Killpatric often uses a bit of mild self-deprecation to make a point.
That's his style. He was making some observations, not asserting some
points of view.
Jim
On Sunday 09 September 2001 14:01, kilopascal wrote:
> 2001-09-09
>
> Jim,
>
> I'm not arguing the right or wrong of using the word "times" to
> describe something smaller. I'm just saying I don't have a problem
> understanding it when it is used. And I don't see why anyone else
> should either.
>
> I thought he could have expanded on the poor use of FFU to promote
> SI, or the use of wrong sized units to make things appear bigger or
> smaller than they actually are. Even though he did touch on these
> points, he didn't seem to take it anywhere.
>
> But, then again, I don't think he is going to agree with your letter
> on metric usage, especially when he wrote this:
>
> .....Speak to us not of decimals. We suppose these are units for the
> measurement of sound.......
>
> He is assuming that people, I'm sure himself included confuses
> deciMAls with deciBEls.
>
> But, it is good to bring it up anyway.
>
> And note, he seems to be mocking algebra:
>
> ....If told that 4x equals 2y, when 'y' equals 12, we smell a rat. It
> is our nature. Why should 'x' be six? It seems highly unlikely.....
>
>
> John
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "James R. Frysinger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Sunday, 2001-09-09 13:37
> Subject: [USMA:15155] Re: Fwd: Innumerate Journalists
>
> > kilopascal wrote:
> > > 2001-09-09
> > >
> > > It seems from the link Nat provided, this guy's main beef is with
> > > using
>
> the
>
> > > word "times" when used describe something "less than".
> > >
> > > http://www.uexpress.com/coveringthecourts/
> > >
> > > I'm sorry, but I have no trouble understanding that when
> > > something is 5 times less than something else, that means the
> > > same thing as 0.2 or 20
>
> %.
>
> > > If he and others have trouble, that is their problem. ...
> >
> > Then I reckon I'll have to come to grips with being a person who
> > has a problem with this type of construction. Perhaps it's because
> > I read more scientific literature than newspapers; the journals I
> > read do not use it. Nor do I allow students to use it in their lab
> > reports.
> >
> > I'm not being sarcastic about your opinion, John; I'm merely
> > reporting my understanding (or lack thereof) of that construction
> > and the possible reason for it.
> >
> > Clear alternatives to its use are readily available so I don't care
> > to change my opinion about this construction. Therefore there is no
> > use in trying to sway me.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> > --
> > Metric Methods(SM) "Don't be late to metricate!"
> > James R. Frysinger, CAMS http://www.metricmethods.com/
> > 10 Captiva Row e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Charleston, SC 29407 phone/FAX: 843.225.6789
--
James R. Frysinger University/College of Charleston
10 Captiva Row Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
Charleston, SC 29407 66 George Street
843.225.0805 Charleston, SC 29424
http://www.cofc.edu/~frysingj [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cert. Adv. Metrication Specialist 843.953.7644
