as kilograms and meters. Also, the power-of-ten based metric system is not very efficient when it comes to doing calculations on computers anyway.
- cgmg 9y ago
  > pounds and feet remain just as convenient as kilograms and meters You're probably American and therefore accustomed to it. If it really is 'just as convenient', why is metric the standard in scientific practice? > the power-of-ten based metric system is not very efficient when it comes to doing calculations on computers anyway It's more efficient than the Imperial system.
  - Koshkin 9y ago
    > why is metric the standard in scientific practice? It is merely a historic artifact that became a tradition. With the advent of computers it has lost its objective significance as a "preferred system". (BTW I find all these "kilo-nano" prefixes to be rather ugly...)
    - cgmg 9y ago
      Do you really think a system where 1 mile = 1760 yards = 5280 feet = 63360 inches is 'just as convenient'? I think you're not being honest. The metric system is standard in scientific practice because it is more sane than the imperial system.
- pathsjs 9y ago
  My comment was a little tongue in cheek, but it seems I was not able to convey this. Anyway, roman numerals do just fine to number centuries, which are rarely used to do computations. My point is that it all amounts to familiarity, and while people complain about someone mentioning the XIXth century, apparently everyone forgets that someone across the ocean may have the same difficulties hearing about someone being 6ft tall.

Absolutely common in Italy as well. If someone doesn't like this convention... well, this is more or less what we think when we meet articles measuring weight in pounds or height in feet ;-)

Koshkin 9y ago

While nobody in their right mind would use Roman numerals to teach or do arithmetic today, pounds and feet remain just as convenient as kilograms and meters. Also, the power-of-ten based metric system is not very efficient when it comes to doing calculations on computers anyway.

cgmg 9y ago
> pounds and feet remain just as convenient as kilograms and meters You're probably American and therefore accustomed to it. If it really is 'just as convenient', why is metric the standard in scientific practice? > the power-of-ten based metric system is not very efficient when it comes to doing calculations on computers anyway It's more efficient than the Imperial system.
- Koshkin 9y ago
  > why is metric the standard in scientific practice? It is merely a historic artifact that became a tradition. With the advent of computers it has lost its objective significance as a "preferred system". (BTW I find all these "kilo-nano" prefixes to be rather ugly...)
  - cgmg 9y ago
    Do you really think a system where 1 mile = 1760 yards = 5280 feet = 63360 inches is 'just as convenient'? I think you're not being honest. The metric system is standard in scientific practice because it is more sane than the imperial system.
pathsjs 9y ago
My comment was a little tongue in cheek, but it seems I was not able to convey this. Anyway, roman numerals do just fine to number centuries, which are rarely used to do computations. My point is that it all amounts to familiarity, and while people complain about someone mentioning the XIXth century, apparently everyone forgets that someone across the ocean may have the same difficulties hearing about someone being 6ft tall.