The secret mistake embedded in the speed of light

Silver lining, the 100m dash is a couple centimetres shorter to run!

The Measure of All Things: The Seven-year Odyssey and Hidden error that Transformed the World, by Ken Alder (2002)

[davidg]

Simple solution: take an angle grinder and remove 8km from Earth's circumference.

[nlbadguy]

The dude was scaling mountains while measuring. He gets a pass for making such a minor mistake.

[Elex]

I bet he went like: " Meh, who's gonna notice anyway...it's not like someone is going to measure the earth again.."

[Micah-csys]

The fact that people were measure the distance manually and expected no error is what amazes

[hairyneil]

To be fair, being less than a quarter of a mm off after measureing across a couple if countries and a sizable mountain range, is pretty decent

[sanakhalid]

I love how she shares the most intricate scientific facts like she's letting us in on a tantalizing secret, a bit of scandalous gossip. Her excitement is absolutely infectious—the moment she starts speaking, I’m completely hooked.

[Whit-wyow]

The truly funny thing is that it doesn't even matter that it's off. What matters is that it's consistent. He could have skipped a whole mountain or something, and it still would be equally valid because in the end all that's important is that we can all use the exact same one.

[raidenacer]

So this guy went on a 7 years hell ride over terrifying cliffs, enemy territories, deadly diseases and the only mistake he did was of 0.23 mm? Gosh, what a guy!

[nathankempf]

What were told in France is that he didn't tell anyone about his mistake because they were already struggling to pitch the meter as a standard unit, and he didn't want this mistake to be the last nail in the meter's coffin

[isbilen]

I would also not want to rectify an error of LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLIMETER after having been accused of being a foreign spy, contracted malaria and hovering over cliff edges.

[rayres]

I think one of the most refreshing aspects of this short is the lack of cuts - it's not an overedited hellscape as almost every other video. She's eloquent to do it all in one take. Feels a lot more natural.

[heronimousbrapson]

An 8 km error in 40, 000 could only drive physicists and mathematicians crazy.

[lenoreleitch]

Trivia you’ll never need to know but I could listen to this woman all day.

[michaelaiello]

As a luthier, I care about millimeters. But for a minute, I don’t know if I’ve ever cared so much! Great story!! You are a treat!

[BenAvodot]

I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a story about science more than this. Well done

[willjack]

Please don’t ever ever stop making videos!! These are brilliant!!! We need more educators like you!! ❤

[PatsRC]

I could sit and listen and talk about random things like this forever. Thank you

[Diana-vpzr]

I think it's sweet that you whisper the mistake, while simultaneously telling the whole world. ❤😅

[charlesdavid]

This is fascinating and enlightening. But, to be completely honest, it is your voice, cadence and pronunciation that keeps me involved. OMG, you are amazing!

[overDad-bod]

As a self-confessed fact nerd, I could listen to this woman for hours. Subbed 👍