Happy New Year 2017!
Now that it's 2017, I suppose it's time for a New Year's Resolution:
"I resolve not to get upset every time I see a blatant disregard for the proper use of units or a lack of number sense!"
This problem shows up everywhere. I think you'd be very surprised by just how ubiquitous this issue actually is. Take a look at just a few examples below.
"I resolve not to get upset every time I see a blatant disregard for the proper use of units or a lack of number sense!"
This problem shows up everywhere. I think you'd be very surprised by just how ubiquitous this issue actually is. Take a look at just a few examples below.
Verizon To The Rescue!
This audio clip, turned YouTube video, is one of the most infamous examples of this complete disregard for number sense and dimensional analysis. Suffice it to say that an approximate 36000 KB data overage times 0.002 cents per KB is billed at approximately $72???
Potato Farmer
Me: My dear sir, that's quite a sign you have!
Farmer: Why, yes, we are having a big sale.
Me: I can see that! This sale is amazing!
Farmer: May I interest you in some potatoes?
Me: Certainly, I'll take 100lbs.
Farmer: Dear me, how wonderful...
Farmer: Just a minute while I fetch 100 bags!
Me: Thank you, take your time, no hurry...
Farmer: There you go, done loading your car.
Me: Here you are, my good man...
Me: You get a nice new crisp $1 bill...
Farmer: What's the meaning of this?
Me: You did such a fine job, keep the change!
Me: I know, it's way too generous,
Me: but I think you've earned it!
Farmer: This is an outrage!
Me: No, no, you can keep the change.
Me: After all, with the extra penny,
Me: you can get a whole pound for yourself
Me: with change to spare, no less!
(above: similar problem at my supermarket)
Library Matron
Clearly, the Librarian meant 10 cents per page printed from the PC Lab. However, under the unwritten rules of "Truth In Advertising" I would be fully within my rights to demand 10 printed pages for a single penny, no?
Local Deli
The Deli Guy is guilty of the same gross negligence of proper units usage. Did he mean 50 cents per sandwich? Shall we just give him a pass? No, say I, no more Mr Nice Guy! We can't let this slide anymore. Keep this up and it will soon be the end of civilization as we know it! How about 50 cents for 100 sandwiches?
Tile Store
Is the Tile clerk guilty of this mortal sin as well? So, shall we pay our 69 cents per tile and meekly walk away shaking our collective heads without uttering so much as a single cough in derision? No, I will make my order and pay 69 cents for 100 tiles! Maybe I'll take 1000 tiles off the clerk's hands for a measly $6.90! Why stop there, how about 10000.... OK, ok, now this is getting out of hand!
Parting Blow
Sorry, I have no further commentary. This last example just takes the cake!
Wait, just when you thought it could not get any worse, there's more:
OK, just one more:
This one opens up a whole other can of worms! My neighbor's mailbox is supposed to have a street address of 226 Such-And-Such Lane. Did he mix up his Roman Numerals with his Arabic Number System?
Well, that's all folks,
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