[USMA:54745] Re: Metric Units Already Used in the US
Jim (Frysinger)-- This is exactly what I was talking about, and I didn't even know that it had already been compiled! I think that Don Hillger might want to feature this information on the USMA website, and Gary Brown might want to get some of it into Metric Today. The last paragraph in your Metric U.S. section is exactly the kind of information that we in the USMA should be pushing. Your compilation could be very useful for those giving interviews. They'll probably shock their audiences about the extent to which the U.S. is already metric! --Martin Morrison [Pat Naughtin and I (Jim Frysinger), with suggestions from others, developed a list of instances in which Americans use the metric system in their everyday lives. I think USMA's website used to post that list but I cannot find it. So I provide this link to it on my website: www.metricmethods.com/metricmoments.php.]
[USMA:54743] Re: Interview for Here and Now NPR program
very well said. -Original Message- From: c...@traditio.com Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 4:25 PM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:54742] Interview for Here and Now NPR program The problem I see is that we (USMA) still get bogged down way too much in mathematical and technical and historical technicalities, which a mostly science-ignorant population tunes out. In this interview, the practical argument was relegated to the very last few seconds, after lots of talk about abstruse (to the general public) metric units, Napoleon, and Roman miles -- fascinating in themselves and encouraged by the interviewer, but of no practical interest to the audience. I can just hear that audience thinking: That's why I don't like the metric system. It's too confusing. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO GET OFF THIS TRACK OF TRYING TO PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT THE METRIC SYSTEM IS BETTER FOR LOGICAL REASONS. PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THAT ARGUMENT. Instead, we need to emphasize the ECONOMIC and FINANCIAL advantages of completing the national conversion to metric. I say completing, because we are 50% converted already, and there is no going back. If we complete the conversion, we become competitive worldwide and can take advantage of billions of dollars of extra commerce. But people don't realize that we are already 50% metric. One of the revelations that has come to me during this recent discussion is that most people don't recognize the metric system when they see it. When they buy 500 mg of aspirin, they don't know that the milligram is a metric unit. When they buy a 2-liter Coke, they don't realize that the liter is a metric unit. When they buy a 3500-lumen CFL, they don't realize that the lumen is a metric unit. They think metric without knowing it. We (USMA) really need to take this fact into account when we develop our arguments. People are not moved by philosophical arguments now. They are moved by practical arguments. If you tell them that metric means a job for them or a higher salary, they will convert overnight! Remember the motto: Metric Means Jobs and Money. --Martin Morrison, USMA Columnist - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2015.0.5961 / Virus Database: 4355/9985 - Release Date: 06/09/15
[USMA:54744] Re: Interview for Here and Now NPR program
They think metric without knowing it. We (USMA) really need to take this fact into account when we develop our arguments. Pat Naughtin and I, with suggestions from others, developed a list of instances in which Americans use the metric system in their everyday lives. I think USMA's website used to post that list but I cannot find it. So I provide this link to it on my website: http://www.metricmethods.com/metricmoments.php I probably should update it a bit and I'm open to suggestions. The ones about 90 mm disks and VCR tapes might be removed now. Jim On 2015-06-10 10:25, c...@traditio.com wrote: The problem I see is that we (USMA) still get bogged down way too much in mathematical and technical and historical technicalities, which a mostly science-ignorant population tunes out. In this interview, the practical argument was relegated to the very last few seconds, after lots of talk about abstruse (to the general public) metric units, Napoleon, and Roman miles -- fascinating in themselves and encouraged by the interviewer, but of no practical interest to the audience. I can just hear that audience thinking: That's why I don't like the metric system. It's too confusing. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO GET OFF THIS TRACK OF TRYING TO PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT THE METRIC SYSTEM IS BETTER FOR LOGICAL REASONS. PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THAT ARGUMENT. Instead, we need to emphasize the ECONOMIC and FINANCIAL advantages of completing the national conversion to metric. I say completing, because we are 50% converted already, and there is no going back. If we complete the conversion, we become competitive worldwide and can take advantage of billions of dollars of extra commerce. But people don't realize that we are already 50% metric. One of the revelations that has come to me during this recent discussion is that most people don't recognize the metric system when they see it. When they buy 500 mg of aspirin, they don't know that the milligram is a metric unit. When they buy a 2-liter Coke, they don't realize that the liter is a metric unit. When they buy a 3500-lumen CFL, they don't realize that the lumen is a metric unit. They think metric without knowing it. We (USMA) really need to take this fact into account when we develop our arguments. People are not moved by philosophical arguments now. They are moved by practical arguments. If you tell them that metric means a job for them or a higher salary, they will convert overnight! Remember the motto: Metric Means Jobs and Money. --Martin Morrison, USMA Columnist -- James R. Frysinger 632 Stoney Point Mountain Road Doyle TN 38559-3030 (C) 931.212.0267 (H) 931.657.3107 (F) 931.657.3108
[USMA:54746] Re: Interview for Here and Now NPR program
My recommendations:Deletes: film (both movie and still), VCR tapes, 90 mm floppies as obsolete Adds:Also ball point and gel pens specify point in mm, like pencil leads.In the refrigerated juice case, the 1.75 L carafe has largely replaced the half gallonHardware stores generally have a good selection of metric fasteners (necessary to mount your flat screen tv (VESA mount) and for some assembly required items if you are short a screw. I've never heard of a 26 km race. Is that an error or a test? Marathon is 42.2 km (approx), half marathon is half that. From: James j...@metricmethods.com To: U.S. Metric Association usma@colostate.edu Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 2:56 PM Subject: [USMA:54744] Re: Interview for Here and Now NPR program They think metric without knowing it. We (USMA) really need to take this fact into account when we develop our arguments. Pat Naughtin and I, with suggestions from others, developed a list of instances in which Americans use the metric system in their everyday lives. I think USMA's website used to post that list but I cannot find it. So I provide this link to it on my website: http://www.metricmethods.com/metricmoments.php I probably should update it a bit and I'm open to suggestions. The ones about 90 mm disks and VCR tapes might be removed now. Jim On 2015-06-10 10:25, c...@traditio.com wrote: The problem I see is that we (USMA) still get bogged down way too much in mathematical and technical and historical technicalities, which a mostly science-ignorant population tunes out. In this interview, the practical argument was relegated to the very last few seconds, after lots of talk about abstruse (to the general public) metric units, Napoleon, and Roman miles -- fascinating in themselves and encouraged by the interviewer, but of no practical interest to the audience. I can just hear that audience thinking: That's why I don't like the metric system. It's too confusing. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO GET OFF THIS TRACK OF TRYING TO PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT THE METRIC SYSTEM IS BETTER FOR LOGICAL REASONS. PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THAT ARGUMENT. Instead, we need to emphasize the ECONOMIC and FINANCIAL advantages of completing the national conversion to metric. I say completing, because we are 50% converted already, and there is no going back. If we complete the conversion, we become competitive worldwide and can take advantage of billions of dollars of extra commerce. But people don't realize that we are already 50% metric. One of the revelations that has come to me during this recent discussion is that most people don't recognize the metric system when they see it. When they buy 500 mg of aspirin, they don't know that the milligram is a metric unit. When they buy a 2-liter Coke, they don't realize that the liter is a metric unit. When they buy a 3500-lumen CFL, they don't realize that the lumen is a metric unit. They think metric without knowing it. We (USMA) really need to take this fact into account when we develop our arguments. People are not moved by philosophical arguments now. They are moved by practical arguments. If you tell them that metric means a job for them or a higher salary, they will convert overnight! Remember the motto: Metric Means Jobs and Money. --Martin Morrison, USMA Columnist -- James R. Frysinger 632 Stoney Point Mountain Road Doyle TN 38559-3030 (C) 931.212.0267 (H) 931.657.3107 (F) 931.657.3108
[USMA:54748] Re: Interview for Here and Now NPR program
I like that list, Jim. I would start it with: use dollar and cents John Altounji One size does not fit all. Social promotion ruined Education. http://bit.do/tounj -Original Message- From: owner-u...@colostate.edu [mailto:owner-u...@colostate.edu] On Behalf Of James Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 11:56 AM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:54744] Re: Interview for Here and Now NPR program They think metric without knowing it. We (USMA) really need to take this fact into account when we develop our arguments. Pat Naughtin and I, with suggestions from others, developed a list of instances in which Americans use the metric system in their everyday lives. I think USMA's website used to post that list but I cannot find it. So I provide this link to it on my website: http://www.metricmethods.com/metricmoments.php I probably should update it a bit and I'm open to suggestions. The ones about 90 mm disks and VCR tapes might be removed now. Jim On 2015-06-10 10:25, c...@traditio.com wrote: The problem I see is that we (USMA) still get bogged down way too much in mathematical and technical and historical technicalities, which a mostly science-ignorant population tunes out. In this interview, the practical argument was relegated to the very last few seconds, after lots of talk about abstruse (to the general public) metric units, Napoleon, and Roman miles -- fascinating in themselves and encouraged by the interviewer, but of no practical interest to the audience. I can just hear that audience thinking: That's why I don't like the metric system. It's too confusing. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO GET OFF THIS TRACK OF TRYING TO PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT THE METRIC SYSTEM IS BETTER FOR LOGICAL REASONS. PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THAT ARGUMENT. Instead, we need to emphasize the ECONOMIC and FINANCIAL advantages of completing the national conversion to metric. I say completing, because we are 50% converted already, and there is no going back. If we complete the conversion, we become competitive worldwide and can take advantage of billions of dollars of extra commerce. But people don't realize that we are already 50% metric. One of the revelations that has come to me during this recent discussion is that most people don't recognize the metric system when they see it. When they buy 500 mg of aspirin, they don't know that the milligram is a metric unit. When they buy a 2-liter Coke, they don't realize that the liter is a metric unit. When they buy a 3500-lumen CFL, they don't realize that the lumen is a metric unit. They think metric without knowing it. We (USMA) really need to take this fact into account when we develop our arguments. People are not moved by philosophical arguments now. They are moved by practical arguments. If you tell them that metric means a job for them or a higher salary, they will convert overnight! Remember the motto: Metric Means Jobs and Money. --Martin Morrison, USMA Columnist -- James R. Frysinger 632 Stoney Point Mountain Road Doyle TN 38559-3030 (C) 931.212.0267 (H) 931.657.3107 (F) 931.657.3108
[USMA:54747] Re: interview for here and now NPR program
I like what you said Mark. I added my little comment and linked the interview on my Facebook. John Altounji One size does not fit all. Social promotion ruined Education. http://bit.do/tounj http://bit.do/tounj Hi guys: Just got interviewed for the Here and Now program on NPR for the time slot 8-11 AM Eastern time. Not sure how much will make it on the air, or if any of what I said will get broadcast tomorrow (Tuesday, June 9) In case any of you listen to NPR, perhaps you can tune in tomorrow and see if I made any sense. Mark Henschel
[USMA:54749] Re: Metric Units Already Used in the US
i would also like to suggest an addition to the list of Americans are using metric units when they : - write or speak about measures with reference to SI. SIncerely, Ron On Wed, Jun 10, 2015 at 1:14 PM, c...@traditio.com c...@traditio.com wrote: Jim (Frysinger)-- This is exactly what I was talking about, and I didn't even know that it had already been compiled! I think that Don Hillger might want to feature this information on the USMA website, and Gary Brown might want to get some of it into Metric Today. The last paragraph in your Metric U.S. section is exactly the kind of information that we in the USMA should be pushing. Your compilation could be very useful for those giving interviews. They'll probably shock their audiences about the extent to which the U.S. is already metric! --Martin Morrison [Pat Naughtin and I (Jim Frysinger), with suggestions from others, developed a list of instances in which Americans use the metric system in their everyday lives. I think USMA's website used to post that list but I cannot find it. So I provide this link to it on my website: www.metricmethods.com/metricmoments.php.] -- - Ronald L Stone on Facebook at www.facebook.com/photonron on Google+ at plus.google.com/u/0/+RonStonephotonron on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/enhanceability/ on Twitter (at) photonron - disclaimers or other restrictions may apply to this message. ---
[USMA:54750] NPR metric interview
Just to say that congratulations are due for a successful interview. Good job there. I don't think the NPR interviewer was hostile--just doing his job. Too bad the comments posted on the NPR website are so inane. HARRY WYETH
[USMA:54742] Interview for Here and Now NPR program
The problem I see is that we (USMA) still get bogged down way too much in mathematical and technical and historical technicalities, which a mostly science-ignorant population tunes out. In this interview, the practical argument was relegated to the very last few seconds, after lots of talk about abstruse (to the general public) metric units, Napoleon, and Roman miles -- fascinating in themselves and encouraged by the interviewer, but of no practical interest to the audience. I can just hear that audience thinking: That's why I don't like the metric system. It's too confusing. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO GET OFF THIS TRACK OF TRYING TO PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT THE METRIC SYSTEM IS BETTER FOR LOGICAL REASONS. PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THAT ARGUMENT. Instead, we need to emphasize the ECONOMIC and FINANCIAL advantages of completing the national conversion to metric. I say completing, because we are 50% converted already, and there is no going back. If we complete the conversion, we become competitive worldwide and can take advantage of billions of dollars of extra commerce. But people don't realize that we are already 50% metric. One of the revelations that has come to me during this recent discussion is that most people don't recognize the metric system when they see it. When they buy 500 mg of aspirin, they don't know that the milligram is a metric unit. When they buy a 2-liter Coke, they don't realize that the liter is a metric unit. When they buy a 3500-lumen CFL, they don't realize that the lumen is a metric unit. They think metric without knowing it. We (USMA) really need to take this fact into account when we develop our arguments. People are not moved by philosophical arguments now. They are moved by practical arguments. If you tell them that metric means a job for them or a higher salary, they will convert overnight! Remember the motto: Metric Means Jobs and Money. --Martin Morrison, USMA Columnist
