Adrian Jadic wrote:
....
> As much as I agree with what you say I will try to convince you that the
> whole scenario has one principal flaw. It will not work because even if the
> lawmakers will rule the SI in, the population will generate so much
> resistance which will gain strength by the multitude of ifp standards that
> make metric life impossible so that the country will be forced to reverse
> course much like it did in '75.
I think that we agree about the need to reduce popular resistance.
> The standards have to be changed first same like the labels on consumer
> goods so that when the law gets voted the ground for it has already been
> prepared and it looks like a logical step as it does today in UK.
There is a lot of merit in what you say here, Adrian. Where we have
been putting our emphasis is on labeling. For example, if we could get
the FDA to require energy statements in joules instead of calories, that
would help.
> And please be assured that my intervention on metric standards is not due to
> my misunderstanding USMA's role, but because I truly believe that the US
> will never advance in metrication if we continue denying the crucial role of
> implementing hard metric standards before we take a vote on metrication.
Here is perhaps the crux of our disagreement -- which standards to
push. European countries apparently seem to favor government
determination of proper and allowable product sizes. We in America tend
not to go for that except for a few products, such as liquor and wine.
We are used to the sizes of most products being all over the map,
precisely why choosing A4 paper is not seen as choosing a metric
product; it is merely a different size. Did the move from 5-1/4 inch
disks to 90 mm disks cause Americans to view computers as going metric?
> To answer your argument:
>
> No Jim, 60 Hz is as metric as 50 Hz but if the standards for electric motors
> will not change to hard metric then people will always use the HP ratings
> and present ANSI mountings which are ifp based and refer to shafts as 1" and
> keys as 1/4 etc. ...
I agree pretty much with your comments here!
> Finally, I was not saying that USMA should embark on the task of changing US
> standards, (although I don't know who else) but all I was saying is that, at
> least, we should stop declaring that we don't promote international
> standards because this statement is to a great extent incompatible with
> USMA's goal.
I give up on trying to change your mind on this.
> I will love to take more time to debate on your letter but my younger
> daughter turns 1 year old tomorrow and we have a lot of things to do and my
> wife is killing me!
>
> I hope that I made my point clear enough though.
Froeliche Geburtstag to your daughter, Adrian. Believe me, your English
is very much better than my German!
Tschuss!
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
