On Thu, 18 Oct 2001 12:11:10 Jim Elwell wrote: >Marcus writes: > >> Hi, Jim, long time no see... :-) Sorry, but please >> allow me to participate in this discussion, shall I?... > >I've been traveling a lot, and have been unable to keep up with >this forum. However, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't >chimed in here! > It's always a pleasure debating when you're involved, Jim. I feel this is so because you play clean, are intelligent, articulate and always do it at a high level! We may differ in our opinions at times, but I sense we always respect each other! :-)
>> ?? Would you recommend that we just be quiet about >> it? That we in the meantime put up with this crap? >> Not in a thousand years, Jim!!! > >I am NOT recommending that pro-metricationists just shut up. >Shout it from the rooftops: "METRIC IS BETTER!" > >However, if you shout "AMERICANS ARE STUPID" from the rooftops, >you will be hurting the cause... I agree with you 100%, you're absolutely right! I hope you did not take my pitching in as a defence of this line of reasoning. I NEVER use such a line. I prefer to respect every people. I was evidently defending the "speaking up" approach, not the nastiness of how to do it! >The ONLY avenue open to us is proselytizing. It is much more >effective if you don't offend the audience. (I'm not ignoring >legislation, but even there you have to proselytize the >law-makers.) > Correct! Offending the audience is always a no-no! As for proselytizing being the 'only' way, I honestly don't know (haven't given it much thought yet...). ... >> ? Are you serious, Jim? Ok, today is 18 Oct 2001. >> I'll put this date down in my agenda. I'll talk to >> you on this on 18 Oct 2021. Let's see what would have >> happened then. I wanna bet my neck that it will >> largely be the same as it has been for the last 100 >> years or so. With, actually, a slight chance of its >> being a little worse!!!... ;-) > >We've been over this before, and, yes, I guess I'm just much more >of an optimist than you, Marcus. Indeed... :-) But I'd categorize myself as just a realist/prudent/cautious... I see a 500 mL bottle coming >from the backwoods of Maine, and I know we are making progress. >Not because it is one example, but because it shows metric is >penetrating into areas it has not been before. > Fine, but you should also pay attention to those other areas where what may be happening is just the opposite, like with the recent DOTs fiasco, METAR report in aviation, etc. The problem, for both of us, actually, is that unfortunately noone is keeping strict tabs on it to find out unequivocally whether there has been *real* progress or not. Hence, for now, we can both still pretty much defend both our points-of-view on the issue of progress with certain ease... :-S >However, I'm taking you up on your bet. On 18 October 2021, if >the USA has made substantial progress in metrication, you owe me >your neck. Ok, maybe just dinner. If it hasn't, I'll buy you >dinner. > He, he... Of course... Anf for once I *R-E-A-L-L-Y* wouldn't mind and would love to lose this one! :-) >In the meantime, I'm going to do all I can to spread the word, >while making a conscious effort not to offend those I am trying >to convince. >... Excellent! Therefore, let's carry on, shall we?... Marcus Get 250 color business cards for FREE! http://businesscards.lycos.com/vp/fastpath/
