this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2023
516 points (94.9% liked)

Showerthoughts

29698 readers
961 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
516
A metric tonne (1000 kg) should be called a megagram (1 Mg). (lemmy.ca)
submitted 1 year ago by someguy3@lemmy.ca to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
166 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[โ€“] randy@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm an engineer, and I make it a point to teach young engineers that "a ton" can mean any one of three things:

  • Short ton = 2000 lb
  • Long ton = 2240 lb
  • Metric ton = 1000 kg = ~2204 lb

And which is being used is often not spelled out, but is just known from context, and usually should be clarified. I once nearly got in trouble by thinking a measurement was in short tons when it was actually metric tons.

So my own act of rebellion is to use "Mg" when I'm writing my personal notes.

[โ€“] Treczoks@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

There is metric ton and this imperial shit. And thanks to metric being highly systematic, "Mg" (megagrams) is actually correct - "ton" is just a shorthand.