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
