units for the layman -- the houseboat

It is so hard for the ordinary man to comprehend the vast distances between the planets, or even the heights of great buildings.  It would be so much easier if we were given distances in terms of something familiar to all of us:  the houseboat (hb).  How tall is the mighty Empire State Building?  That thing is an amazing 82 houseboats high!

>>14
Listen here, jerkface.  Science and engineering are the manliest of pursuits, and I don't know what fantasies you entertain of cock-assery in your head, but they must be very lengthy.  Next, they do not eat babies in France, and never have, so you can put that crazy prejudice aside, mister.