French revolt against Prime Meridian-Sort Of

Well, this amused Rob and I so much that we just had to post it. Rather then continue to use the World-accepted Prime Meridian (Yeah, who needs standards?), the French Government has decided that the world' prime meridian runs through Paris. To celebrate, they're building groves of trees all the way down through France, which will be viewable from space. I should be clear: This is the Government, not a popular action by the people. And I think this is only 1/2 as stupid as US Crypto laws. I've been told that this is actually one of those many Millenium Celebration things, and not actually a revolt-thanks to those who write me.

Comments

So long as we're on french jokes...

[Anonymous Coward]

Why do the French line their roads with trees?

Because German soldiers like to march in the shade!

What are French military exercises like?

• Pick up your gun!
• Aim!
• Put it down!
• Surrender!

Stupid Ignorant Judgemental American Attitude

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, let's get our fact a bit straight here...:
1) It is known as the "Meridien de Paris" or Paris' Meridian.
2) It is meant to be a celebration of the end of the millenium
3) It will consits of school kids holding hands for a few minutes so that there will be an uninterrupted line of people near the west-east center of France passing through Paris.
4) Trees are/will be planted along that lines every few 100's meters so that a line of tress will be visible from the air

Bashing the French might be fun and a national bobby, but you should at least get your facts straight! Yes, France does strange things and this is another example of the weird artistic taste (like the Louvre Pyramids) but at least they are trying to do things that are nice just because they can be done...

ok, here goes..

[Kabby]

Since it's French bash day at slashdot today (woohoo), I realize there is no point in even trying to convince you that most French probably think of this as a really dumb idea. Since I'm half French, and all I saw was insults and mockery (well deserved might I add... for the most part anyway), all I can do is comment a bit on the subject.

If I remember my history correctly, there was a great debate as to where the prime meridian was supposed to be at first. It obviously came down to France and England, and it's rather obvious who 'won'. Now, I'm not looking to play the blame game but England and the United States are not ones to speak when it comes to avoiding world-accepted standards (inches vs. meters, driving left vs. driving right, etc). So please, before you insult the whole French population, think of your own country and how it stands out from the others in terms of standards. Also, one of the posts was saying that the French are arrogant, and although I'm not saying they aren't, you can't deny that there is no country more arrogant than the USA. And yes, for the last time, I think this is a dumb idea.

Let the flaming begin! (right KrON?)

Snitty Comment :)

[Chops-Frozen-Water]

"Mankind in general occupies the position between the angels and the French." -Mark Twain

But then, we 'mericans can't say much since we can't comprehend the metric system. :)
--

Driving on the right.......

[morbid]

Ok here goes..

90 % of the population is right-handed, and in days of yore, people drove in the middle of the road. When they passed someone coming in the other direction, 90% of peopl pulled in to the left to present their "sword hand" to the on-coming vehicle in case the occupants were enemies.

It was usually middle- and upper-class people who could afford coaches/horses etc in those days, so the French revolution changed things.

After and during the revolution, people drove and rode on the opposite side of the road (the right) to show their contempt for the middle and upper classes.

This practice was adopted throughout republican Europe, and spread to the New World.

Us Brits and other eccentrics stuck to driving on the left.

Hope that clears up a few things.

Lots of love,
Morbid
xxx