When Numbers Attack!

[hkellick]

Let's talk about numbers. Numbers rule our world. It is the "purest of all languages", according to some. 2 + 2 = 4, no matter what the language. Numbers are ESPECIALLY important if you are Scientist or Engineer. Because Numbers become Equations and you work with and try to form new Equations to explain and work with the world as it stands.
But what is in a number? Which number defines the form best?
For me, the question comes as such...
Today is weigh-in day. I tell y'all what my weight is and y'all clap and say "Look! LITE's lost another x pounds!". But due to a lousy reading yesterday and today, my three day average weight is 258. Yes, the scale says I've gained a pound since last week.
But is it true? Let's look more carefully at the facts.
Last Saturday morning I ended up with an all-time new lowest weight of 255.5. Saturday morning.
Is this the weight that describes the form?
Or how about the fact that just this week I've been able to pull my belt to the third notch giving me a waist of approximately 41 inches. Or the fact that I'm wearing a 40 inch waist pair of jeans when only a few months back I was wearing 46 inch waist jeans.
Is this the number that describes the form?
My answer.. it's a combination of all this.. plus more... other important numbers are resting heart rate, how much I can lift and basal metabolic rate.
And so I post to you my weekly weight: 258.. with the realization that.. it's just another number.. one of many important numbers.
No more.
No less.

Comments

[kareila]

And then there's typoed numbers, like 278, which make it sound like your weight is seesawing wildly.

[lite.livejournal.com]

Fine then!
Why don't I just go and edit it proper-like!
*hmph*

Numbers

[dawnstar.livejournal.com]

You and I talked recently about how little numbers really mean. That was about age ... but the point is universal.