I have great respect for Paul Trusten (father of
WOMBAT) who has pushed metrication for a long time. I
don't think I have the knowledge or credentials or
background or experience to challenge Paul. But I sure
as hell hope that Paul is wrong as hell in his gloomy
summary of the prospects for expeditious metrication.
I am going to fret over his comments a bit and then
I'll be back with something more to say.
I hope that others will stew over his comments a bit
and give us a bit more analysis.
What are our goals?
In the best case, what do we hope to achieve?
In the worst case, when and what do we hope to do?
What are the odds?
What do you think is likely?
Sincerely committed to metrication NOW,
Andy Johnson
--- Paul Trusten <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Date: Sun, 01 Apr 2001 16:13:14 -0500
> From: Paul Trusten <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-to: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Organization: @Home Network
> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [USMA:11988] my realistic thoughts on
> metrication
>
> (In reply to that question offered from our Yahoo
> group)
>
> Now, all of you know that I am pro-metric. I've
> participated on this
> mailing list for almost four years, and have been
> involved with the
> metrication issue since before the passage of the
> 1975 MCA. Heck, I even
> coined the term WOMBAT. But, I fear that, ceteris
> paribus, the prospects
> for quick US metrication have grown dim with the
> passage of time.
>
> In the US, there has been increased anti-metric
> zealotry, primarily
> among those who see US metrication as contributing
> to the arrival of the
> anti-Christ ("the mark", no money passing without it
> being recorded, the
> New World Order, etc.). Softer versions of this
> zealotry imply that the
> US is giving in to world domination by adopting SI,
> and this doctrine
> tends to seep into the consciousness of the average
> American. But also,
> my own view of US metrication is that it will excite
> what I (and author
> Alvin Toffler) refer to as "Future Shock", a process
> in which there are
> too many changes in our daily lives with which we
> are uncomfortable (one
> bellweather for metrication is my Dad, who says, "I
> couldn't be
> bothered".) My number one ingredient for US
> metrication has been that it
> must be inspiring, and I see nothing among
> present-day US society to
> inspire this change.
>
> There is only one thing that will do it quickly---an
> economic disaster.
> If this economic disaster includes problems with US
> global competition,
> then metrication will become a top national
> priority. It will be then
> that the participants in this listserv can serve as
> the first US Metric
> Board, and breathlessly share its expertise with a
> nervous government
> and nervous CEOs. Gosh darn it, why the US
> government and the industrial
> captains don't see SI as a hedge against global
> trouble NOW, baffles me.
> I suppose T. Jefferson applies here: "Mankind are
> more disposed to
> suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right
> themselves by
> abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
> (US Declaration of
> Independence [from Britain], July 2, 1776).
>
> In a reasonably good economy,I do not see
> metrication happening "now",
> or "soon". By osmosis, it might happen in about 50
> years, one mOsml at a
> time. But, if we suddenly encounter a Rooseveltian
> depression, then,
> IMHO,US metrication will become a sacrament.
> --
> Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
> 3609 Caldera Boulevard, Apt. 122
> Midland TX 79707-2872 USA
> (915)-694-6208
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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