Linda. The "Big-Bang" way is to simultaneously outlaw the use of
pre-metric measurement, metricate, reissue all government publications
and laws, and change education systems to the SI. India's changeover
lasted from 1 April 1960, when metric measurements became legal, to 1
April 1962, when all other systems were banned. The Indian model was
extremely successful and was copied over much of the developing world.
I am eager to see how Myanmar handles its transition to SI.
David Pearl MetricPioneer.com 503-428-4917
----- Message from l-daw...@att.net ---------
Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 11:17:07 -0800 (PST)
From: Linda Dawson <l-daw...@att.net>
Reply-To: Linda Dawson <l-daw...@att.net>
Subject: Re: Questions -- if you would be so kind to answer
To: "cont...@metricpioneer.com" <cont...@metricpioneer.com>
Dear David -- You did a most thorough job of answering my questions
-- thanks a million for your time and efforts. I especially like
your answer to my question #1...well, your answer to #2 was
terrific, also.
I infer that the Big Bang (and you also call it quick) route is most
efficient. Should I think that a country using this just completely
drops Standard markings and gives the lay person no time to learn
the system? ....just immerse themselves into it? Not now (for
God's sake, it is Christmas eve and tomorrow Christmas Dday), but if
you can give me a little more definiton on what the Big Bag Route
means....I would, again, be so grateful. You've taught me a lot.
Consider this to be your best deed to humanity today.
Sincerely,
Linda
________________________________
From: "cont...@metricpioneer.com" <cont...@metricpioneer.com>
To: Linda Dawson <l-daw...@att.net>; U.S. Metric Association
<usma@colostate.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: Questions -- if you would be so kind to answer
USMA. I received three questions from Linda Dawson who wrote a book:
Dradnats and the Metric Measurement Kids (Paperback ISBN
978-1492146261). I attempt to answer these questions and encourage
you to address these questions as well because my answers may not be
the best answers. Be sure to include l-daw...@att.net when you reply.
Hi Linda. I take a shot at addressing your questions:
Question 1. When do you think the U.S. will go metric? 5 years? 10 years?
Answer 1. The United States began efforts at metrication in 1866
with the Metric Act, so we have been riding around on training
wheels for about a century and a half. The United States is already
using SI to some degree (see http://metricpioneer.com/fact-sheet for
more detail) so The US Metric Association advocates completing
United States conversion to the International System of Units, known
by the abbreviation SI and also called the modern metric system. The
process of changing measurement units to the metric system is called
metric transition or metrication. If Hawaii HB36 (see
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=36
for more detail) is successful, then a state-by-state approach could
be a catalyst for a national trend that could start as early as 2018.
Question 2. Do you see it as a gradual transition? How did other
countries, such as Britain, make the change and how many years did
it take?
Answer 2. There are three common ways that nations convert from
traditional measurement systems to the SI. The first is the quick,
or Big-Bang route which was used by India in the 1960s and several
other nations including Australia and New Zealand since then. The
second way is to phase in units over time and progressively outlaw
traditional units. This method, favored by some industrial nations,
is slower and generally less complete. The third way is to redefine
traditional units in metric terms. This has been used successfully
(in China for example) where traditional units were ill-defined and
had regional variations. (See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication for more detail.)
Metrication in the United Kingdom remains partial. Most of British
industry, government and commerce use metric units, but imperial
units are officially used to specify journey distances, vehicle
speeds and the sizes of returnable milk containers, beer and cider
glasses.
Imperial units are also often used informally to describe body
measurements and vehicle fuel economy. At school in Britain, the use
of metric units is the norm, though pupils are taught rough metric
equivalents of those imperial units still in daily use. (See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_the_United_Kingdom for
more detail.)
Question 3. Talking on the level of 9 and 10 years old, can you
give me some interchangeable equations that kids could remember --
as I know that the meter, liter, and gram are interrelated. I'm
looking for things such as: 1 kg =? cubic liters? If you could give
me about ten, that would be fantastic!
Answer 3. There is no such thing as a cubic liter, but rather, a
liter is a cubic decimeter. Mass and Volume are not equivalent
things, for example, a liter of air has less mass than a liter of
water so they have different weights. I already offered to mail you
a free SI Ruler that lists those interrelationships but you
responded saying that you don't want it. See
http://metricpioneer.com/shop/ruler/ for more detail. One liter of
water fills one cubic decimeter and weighs one kilogram. So, one
thousand liters of water fill one cubic meter and weigh one ton. Be
cautious though; this equation works for water, but not for matter
of different densities. Have a look at that ruler again and peruse
it in its entirety.
David Pearl MetricPioneer.com 503-428-4917
----- Message from l-daw...@att.net ---------
Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2013 19:36:50 +0000
From: Metric Pioneer <l-daw...@att.net>
Subject: Questions -- if you would be so kind to answer
To: cont...@metricpioneer.com
From: Linda Dawson <l-daw...@att.net>
Subject: Questions -- if you would be so kind to answer
Message Body:
Hi, David,
My children's book should be coming to you shortly. I know you
know a lot more about metrics than I do. I was wondering if you
could enlighten me.
1. I know this is a guesstimate, but when do you think the U.S.
will go metric? 5 years? 10 years? ?
2. Do you see it as a gradual transition? How did other
countries, such as Britain, make the change and how many years did
it take?
3. Talking on the level of 9 and 10 years old, can you give me
some interchangeable equations that kids could remember -- as I
know that the meter, liter, and gram are interrelated. I'm looking
for things such as: 1 kg =? cubic liters? If you could give me
about ten, that would be fantastic! I know this is the holiday
season, so you can answer this very long e-mail at your convenience
or answer part of it and finish later. Most grateful, Linda
l-daw...@att.net
--
This mail is sent via contact form on Metric Pioneer
http://metricpioneer.com/
----- End message from l-daw...@att.net -----
----- End message from l-daw...@att.net -----
