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  • 02-01-2010 5:21pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭


    The decade is not over. It is still the 201st decade. Stop irritating me by saying "I can't believe it's a new decade" (that actually annoys me for several reasons) and return, more educated to your daily tasks.

    Now, here's the science bit...

    There was no year zero. Therefore, the first decade was the years 1 through 10, ending on December 31st 10 AD. Therefore, all decades, centuries and millenia end on December 31st when the year ends in a zero. Easy, huh?

    A decade is any arbitrary 10 year period. So, technichally, one finishes every second. But the big one is the calendrical decade, which I described up there *points up*...

    Stop going on aesthetics, it's what's on the inside that counts!


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,221 ✭✭✭BluesBerry


    My head hurts after that :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    BluesBerry wrote: »
    My head hurts after that :confused:

    Thank you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,659 ✭✭✭CrazyRabbit


    Toulousain wrote: »
    The decade is not over. It is still the 201st decade. Stop irritating me by saying "I can't believe it's a new decade" (that actually annoys me for several reasons) and return, more educated to your daily tasks.

    Now, here's the science bit...

    There was no year zero. Therefore, the first decade was the years 1 through 10, ending on December 31st 10 AD. Therefore, all decades, centuries and millenia end on December 31st when the year ends in a zero. Easy, huh?

    A decade is any arbitrary 10 year period. So, technichally, one finishes every second. But the big one is the calendrical decade, which I described up there *points up*...

    Stop going on aesthetics, it's what's on the inside that counts!

    How do you know there was no year 0?

    When we are born, we start off age 0. I suspect the same is for the calendar. It started on day 1 of the year 0. After 365 days past, it became year 1.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭Sulmac


    I wouldn't get so hung up on it, considering the world is really over 4.5 billion years old...


  • Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,238 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    70-79 was the 70's, 80-89 was the 80's so, 2000-2009 was a decade for me (I refuse to say that stupid name we've given to it)

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,815 ✭✭✭✭galwayrush


    My wine tastes good, i'm going back to it.;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,534 ✭✭✭SV


    Toulousain wrote: »
    A decade is any arbitrary 10 year period.

    Yeahhh and this one started on January 1st 2000
    Figure it out..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,640 ✭✭✭Pushtrak


    70-79 was the 70's, 80-89 was the 80's so, 2000-2009 was a decade for me (I refuse to say that stupid name we've given to it)
    To me, its 80s, 90s, them years, 10s.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,969 ✭✭✭robby^5


    If you really want to be scientific about things then it's the year 4,540,000,010 give or take several hundred thousand years.

    You're wrong though. A decade is a period of any ten years yeah but it also used to describe the interval of the tens digit of the calendar year which works because with the exception of the 0's, every decade has 10 years.

    For example, the 90's were 1990, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99. That's 10 years. You're alone on this one, unless you can convince the entire western world to start thinking of 1990 as being in the 80's... good luck with that.

    But then again if you wish to get worked up about an arbitray number based on the reckoned birth of some Palestinian dude name Jesus, be my guest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,807 ✭✭✭speedboatchase


    OP, nobody cares. You were one of those guys sitting in a corner disapprovingly on 31th december 1999 right?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,228 ✭✭✭bluto63


    OP, nobody cares. You were one of those guys sitting in a corner disapprovingly on 31th december 1999 right?

    You should have seen him on 31st December 2000 though!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    robby^5 wrote: »
    You're wrong though. A decade is a period of any ten years and it also used to describe the interval of the tens digit of the calendar year which works because with the exception of the 0's, every decade has 10 years.

    All decades are ten years.
    The first decade had 9 years.
    One sentence.
    lol

    Meh, close this thread, I already got thanks...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,441 ✭✭✭jhegarty


    bluto63 wrote: »
    You should have seen him on 31st December 2000 though!

    Must have been a very lonely millennium party.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    jhegarty wrote: »
    Must have been a very lonely millennium party.

    Just me and a few others who understand maths.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,441 ✭✭✭jhegarty


    Toulousain wrote: »
    All decades are ten years.
    The first decade had 9 years.
    One sentence.
    lol

    Meh, close this thread, I already got thanks...

    A decade is any 10 years. Doesn't matter when is starts as long as it ends 10 years later.

    So the year 1 to 11 was a decade , as was 1964 to 1974.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,243 ✭✭✭✭Jesus Wept


    Toulousain wrote: »
    Just me and a few others who understand maths.


    Kicking party alright.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    jhegarty wrote: »
    So the year 1 to 11 was a decade , as was 1964 to 1974.

    Well, 1-10 and 1964-1973, technically. But you get the idea.

    A calendrical decade is one which starts on a XXX1 and finishes on a XXX0.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,877 ✭✭✭stripysocks85


    Toulousain wrote: »

    Therefore, all decades, centuries and millenia end on December 31st when the year ends in a zero. Easy, huh?

    Yes, easy. They end BEFORE the year that ends with a zero. As someone said already, the 90's would be deemed to be from 1990 - 1999, and then 2000 was the start of a new millennium. If we go by your standards, perhaps we shouldn't have celebrated the new millennium until Dec 31st 2000?

    Eh, no.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    The-Rigger wrote: »

    Gotta stop putting those up on facebook...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,877 ✭✭✭stripysocks85


    And yes, a decade is any 10 years, but people are just being pedantic by arguing over something like this.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,048 ✭✭✭dolliemix


    galwayrush wrote: »
    My wine tastes good, i'm going back to it.;)

    I think I need some wine after reading the original post


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,235 ✭✭✭lugha


    Toulousain wrote: »
    There was no year zero.
    Well there should have been. Some official done a blooper about 2k years ago.
    Look its very simply. If you are measuring discrete thingys like people, posts or pointy hats you being at 1. One pointy hat, two pointy hats and so forth. But when you are measuring continuous quantities like weight or length or time you begin at 0. You wouldn't measure your height with a tape starting at 1cm , nor would measure a runner's lap time with a stop watch starting at 1 sec. So why would you think a calendar would begin at year 1? :confused:

    Anyway, we had all this out 10 years ago and your subversive thinking didn't convince anyone then. So what makes you think we are ready for change now? :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,645 ✭✭✭Daemos


    Toulousain wrote: »
    Meh, close this thread, I already got thanks...
    Thanked by one person, ridiculed by everyone else.

    Was it really worth it?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,238 ✭✭✭✭Diabhal Beag


    Of all the things to feel strongly about it's the difference between a year. Ony a few people will care that it's not technically the end of the 201st decade.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,969 ✭✭✭robby^5


    Toulousain wrote: »
    All decades are ten years.
    The first decade had 9 years.
    One sentence.
    lol

    Meh, close this thread, I already got thanks...

    Exception to the rule but if you seriously wish to follow ordinal references then I wish you a pedantic yet happy new year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,159 ✭✭✭✭phasers


    There was a year zero


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,877 ✭✭✭stripysocks85


    When a baby is born, it isn't just 0. It doesn't reach 1 until 365 days has passed, but it is still 1 year old. Therefore, if time began, then it can't just begin at nothing. After the first 365 years, surely that is one year that has passed? And so it continues......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,640 ✭✭✭Pushtrak


    When a baby is born, it isn't just 0.
    No, its however many days/weeks/months up until a year.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,441 ✭✭✭jhegarty


    phasers wrote: »
    There was a year zero

    No there wasn't , they didn't have a concept of Zero (as we see it).


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,293 ✭✭✭✭Mint Sauce


    SV wrote: »
    Yeahhh and this one started on January 1st 2000
    Figure it out..

    thats when the century started, and the noughties started, the decade started in 2001

    ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,824 ✭✭✭ShooterSF


    OP I feel your pain but just know people just don't care. If it's the worst problem in the world I'd be delighted...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,159 ✭✭✭✭phasers


    jhegarty wrote: »
    No there wasn't , they didn't have a concept of Zero (as we see it).
    But to get to 1, don't you have to start at zero?

    As in the first day was day 1/365, and day 365/365 would be the beginning of year one.


  • Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 23,238 Mod ✭✭✭✭GLaDOS


    Usually I actually would be annoyed by this sort of thing, but 2000-2009 makes more sense. Bear in mind this is based around caculations that we now know are inaccurate anyway, surely it is better to adapt to the logical way, as opposed to sticking with the awkward one, for the sake of being "accurate" when it doesn't matter at all?

    Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at the conclusion of the test



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    DaPoolRulz wrote: »
    Thanked by one person, ridiculed by everyone else.

    Was it really worth it?

    Being correct is often tough...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,441 ✭✭✭jhegarty


    phasers wrote: »
    But to get to 1, don't you have to start at zero?

    As in the first day was day 1/365, and day 365/365 would be the beginning of year one.

    Nope.

    The calendar would have gone like this.

    30/12/1BC
    31/12/1BC
    1/1/1AD
    2/1/1AD

    There was no Roman numerals for Zero.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 812 ✭✭✭friendface


    Tbh, it's better to stick to what is generally accepted (80's = 1980-1989 etc..) The whole calender is based on the assumption that Christ was incarnated on 0AD. Since the occurrence of such an event is*ahem* debatable in any case, ;)we may as well stick to the current system and stop arguing over a missing year in a decade 2000 years ago. It's just an instrument to measure time which is globally accepted. Why complicate things?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,536 ✭✭✭Mark200


    Toulousain wrote: »
    Being correct is often tough...

    It IS a new decade, maybe not the 201st decade... but as you said yourself "A decade is any arbitrary 10 year period."... and quite obviously people are now referring to the 10 years from ***0 - ***9 as 'the' decade to measure.

    You must have very little to worry about though if you do actually get annoyed when people say it's a new decade. It's not that everyone goes around with a strong belief that there was a year 0, it's just that we couldn't care less.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭whatdoicare


    So, by your logic any baby born is aged 1 year straight away? I don't think many people are going to follow you on this one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,077 ✭✭✭✭bnt


    jhegarty wrote: »
    No there wasn't , they didn't have a concept of Zero (as we see it).
    That's true, but you know what? They were wrong. The "invention" of Zero filled a major hole in the understanding of mathematics and made it possible to do calculations that made no sense before. So, I suppose the question is a choice between History and Science.

    PS: when you are born, your age is indeed Zero.

    You are the type of what the age is searching for, and what it is afraid it has found. I am so glad that you have never done anything, never carved a statue, or painted a picture, or produced anything outside of yourself! Life has been your art. You have set yourself to music. Your days are your sonnets.

    ―Oscar Wilde predicting Social Media, in The Picture of Dorian Gray



  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,603 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    bnt wrote: »
    PS: when you are born, your age is indeed Zero.
    To calculate your Chinese lunar age is not so complicated and confusing as some people think. In Chinese lunar age, you were 1-year-old when you were born, and add one more year after each Chinese New Year no matter what's your birth date. If you born on Chinese New Year Eve before midnight, you are 2-year-old on next morning!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭whatdoicare


    To calculate your Chinese lunar age is not so complicated and confusing as some people think. In Chinese lunar age, you were 1-year-old when you were born, and add one more year after each Chinese New Year no matter what's your birth date. If you born on Chinese New Year Eve before midnight, you are 2-year-old on next morning!

    That's weird..imagine being 2 years old the morning after you were born!!?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,727 ✭✭✭Midnight_EG


    Toulousain wrote: »
    It is still the 201st decade.
    Excuse me? 201st?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    Excuse me? 201st?

    I don't get it...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,727 ✭✭✭Midnight_EG


    Toulousain wrote: »
    I don't get it...
    Nevermind, read it as century at least 10 times.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,815 ✭✭✭✭galwayrush


    OK, So, 2020 will not be the 20's and obviously 1920 was not in the 20's either.:confused:

    Seriously, the OP is correct though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,563 ✭✭✭karlog


    Oh ffs will this horrible decade ever end!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,824 ✭✭✭ShooterSF


    Mark200 wrote: »
    It IS a new decade, maybe not the 201st decade... but as you said yourself "A decade is any arbitrary 10 year period."... and quite obviously people are now referring to the 10 years from ***0 - ***9 as 'the' decade to measure.

    Happy new millennium so! (the millennium from 1909-2009) :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,848 ✭✭✭bleg


    my post count just entered a new millenium.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17,689 ✭✭✭✭OutlawPete


    galwayrush wrote: »
    My wine tastes good, i'm going back to it.;)

    You shouldn't be drinking at any time.

    Your an on-call Getaway driver ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,815 ✭✭✭✭galwayrush


    OutlawPete wrote: »
    You shouldn't be drinking at any time.

    Your an on-call Getaway driver ;)

    Waiting for the call, need 24 hours notice..............;)


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