So basically the cylinder that science has used as THE kilogram since 1889 has been losing microscopic weight, like a few billionths of a kilogram. What scientists plan to do is instead of having a physical object set the standard for how much a kilogram weighs, they’re going to express it in terms of Planck’s Constant, a fundamental constant in quantum physics as unchanging as the speed of light in a vacuum. By dividing Planck’s Constant by the Meter and the Second (both already defined by fundamental constants), you get an insanely small weight. Multiply that by a big enough number and you get one kilogram!
So instead of measuring all weights against an object that can change, the kilogram is defined by unchanging physical constants and pure math.
as of now, the Kilogram is the only SI base unit that ISN’T defined by a constant. The Metre is defined by the speed of light and the Second by the raditon of Caesium, for example. The Kilogram has really lagged behind and it’s great that they’ve finally found an alternative, because the laws of physics don’t change, whereas the original Kilogram will not weigh the same in 500 years
Note to vacationing non-Americans: while it’s true that America doesn’t always have the best food culture, the food in our restaurants is really not representative of what most of us eat at home. The portions at Cheesecake Factory or IHOP are meant to be indulgent, not just “what Americans are used to.”
If you eat at a regular American household, during a regular meal where they’re not going out of their way to impress guests, you probably will not be served twelve pounds of chocolate-covered cream cheese. Please bear this in mind before writing yet another “omg I can’t believe American food” post.
Also, most American restaurant portions are 100% intended as two meals’ worth of food. Some of my older Irish relatives still struggle with the idea that it’s not just not rude to eat half your meal and take the rest home, it’s expected. (Apparently this is somewhat of an American custom.)
Until you’re hitting the “fancy restaurant” tier (the kind of place you go for a celebration or an anniversary date), a dinner out should generally also be lunch for the next day. Leftovers are very much the norm.
From the little time I’ve spent in Canada, this seems to be the case up there as well.
the portions in family restaurants (as opposed to haute cuisine types) are designed so that no one goes away hungry.
volume IS very much a part of the american hospitality tradition, and Nobody Leaves Hungry is important. but you have to recognize that it’s not how we cook for ourselves, it’s how we welcome guests and strengthen community ties.
so in order to give you a celebratory experience and make you feel welcomed, family restaurants make the portions big enough that even if you’re a teenage boy celebrating a hard win on the basketball court, you’re still going to be comfortably full when you leave.
of course, that means that for your average person with a sit-down job, who ate a decent lunch that day, it’s twice as much as they want or more. that’s ok. as mentioned above, taking home leftovers is absolutely encouraged. that, too, is part of american hospitality tradition; it’s meant to invoke fond memories of grandma loading you down with covered dishes so you can have hearty celebration food all week. pot luck church basement get-togethers where the whole town makes sure everybody has enough. that sort of thing. it’s about sharing. it’s about celebrating Plenty.
it’s not about pigging out until you get huge. treating it that way is pretty disrespectful of our culture. and you know, contrary to what the world thinks, we do have one.
Especially the grandma sending you home with a ton of food thing. Taking home leftovers that taste good is definitely tied to our early memories of our grandmothers cooking large meals for the holidays or whatever and sending you home with a week of dinner or more because she loves you. And while this is partially something capitalism tries to grab up and claim for their own, the meaning is the same. “Here, Don’t cook dinner for awhile. Enjoy this food that reminds you of me. Be good and have safe travels home. And visit again soon.”
My paternal grandma lived about a hundred miles north of me when she was still alive and we’d drive up every two weekends and spend a couple days there to spend time with her. As I got older the visits thinned out a bit and holidays were more vital to seeing family. But the love my grandma put into her food made me feel safe. She was the only bio family I ever felt safe around. And honestly? That’s definitely not a completely unique experience in America. Grandmas are our safety and warmth and our break from parents being parents. They spoil us a little and then we go back to our parents. My situation was a bit more dire than the average American as my parents were wildly abusive (while we were at home, NOT while we were at family’s houses) but the imagery is still the same. Grandma loves you and wants you to feel good.
My 4 year old nephew loves to paint his nails. Any time he sees someone wear nail polish he asks if he can have some too. The most difficult part is getting him to decide what color, because he he wants all of them.
Nail polish is for everyone.
Update!!
The kid’s favorite football player responded with support.
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