Time Zones

In my geography class we just reviewed time zones. The time zones and meridians and prime meridian are all "unnatural" and just manmade. Many time zones are influenced politically and geographically, which results in awkward (to say the least) shapes and exceptions. Why don't humans just keep longitudes the same as latitudes, at least change the clearly outdated and dysfunctional system, or better yet have a universal time (literally) so that everybody, astronauts or earthlings, are "on the same page"? Yes, time is relative and confusing, but isn't there a better way? Time zones are so illogical and confusing that they are much harder for me to understand than any math concept I've ever approached...

#Physics

Easy Math Editor

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`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
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Comments

Why does the US use the US Customary system, and not the metric system? There's your answer.

Bob Krueger - 7 years, 9 months ago

But I was referring to international time zones... US decisions don't dictate all international affairs, especially when England was the most powerful country when time zones were created. That isn't much of a satisfying answer.

Justin Wong - 7 years, 9 months ago

That is not the answer to my question. The answer to my question is this: because of custom. It's too difficult to change it.

Bob Krueger - 7 years, 9 months ago

@Bob Krueger – Is it really? Some people say it is easier to adapt something than create. I am questioning customs and their relevance in today's world of change.

Justin Wong - 7 years, 9 months ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$