Dear Gene, Jim, and All,
During the broadcast of the winter Olympics there was some discussion about
the speeds obtained by the luge. Gene Mechtly, I think, argued for metres
per second and Jim Frysinger argued for kilometres per hour.
I would like to make two remarks on this matter, one personal and one of a
more general nature.
1 When Jim translated 145 km/h into 40.3 m/s, it was the first time that I
ever 'visualised' a speed. I envisaged the width of two house allotments in
my street (20 metres each) and counted out a second by saying aloud , 'one
second'. For comparison, a car going past takes about 2.4 seconds to pass
two house lots at the speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour.
2 The issue of the 'correct' unit raises the issue of our goals in the
move toward SI � or should that be the move toward metric. I will remind you
of a portion of a piece I wrote on how to delay the introduction of SI.
Don't set definite goals
Say things like 'let's change to metric' without setting any definite goals
or timelines. Avoid statements like:
The science and engineering departments of this institution will use SI
units exclusively from 2001-12-31. SI is defined as the units that are
modelled on those contained in the Bureau International de Poids et Mesures
(BIPM) document 'The International System of Units' in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, and 8; however, the prefixes hecto, deca, deci, and centi will not be
used. Copies of 'The International System of Units' are freely available
from www.bipm.fr.
Or:
Our manufacturing group will use metric units exclusively from 2001-12-31.
Metric is defined as the units that are modelled on the units contained in
Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the Bureau International de Poids et Mesures
(BIPM) document 'The International System of Units'; however, the prefixes
hecto, deca, deci, and centi will not be used. Copies of 'The International
System of Units' are freely available from www.bipm.fr.
Remember to avoid goals that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Realistic, and Timed). SMART goals are very likely to achieve metrication
smoothly and rapidly.
Cheers,
Pat Naughtin
CAMS - Certified Advanced Metrication Specialist
- United States Metric Association
ASM - Accredited Speaking Member
- National Speakers Association of Australia
Member, International Federation for Professional Speakers
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