Why Not Have 11 Months with 30 Days Each and One Month with 35 Days?
The current calendar system is well-organized and widely adapted. It works for everyone, from businesses to households, and has been ingrained in our daily lives and IT systems for centuries. The argument for change is often met with skepticism, as it's difficult to justify the cost of such an overhaul for an improvement that may not yield substantial benefits.
The Current System
Our current calendar system consists of 12 months, with 30 or 31 days, and one month (February) that generally has 28 or 29 days. This system has served us well for millennia and is deeply integrated into our IT systems, businesses, and everyday lives. For instance, people get paid on the last day of a month, and it would be a monumental and expensive task to change this system for a tweak that offers no significant advantages.
The Case for Change
Some might argue that having 11 months with 30 days each and one month with 35 days would offer better alignment with the seasons and the natural world. However, this change would disrupt the current seasonality and the months' significance in terms of cultural and astronomical events.
Seasonal Alignment
If we were to adopt a 12-month system where one month is 35 days, the seasons would shift over time. For example, May, traditionally the start of summer, would eventually become winter. This is due to the Earth's axial tilt and the way the seasons are synchronized with the equinoxes and solstices. The North Pole's seasonal extremes, with 24-hour sunlight and darkness, would be more evenly distributed over the 12-months, leading to a less accurate alignment with both agricultural and cultural traditions.
Calendar Reform Efforts
Many calendar reform proposals aim to make the system more consistent, but often come with significant drawbacks. For instance, the World Calendar, which proposes a 13-month system with 28 days each and one additional intercalary day, offers some benefits. It could potentially standardize the start of each month and reduce the variability of workdays and holidays. Furthermore, the 13th of every month falling on a Friday adds an appealing element for some, but it could also be seen as a gimmick by others.
Practical Challenges
The current calendar, with its 30-day months, aligns with the seven-day week system, which is deeply ingrained in many cultures and businesses. Any change would require extensive retraining and conversion efforts, which would be cost-prohibitive. Moreover, the calendar reform would face opposition from those who are resistant to change, including calendar makers and people who rely on the current system.
Conclusion
While the idea of having 11 months with 30 days each and one month with 35 days might seem appealing at first, the practical challenges and the lack of substantial benefits make it a non-starter. The current calendar system, with its 30 and 31-day months, provides a balance that serves the vast majority of the world's population. Any significant changes would require a compelling rationale, along with a willingness to face the potential backlash from those who view the calendar as sacred or closely tied to their beliefs.
In summary, while calendar reforms are a fascinating topic, the current system is well-suited to our needs and the costs of change would not be justified by the small improvements offered.