On Thu, 11 Apr 2002 21:31:11 Duncan Bath wrote: ... >>Sorry, but I can't agree with you. True the issue of forcing people to use >whatever system'' may exist. But who is (or should be) "they"??? I'm >volunteering that this should be competent, skillful, knowledge people IN >THE AREA OF METROLOGY. Individuals whose professional lives are dedicated >to this specific issue. > >It is the place of the "experts" to advise the politicians, not dictate >policy. >The politicians ARE elected; the scientists are not.
? True, law is the realm of politicians by and large. However, given the nature of the subject it would make sense to lift this burden from their shoulders and trust the judgment of the experts on this, ultimately yielding power on the definition and legality of units to them. If Congress is reticent on doing that, well... Allow the experts to take over and do it. Who better than they to know what's proper or not. Politicians know squawt about it! Besides, everyone knows how difficult it is to get things done when you have to have the collaboration of politicians. It's a *pain in the... you know where*! Also, it's government's responsibility to make sure progress comes to society in the speediest most effective and efficient way. If it takes this backdoor approach to expedite that, why not try it? ... >>And just to complete the thought. Measurements AND units ARE fundamental >properties of the universe indeed! > >No, no, MaBe. There are umpteen ways to define and measure the properties >of the universe. >In the Old Testament, they didn't have SI, yet they described the universe >as well as they could. >We [SI'ers] happen to believe (with considerable reason) that SI is the best >language with which to describe creation that has, so far, been developed. I'm afraid you misunderstood me, Duncan. Sure, there are tons of arbitrary sizes that one can adopt for purposes of serving as parameters of reference. However, it doesn't deny the fact that *whatever it is* it MUST be rigorously defined and properly used. The inch wouldn't cut it if it were still defined as some stupid number of barleycorns, whatever. Using the inch is akin to using quarters, dimes and nickels for counting money! It's just plain stupid! Besides, what is *defined* and have the support of science is the meter, nothing else. The inch crap is just a crutch and a clever way to avoid using the real thing. People are just kidding themselves into believing that the imperial system exists. It doesn't! And no artificial calling of specific sizes like the inch, pound and whatever other nonsense there is will change that. Marcus Is your boss reading your email? ....Probably Keep your messages private by using Lycos Mail. Sign up today at http://mail.lycos.com
