Here’s an annoying thought for you. Do you know why some of the units of measurements you use are a thing?

I ask as I was quietly astonished to discover why housing density and layout of housing estates are lain out in the way that they are (and why was that, you’re probably not asking? Well, since you didn’t, it’s because I’ve been looking at the regeneration sector and masterplans being drawn up for a load of places around here.)

The answer was that in 1902, two Edwardian architects decided that 70 feet was needed between facing windows so as you could see the other’s nipple. It’s still in the planning statue. It’s also why we have some of the smallest new homes in Europe. And there was me thinking it was driven by developers cramming as many buildings in as possible.

When I started to dig a little more (to extend the building metaphor), there are all kinds of ’standards’ that measure the world - and constrain it.

There’s the story that the Space Shuttle was the size it was?  So as key parts of it could go onto transporters that could fit on roads set out to afford Roman chariot’s wheelbase. 

Angles and our lovely geolocation services use the sexagesimal numerical system. As per the Sumerian astronomer would have 2.5 millennial ago.

The metric system was bourn out of trying to standardise loaves of bread (and importantly to avoid further unrest in the French populace.)

I have allotments (sorry, a very British thing) which are measured in poles. Or rods. Or perches. But why the lease on my little plot needs a 600 year old stick to calculate the rent is a question no-one seems to be able to answer. Not that it matters. Even earlier, in the C.13th, perches were variously measured at 18 or 20 or 22 or 24 feet. And you think it’s hard to judge which unit to use on you web project for your H1’s…

These patterns, once they get ingrained - or worse still, instituted into legislation, such as our planning legislations - are really hard to budge and even harder to overcome. 

We easily fall under a spell of an answer to a question that seems beguilingly solid - and often don’t think to question the story behind it. Or even the history of it. 
 
You might prefer pixels over pica, or points over em’s or v-h’s. The the measure of all things is an argument that goes back at least as far as Protagoras, so you’re in good company if you’re convinced what works for you is the best - that it’s the human scale that’s important.