Stupidity is not exclusive to Americans! I suspect every country has their percentage of stupid.Eric wrote:That's covered by being American.Jovankat wrote:OH! Well that's ok then. I thought you were just stupid
So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Love Rice
Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."
Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."
Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
If I could go I would have volunteered. Too much stuff this week-end. Are you going? volunteering?
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
{Snicker}Jovankat wrote:They are fun, American Boyfriend and I play fight over word pronunciations all the time. We've had entire Skype conversations that pretty much just involve us saying words back and forth in our own accents while trying to keep a straight face. After a few rounds of ban-air-na/ban-ah-na they both sounds silly.
My American girlfriend and I have similar discussions. She is a linguist, which makes life interesting - since she seems to pick up local dialects after a few hours.
[ramble on fractions and distance conversion]
Question, if base 12 is so awesome - why is it easier to work out 1/10 of a Kilometer vs 1/10 of a Mi2le?? Sure, I can figure it out eventually - I stopped learning the Imperial measurement system when I was 8. So, if there are about 1.6 Kilometers in a mile and a kilometer is 1000 meters - thats 1600 meters, there are about 3.3 feet in a meter so thats about 5280 feet (wait, that seems wrong?) anyhow, 1/10 of a mile (based on my conversions and approximations) is 528 feet. he now quickly goes to Mr.Google and gets a few different answers so, if the interwebs is right 1/10 of a mile is 528 feet? {huh, how in the heck did I get that right?} In Metric 1/10 of a Kilometer is 100 Meters - no calculator required. I guess I find the fractions of Metric easier than the Imperial fractions, primarily due to my minimal of knowledge on the imperial system.
[/ramble on fractions and distance conversion]
Love Rice
Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."
Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."
- theCryptofishist
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
So, if I'm reading this right, our descendants will evolve to have two more fingers. The really smart ones will develop to have opposible thumbs on the other side of their hands!
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
That's only because "truthiness" didn't exist yet. "We hold this truthiness to be self evident"Captain Goddammit wrote:Well shit... there's that "We believe hold these truths to be self evident" crap in the Declaration Of Independence...
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist
Eric ShutterSlut
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
oops
GreyCoyote: "At this rate it wont be long before he is Admiral Fukkit."
Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
For a moment there I thought you said "toothiness".
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Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge?
" I am a controlled substance". Savannah.
" I am a controlled substance". Savannah.
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Well that's because when the "mile" was chosen, there were over 9000 different "miles" to choose from. Every barn in every village had a different "mile". It's not base 12, it's base... I don't know. It's divisible by 12, but only once, which gives you 440, and that... oh hell, I don't know, the Brits picked a weird one for sure. It should probably be 5040 ft, so that it is also a superior highly composite number, though 5280 actually has quite a few factors compared to 1000 (46 compared to 16). That doesn't gain it too much though. Usually at those large distance/numbers it is more useful to use a smaller base and work from that. For example, it's more useful to use 360 degrees on a circle than a bunch of fractions because you want precision. So perhaps keep the best of both worlds and use 60 as a base and make the next larger unit 60x60 = 3600 and so forth. To me it's a "few blocks" or a long distance, because who really bothers converting between a distances like a mile and a foot? Even kilometer and meters, their uses are often in different domains.Rice wrote:Question, if base 12 is so awesome - why is it easier to work out 1/10 of a Kilometer vs 1/10 of a Mi2le?? Sure, I can figure it out eventually - I stopped learning the Imperial measurement system when I was 8.
We should label the "mile" an abomination too. That "240" can be the heretical "s" on the "math"-5040 number of units of measure.
Also, being Canadian, you should feel lucky to not be exposed to all those other weird-ass units the British introduced. "Stones" being 14 pounds? Who the hell chooses something based on the number 14? Its just as bad as 10, but at least 10 is the number of fingers on our hands. "Hundredweight" in the British system being 112lbs instead of 100lbs in the states (as if we even use that anyway).I guess I find the fractions of Metric easier than the Imperial fractions, primarily due to my minimal of knowledge on the imperial system.
[/ramble on fractions and distance conversion]
Many of the US customary/Imperial units are the way they are because of how they're used. Whereas you need a graduated container for measuring out milliliters, cups, quarts, etc. are just large-number fractions of units such as the gallon. It makes it easier to break down quantities for stuff like recipes when there isn't access to higher resolution measuring equipment.
The Europeans also get shortchanged on soft drinks by hiding the reduced amount in the ml measurement. Their drinks are 330ml, whereas in the states, the standard is 12 oz -- 355ml. It's harder to reduce that amount (unlike other things like candybar weights) without notice. Despite the reduced amount of product, it always costs more for such drinks in Europe.
I certainly believe that! It's becoming that way with obesity too.Rice wrote:Stupidity is not exclusive to Americans! I suspect every country has their percentage of stupid.
"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
I've always thought a circle would be much more functional if it were 100 degrees around - the numbers just become easier, no fractions need. Half a circle? 50 degrees. Quarter of a circle? 25 degrees. Hell, you could get rid of "90 degree left" & "90 degree right" angles - it would be a 25 degree angle or a 75 degree angle - the degree tells you which way, without needing another explanation. Simplicity itself.BBadger wrote:For example, it's more useful to use 360 degrees on a circle than a bunch of fractions because you want precision.
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist
Eric ShutterSlut
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Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
- theCryptofishist
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
How many of us remember Floating World?Eric wrote:I've always thought a circle would be much more functional if it were 100 degrees around - the numbers just become easier, no fractions need. Half a circle? 50 degrees. Quarter of a circle? 25 degrees. Hell, you could get rid of "90 degree left" & "90 degree right" angles - it would be a 25 degree angle or a 75 degree angle - the degree tells you which way, without needing another explanation. Simplicity itself.BBadger wrote:For example, it's more useful to use 360 degrees on a circle than a bunch of fractions because you want precision.
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
- BBadger
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
While we're at it, we'll put 0 degrees on the top, like North on a compass, or 00:00 on a clock. Then we'll rotate the X and Y axises so that X now extends "Northward" and Y extends Westward so that we can keep sine/cosine computing correctly.Eric wrote:I've always thought a circle would be much more functional if it were 100 degrees around - the numbers just become easier, no fractions need. Half a circle? 50 degrees. Quarter of a circle? 25 degrees. Hell, you could get rid of "90 degree left" & "90 degree right" angles - it would be a 25 degree angle or a 75 degree angle - the degree tells you which way, without needing another explanation. Simplicity itself.
"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
We could also rearrange the clocks to start at 2 and end at 10.
GreyCoyote: "At this rate it wont be long before he is Admiral Fukkit."
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Sorta like a pendulum? LOVE IT.Captain Goddammit wrote:We could also rearrange the clocks to start at 2 and end at 10.

"To sum up my compassion level, I think we should feed the unwanted animals to the homeless. Or visa versa. Too much attention and money is spent on both."
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Could be worse-try calculating angles in mils: 360 degrees=6400 mills and 1 radian is equal to 1018.59163579 mil.
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
As I understand it, the origin of the mile was 1,000 paces by Roman soldiers. Took more than a few centuries later to standardize that.
And the width of railroad tracks goes back to the butt width of a 2 horse team.
I think most measurements somehow go back to body parts. Must be the size variation that led to all the various systems.
And the width of railroad tracks goes back to the butt width of a 2 horse team.
I think most measurements somehow go back to body parts. Must be the size variation that led to all the various systems.
Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Ugh - Radians... It is amazing how much more complicated angle measurement is on a computer vs say a scientific calculator!! The only programming challenge I ever almost quit was writing a program for Dynamic Balancing of Turbines. Getting freaking accurate conversions to/from degrees to radians was a giant PIA. (ok, I am talking mid-80's computers and software, but still - ouchTexasRick wrote:Could be worse-try calculating angles in mils: 360 degrees=6400 mills and 1 radian is equal to 1018.59163579 mil.

All of the metric conversions are hinging on the base 10 calculation: 1 meter has 100 centimeters, there are 1000 meters in a Kilometer - therefore there are 100,000 centimeters in a Kilometer. Road signs have both meters and kilometers on them (1.5 kilometers to Climax; 500 meters until the Preston exit; speed-trap in 300 meters,etc)
It is another rainy, coolish day here. No real complaints, it isn't -40 - the roads are not icy.
I hope that all the fathers out there have a nice relaxing day. Fatherhood is (or should be) more than that initial spark that started life. We are here to guide and support our children. Help them when we can, watch them fall when we should. Sometimes all we can do is show our kids we love them, no matter how badly they screw up. As a guy who did the single parent thing with two teenage boys, all I can say is "no one died" - they are now self-reliant, capable adults who enjoy life.
The Man burns in 76 days {eep}
Love Rice
Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."
Roach: "I feel like in this day and age, every girl should know how to build a flamethrower."
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Well said Rice!Rice wrote:I hope that all the fathers out there have a nice relaxing day. Fatherhood is (or should be) more than that initial spark that started life. We are here to guide and support our children. Help them when we can, watch them fall when we should. Sometimes all we can do is show our kids we love them, no matter how badly they screw up. As a guy who did the single parent thing with two teenage boys, all I can say is "no one died" - they are now self-reliant, capable adults who enjoy life.
My daughter is 12, I just separated from her Mom in January. So far so good but there are several things you say above that I hope I can remember when things get tough.
Today has been about the relationship, taking her to the amusement park, a movie...
Relaxing - I'm not so sure, but certainly worth it.
-Joel
Collapse first and avoid the rush
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
I remember seeing some extrusions that were being sold, and the maker had the "brilliant" that instead of measuring angles using radians, he would use "tau" as the unit instead of 2pi. So instead of 180 degrees being pi, you'd get 180 degrees = 1/2 tau. What the guy completely missed was the fact that nobody measures angles on extrusions using radians, not because there's a 2pi in there, but because people are using degrees. People want additive angle units for that kind of work, not something where you have to find common denominators to add angles.Rice wrote:Ugh - Radians... It is amazing how much more complicated angle measurement is on a computer vs say a scientific calculator!! The only programming challenge I ever almost quit was writing a program for Dynamic Balancing of Turbines. Getting freaking accurate conversions to/from degrees to radians was a giant PIA. (ok, I am talking mid-80's computers and software, but still - ouch
What was the original topic of this thread about? I can't remember.
"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Tau is sooooo freaking trendy right now in math circles. Once Pi Day went mainstream, they had to find something to set themselves apart.
It has elegance in some situations but not in others and frankly will never catch on.
Personally I celebrate i Day. It never seems to come around, though.
It has elegance in some situations but not in others and frankly will never catch on.
Personally I celebrate i Day. It never seems to come around, though.
Sic Semper Spectatores
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Love that message vc
and maybe it is every day with burners
and maybe it is every day with burners
- theCryptofishist
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Apple has iDay all sewn up, however.
*dashes off to pay her royalties*
*dashes off to pay her royalties*
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
only useful thing about mils is artillery ranging...something 6ft tall shows 2 mils in the scope, it is 3000 ft away; 100ft tall, 4mils, 25000ft awayTexasRick wrote:Could be worse-try calculating angles in mils: 360 degrees=6400 mills and 1 radian is equal to 1018.59163579 mil.
Is 4 shots enuff? no foo-foo drinks; just naked Espresso
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
I'm a little behind...

BBadger, first up you're still trying to pass the issue with maths off as intelligibility when clearly it simply one of taste. I see right though you meat faced man.
Secondly if you're going to talk about uniformity, especially in the US, you should really start with what you people call carbonated sugary drinks. Is it soda? Pop? Soft drink? Or various types of Coke? Maybe try working that one out amongst yourselves before you start in on us. Also our cans are 375ml
And thirdly a base-60 system sounds wonderful, the more factors a number has the more I like it. Sign me up!
And finally if you're going to call us Australians out on anything surely it should be our constant need to shorten EVERYTHING. Postman becomes postie, bottle shop is bottlo, afternoon becomes arvo, barbecue becomes barbie, McDonalds becomes Maccas... Although it is rather efficient.
I'm more of a Boo BooEric wrote:It means you're not the average bear*Jovankat wrote:Well I'm having fun in this thread because of Bbadger so I'm not sure what that means...
[a reference from "Yogi Bear", an American cartoon]

BBadger, first up you're still trying to pass the issue with maths off as intelligibility when clearly it simply one of taste. I see right though you meat faced man.
Secondly if you're going to talk about uniformity, especially in the US, you should really start with what you people call carbonated sugary drinks. Is it soda? Pop? Soft drink? Or various types of Coke? Maybe try working that one out amongst yourselves before you start in on us. Also our cans are 375ml

And thirdly a base-60 system sounds wonderful, the more factors a number has the more I like it. Sign me up!
And finally if you're going to call us Australians out on anything surely it should be our constant need to shorten EVERYTHING. Postman becomes postie, bottle shop is bottlo, afternoon becomes arvo, barbecue becomes barbie, McDonalds becomes Maccas... Although it is rather efficient.
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Really, you have shops that sell bottles? Is there much demand for that?Jovankat wrote:
bottle shop is bottlo.
Every aspect of life is education. Even if you don't immediately grasp the lesson. robbidobbs
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Beat me to it. That's what I get for sleeping until almost noon.Roundabout wrote:Really, you have shops that sell bottles? Is there much demand for that?Jovankat wrote:
bottle shop is bottlo.
It's a camping trip in the desert, not the redemption of the fallen world - Cryptofishist
Eric ShutterSlut
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Eric ShutterSlut
Former Ass't Editor & columnist, BRC Weekly
- AntiM
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Coming to a network near you: Blotto at the Bottlo.
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
Oh right, we call liquor stores bottles shops. Then we shorten that to bottlo
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- BBadger
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
But those are synonyms. Also, I wasn't talking about uniformity, because that would imply that there are different choices that could be valid and that you just want to choose one for efficiency sakes. No, I'm declaring/affirming that "maths" is just outright wrong.Jovankat wrote:Secondly if you're going to talk about uniformity, especially in the US, you should really start with what you people call carbonated sugary drinks. Is it soda? Pop? Soft drink? Or various types of Coke? Maybe try working that one out amongst yourselves before you start in on us. Also our cans are 375ml
Oh another Britishism that needs to go: "hots up" instead of "heats up."
"The essence of tyranny is not iron law. It is capricious law." -- Christopher Hitchens
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- GreyCoyote
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
BBadger, we have to agree we disagree on this one.BBadger wrote:
Oh another Britishism that needs to go: "hots up" instead of "heats up."

Hots Up is what Barbie does in the dressing room at Fredricks of Hollywood.
Heats Up is what happens under Kens kilt when he sees the end effect.
Or something like that...

"To sum up my compassion level, I think we should feed the unwanted animals to the homeless. Or visa versa. Too much attention and money is spent on both."
(A Beautiful Mind)
(A Beautiful Mind)
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Re: So why do you volunteer for the BMorg?
when confounded move on to sex.?
but GC, they were discussing patriotic beliefs
but GC, they were discussing patriotic beliefs