Mr. Fisher ignores the higher purpose of metrication: to give the average citizen a decimal system of measurement. He also ignores the fact that metrication is intended to be complete and permanent. ----- Original Message ----- From: Han Maenen To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: 13 February, 2011 06:06 Subject: [USMA:49856] Re: Interesting anti-metric argument
Dear All, It was interesting indeed, although I do not accept these arguments, of course. This is what caught my eye: "Among them, that Airbus Industrie, the European manufacturer of jetliners, used the American (yes, American) system of measurement because it was more accurate." Just like the French Caravelle in the 50's and 60's had to be designed and built to USC, Airbus has to use USC. I think, but I am not sure, that the situation has improved and that Airbus now uses both. But the argument that USC is more 'accurate' than SI makes me howl. USC and British Imperial have been second hand metric systems since at least 1959, based on the 'metric' inch, the 'metric' pound and Imperial had the UK 'metric' gallon: The imperial (UK) gallon was legally defined as 4.54609 L. In fact, I consider USC and Imperial as todays' versions of Napoleons' second hand metric system 'the Systeme Usuel', that was based on the weights and measures of Paris, and appeared on the scene in 1812, 199 years ago, on Februay 12. An inch based on the length of three barley corns can never be used for high tech work, but an inch defined as 25.4 mm can and is used for such work. And that supposedy makes USC and Imperial more 'accurate' than SI! Greetings, Han Maenen ----- Original Message ----- From: Pat Naughtin To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Saturday, 2011, February 12 23:16 Subject: [USMA:49852] Interesting anti-metric argument Dear All, I have not met with this (1999) anti-metric argument previously. You might find it of interest. See http://www.zaimoni.com/George/Metrics.htm Cheers, Pat Naughtin LCAMS Author of the ebook, Metrication Leaders Guide, see http://metricationmatters.com/MetricationLeadersGuideInfo.html Hear Pat speak at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lshRAPvPZY PO Box 305 Belmont 3216, Geelong, Australia Phone: 61 3 5241 2008 Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that they now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or selling for their businesses. Pat provides services and resources for many different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial, industrial and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and in the USA. Pat's clients include the Australian Government, Google, NASA, NIST, and the metric associations of Canada, the UK, and the USA. See http://www.metricationmatters.com for more metrication information, contact Pat at pat.naugh...@metricationmatters.com or to get the free 'Metrication matters' newsletter go to: http://www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter to subscribe.