Let's stop counting centuries (dynomight.net)

Article summary

The article suggests replacing the traditional way of counting centuries with a more intuitive method, using decades (e.g., 1700s instead of 18th century) to avoid confusion. This approach is proposed to be more concise and easier to understand. The author argues that the current system can lead to misunderstandings, citing an example from a Jeopardy episode where contestants got the start date of the 20th century wrong. The article also discusses potential objections and proposes a convention for referring to decades and centuries.

Main themes

• century counting
• date notation
• language evolution
• calendar systems
• notation conventions

What commenters say

• The proposed change to counting centuries is more intuitive and easier to understand, especially when referring to specific dates and events.
• The existence of a year zero is not universally accepted, with some arguing it is necessary for consistency and others claiming it does not exist in the traditional calendar system.
• The use of decades (e.g., 1700s) instead of centuries (e.g., 18th century) can avoid confusion and make communication more efficient.
• The switch from the Julian to Gregorian calendar and the resulting discrepancies in dates and years should be taken into account when discussing century counting.
• Some argue that the proposed change is unnecessary and that traditional notation is clear and well-established, while others see it as an opportunity to simplify and improve communication.
• The concept of a year zero is already used in some contexts, such as astronomy and ISO 8601, and could be adopted more widely for consistency.
• The discussion around century counting and notation is not just about technical accuracy, but also about the evolution of language and the need for clear and efficient communication.