Field Notes: Unit of Measure

One of my favourite science/nature poems is Unit of Measure by Sandra Beasley (Fun fact: all the capybara facts are true). Not only is it fun and features the adorable capybara but it also demonstrates a fundamental science/maths concept we learn in primary schools.

Before we knew about centimeters and inches, my teachers would cut out foot shapes and have us measure items with these cutouts. A table was 2 and a half foot cutouts long. I was 4-foot cutouts tall. We didn’t realise then that we had all made a social agreement that everything was measurable by foot cutouts, despite how arbitrary it was.

It sounds silly: that a unit of measurement is a social agreement but all standard units of measure are. If you look at the definition of a meter (metric system FTW), you will see that the International Standard is currently calculated with regards to the distance light travels in a fraction of a second. It has been arbitrarily defined for centuries only to be defined and redefined again and again. The ones we use today are the ones the whole world has agreed upon are the best/the most accurate. For now.

Considering all this, Beasley’s poem does not look as silly anymore. A capybara can be an appropriate unit of measure for bark-eating, alarm squeal making, and acceptance among fish.

And if the science community can redefine the commonly used units of today, what other yard posts are we comparing ourselves to and how can we redefine them so that they work the best for us.

I hope you take the opportunity to do so.
Cheyenne

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This week’s curiosities:

1. Enjoyed this Ted Talk by Stuart Firestein called: The pursuit of ignorance. In summary, Firestein talks about finding answers in the unknown.

2. I had “Vindicated” by Dashboard Confessional on loop this week.

3. I’ve been reading “Becoming Better Grownups” by Brad Montague. It’s been so joyful. Definitely recommended for all the burnt-out adults out there.