[LEAPSECS] drift of TAI

[Rob Seaman]

On Sep 15, 2008, at 7:50 AM, Poul-Henning Kamp wrote:


> In message <cb07d04cda3f9f6971383889137ead54.squirrel at rubidium.dyndns.org 

> >, "Ma

> gnus Danielson" writes:

>

>> Everything is arbitrary as base scale and division.

>

> Uhm no.

>

> All bases larger than 2 are arbitrary and all scalings are arbitrary.

>

> But base 2 represents the fundamental counting system, and as such is

> is unique.


The place value system itself is a design artifact.  Also, calling  
something "base 2" doesn't denote a unique encoding.  1's complement?   
2's complement?  Gray code?  BCD?

The initiation into the secret society of computer scientists includes  
a requirement for mastery of binary notation.  This is similar to ham  
operators having to master Morse code.  (I believe this requirement  
has been relaxed.)  Everyday citizens don't know Morse - and they  
aren't fluent in binary arithmetic.

Decimal and sexagesimal notation persist because over centuries and  
millennia lay people have demonstrated the ability to reach a minimal  
level of competency.  Which is to say that, for whatever reason, they  
are better tailored to our purposes.

Rob