On Molecular Numbers

[lhynard]

I tried posting two text posts over the weekend, but neither came through then. I've fixed the problem, but they probably won't show up on your Friends Pages.

Also, I neglected to announce my 1000th post....I was at a retreat this weekend. More on that later, but as I am behind, I'll post some short entries inspired by an astronomy talk given

Comments

[shadewright]

Yeah, to make this fair, you need to measure the universe in the diameter of the average solar system or something.

[lhynard]

They do have AUs -- astronomical units -- which I believe is the distance from the earth to the sun.

[shadewright]

AH-HA!

See? You admit that you even *knew* about a more fair system of measurement, and declined to use it! You reveal your bias, sir. For shame, my dear man, for shame.

;)

[lhynard]

Yes, yes, but in my post above, I said, "To be fair...," and then proceeded to compare amounts of things with amounts of things, because comparing distances to number of things is not fair.

[shadewright]

Bah!!
Do not attempt to confuse me with data!

...you know, here I'm trying to be funny, and now you suck me into actually thinking about it.
I doubt that astronomical was originally associated with big numbers because the numbers we use to describe astronomy are large. I think it was used to indicate great size because...

...wait for it...

the actual size of the actual universe is actually really, really big.

Maybe?

[lhynard]

...possibly...

foo on you