• Jiral@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    It is incredibly hard to define something without a certain degree of error to it, or rather impossible.The degree of error could be reduced since then, thanks to scienitific progress.

    The French" did not “get the calculations wrong”, it was the best that was possible back in the day. Nowadays the definition of the meter is dematerialised and the yard is defined as a conversion factor of the meter.

      • Jiral@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        No, it doesn’t. Every measurement has error. The question is how big. It was minor already back then, but it could be further reduced and with the switch to dematerialised standards that are only possible with modern technology it is reduced even further, but it does have still an error, of course.

        By your logic, that’s saying they still get it wrong but it is understandable because everyone will get everything forever wrong. I just find it mildly amusing is all.