==JAPAN: KM== [Contemplation]
Do you recognize the time g9.69h?
It is the time in which the world fastest man Usain Bolt completed the 100-meter dash in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Time is commonly represented by the sexagesimal system like 24 hours for a day and 60 minutes for an hour. However, I have some doubts about the way of time notation since decimals are calculated by the decimal system. Isnft using both the sexagesimal and the decimal systems too complicated especially? Wouldnft it be better to adopt the decimal system to represent time?
In fact, the international units such as a meter and an ampere are all represented by the decimal system except time. If it has become possible to adopt the decimal system for time, there will be no gap between decimals and others; besides this will make it easier to calculate especially for physics. In addition, there are no special reasons to adopt the sexagesimal system. To adopt a new system for time, it will not be difficult for people to adjust; instead, the new system with the decimal system would change peoplefs lifestyle. Throughout this essay, Ifll convince you that the sexagesimal system is not essential and that benefits of adopting the decimal system outweigh those of the sexagesimal one.
The first argument against keeping using the sexagesimal system is that it was adopted without plausible reasons. Around the second century B.C., the ancient Mesopotamian civilization invented the duodecimal and sexagesimal systems based on the phases of the moon. The origins of the duodecimal system come from taking 30 days to become the full moon and repeating it 12 times to become a year. Then, the sexagesimal system was invented by combining the duodecimal and the decimal systems. As is shown, the sexagesimal system was thought up just because the cycle of the phases of the moon repeats 12 times in a year. However, although it may be natural to think that a year is 12 months and a month is 30 days, it is not necessary to keep 24 hours for a day or 60 seconds for a minute. In other words, it is possible to have new notation of time like 10 hours for a day or 100 seconds for a minute to make it easier. Consequently, this leads to a conclusion that there are no special reasons to keep the current system; moreover, there is no disadvantage to adopt the decimal system instead of the sexagesimal one.
Secondly, time notation with the decimal system would bring the convenient world. When our time notation was invented, people did not have a smaller time unit than a second. However, as science and technology have grown, there have been more and more chances to handle decimals. Since time has two notations, this makes it complicated to calculate especially for physics. If there was only the decimal system, it would be much easier to read numbers. By unifying into one system, we could also save time and trouble for calculation. It would benefit us by easing the change from minutes to seconds. For example, in order to show 2 hours, 35 minutes and 50 seconds in seconds, we have to calculate 2~60~60+35~60+50. Yet we can instantly say 23,550 seconds with the decimal system. This will make it shorter to calculate.
Finally, when you use the new system actually, it is necessary to spread it absolutely and to accommodate it. In the new system, we have the rule that 10 hours are a day and 100 seconds are a minute. When calculating, one second in this system corresponds to 0.864 seconds in the present system. While people may think that it is hard to spread it, in fact, it will not be hard. The only thing we have to do is to have clocks and watches conformed to this system. Clocks and watches usually make people conscious about time. In an environment without them, people do not have the ability to judge the time accurately. In other words, when people measure time length, they do not follow time itself but clocks. This means people have the ability to adjust to the change of time system. Also, adopting the new time system could reform our way of thinking towards time. By having a new system, people will definitely care more about time and respect time.
In conclusion, this essay has presented how insignificant the process of adopting the sexagesimal system is and that having the decimal system not only makes it easier to read numbers but also reduce the calculating time. Moreover, adjusting life to the new system will not be so difficult. The new system will definitely affect us in a good way and it should be adopted in the near future.
"Getting It Together"
Time is fundamental to our life. Time goes by anywhere, and it always passes. I have been attracted to gtimeh because it is not only a commonplace affair but also very mysterious. As I developed the concept of time, a lot of questions arose; so I had difficulty focusing on the most important point. On examination, some begged the question on the sexagesimal system, but their draft revision didnft make me sympathized. So, I devised the system that would work better. Throughout this essay, I hope you will think about gtimeh more deeply, and show respect for time.
