this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2024
167 points (96.1% liked)

Showerthoughts

29728 readers
1199 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    1. NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    2. Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    3. Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct-----

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
vatlark@lemmy.world
forkball@lemmy.world
quinten@lemmy.world
Thekingoflorda@lemmy.world
167
why don't people say mega meters (lemmy.world)
submitted 8 months ago by joel_feila@lemmy.world to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
75 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

How come people say 5,000 km and not 5 Mm?
why not just say millions of meters or Mega meters?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] morhp@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 8 months ago

When measuring lengths and time, metric units are super useful. Micrometers, Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters and Kilometres are easily and often converted in a lot of technical jobs.

Same with nanoseconds, milliseconds and seconds when dealing with time in simulations or other computer programs (e.g. game development).

Milliliters, Centiliters and Liters are commonly used in cooking.

What's wrong with hectometers? I don't know how often they're used but dealing with a factor of 10 or 100 to the next "regular" unit (meters or kilometers) is no big deal.