3 ms·

> F is a much better unit than C for everyday use. People say this, and it confuses me. Basically the only difference between the two is the absolute numbers

by NeoTar 2y ago

> F is a much better unit than C for everyday use. People say this, and it confuses me. Basically the only difference between the two is the absolute numbers and the resolution. Regarding resolution, for me the difference between, say 22 C and 23 C isn’t consistently noticeable - it depends on what I’m wearing, my recent activity level, humidity, etc. having a finer resolution - i.e. between 72 and 73 F isn’t that useful. That is to say, I’d change my plans if it were say 8 C outside instead of 18 C, but I wouldn’t if it were 17 instead of 18. Regarding absolute numbers - sure with Fahrenheit you don’t need to use negative numbers as much, but apparently you still need to across much of the US, and dealing with negative numbers is… fine? Having generally smaller numbers (i.e. most of Earth has natural temperatures of - 40 to +40) is probably better? And having that obvious distinction of when water freezes makes some sense maybe? I honestly don’t thing either is particularly better for everyday use, it’s just that a lot of people are habituated to one or the other.

hanniabu 2y ago
F is nice b/c it's pretty much on a 0-100 scale. 0 is really cold, 100 is really hot. Anything below 0 or about 100 is pretty much death without proper care.
- abdullahkhalids 2y ago
  The corresponding range for C is -50C to +50C which covers virtually all human experience. 20-25C is typical indoor comfortable temperature. And veering from it either above or below makes things uncomfortable. 0C is freezing, below which hypothermia risk increases rapidly. All nice whole round numbers.
- nemo44x 2y ago
  And each block of 10 degrees has a mood and a feel. And easy to say. - “It’s going to be in the 70’s”. - “Nice!” The precision is good too. A nice range in each block. And block crossover is fine. - “Might hit the low 70’s later” - “OK I’ll bring a packable hoodie.”
dmoy 2y ago
> but apparently you still need to across much of the US, and dealing with negative numbers is… fine? Honestly, you don't really need to, at least on a day-to-day basis. I grew up somewhere where it got <0F every year for like a week at a time. You will just colloquially refer to it as "below zero" which roughly translates into "yea f** that, we aren't going outside". The only time I ever really remembered distinguishing between degrees below 0 was midwestern trash talk between e.g. IL, WI, MN, and ND. (If I remember correctly, ND wins on wind chill)

by NeoTar 2y ago

hanniabu 2y ago

F is nice b/c it's pretty much on a 0-100 scale. 0 is really cold, 100 is really hot. Anything below 0 or about 100 is pretty much death without proper care.

abdullahkhalids 2y ago
The corresponding range for C is -50C to +50C which covers virtually all human experience. 20-25C is typical indoor comfortable temperature. And veering from it either above or below makes things uncomfortable. 0C is freezing, below which hypothermia risk increases rapidly. All nice whole round numbers.
nemo44x 2y ago
And each block of 10 degrees has a mood and a feel. And easy to say. - “It’s going to be in the 70’s”. - “Nice!” The precision is good too. A nice range in each block. And block crossover is fine. - “Might hit the low 70’s later” - “OK I’ll bring a packable hoodie.”

dmoy 2y ago

> but apparently you still need to across much of the US, and dealing with negative numbers is… fine? Honestly, you don't really need to, at least on a day-to-day basis. I grew up somewhere where it got <0F every year for like a week at a time. You will just colloquially refer to it as "below zero" which roughly translates into "yea f** that, we aren't going outside". The only time I ever really remembered distinguishing between degrees below 0 was midwestern trash talk between e.g. IL, WI, MN, and ND. (If I remember correctly, ND wins on wind chill)