Hello! My name is Carl Sorenson, and I am new to the mailing list. I tried sending this message before, and I am not sure if it was delivered (I didn't get it from the mailing list). I subscribed a few days ago and have been watching the conversation that has been going on. There seem to be a lot of Europeans writing (I'm American).
Nikolay, I noticed that you are at BYU. I'm at BYU too (and I will be for a few more years). I made this a long email, but I won't need to send very many this way. I want to respond to what John (kilopascal) said. >You just don't understand the American way of doing things. Let me explain: >First, you find out what way everyone else is doing it. >Second, just to be different, you do it the exact opposite. And make a big >effort to force your way on the world. >When the world rejects American methods, America responds with spite and >nastiness, insisting the world is full of anti-American ingrates who hate >America, who hate freedom and democracy, and want to force the great America >to follow their inferior practices. >Americans believe that America became great because of American methods and >the world is jealous of American greatness. Get the point! >It is the matter of the US wanting to be different, so it can brag that its >difference is the right way and everyone else is wrong. This is why the >metric battle is being lost. > >John I don't know where you're from, but I am American and I know what we think. I would also like to remind you that this is the mailing list for the *U.S.* Metric Association. Your whining is offensive to most Americans (my roommate agrees with me). Fortunately, it is also very inaccurate. I have data to back that up. Americans are perfectly aware that the metric system is better. We have not changed yet because most people are simply more used to the other system, and change implies cost and risk. Wealthy nations tend to be conservative, and we are no exception. Also, as the world's largest economy and as the producer of much of the scientific research, technological progress, etc., of course we are used to getting our own way. If any other country had as many people and as much military and economic power, they also would be used to getting their own way. It is encouraging that despite our power, so many of us still want to use the metric system. I conducted a small survey to see what people think, and the results are encouraging (the survey is at the end of this email). I have heard a few scenarios of what the future may hold for metrication: 1. FFU will spread it's influence like a cancer (from John) 2. Critical mass will be reached with metrication and the U.S. will become metricated in as little as a decade. (I don't remember who it's from) I expect that the truth lies somewhere in the middle, where it has a tendency to lie. Americans tend to be familiar with metric, but not as familiar as with inches-pounds. Most of us don't really care what unit something is in when we buy stuff at the supermarket, or even notice. I would, since I am a metric enthusiast, but most Americans buy 2-liters of soft drinks without a second thought. Four shampoo bottles in my bathroom have rounded metric sizes (I have five roommates, so we have a lot). We learn metric in school if we study any science at all. I have some ideas about what the U.S. should do to metricate while avoiding the intense opposition that always seems to surface. 1. I think most people would not mind metric-only labeling in supermarkets. This would really help metric-compliant manufacturers. 2. I like the idea of metric units on driver's licenses. People don't really pay much attention to the licenses, but they would start to learn height and weight in metric. 3. We should not push for metricating American sports--American football will probably always use yards, and I think that is ok. Any politician who would advocate otherwise will lose the election. 4. Don't undefine or unlegalize non-metric measures. That could not happen until we are all metricated, or companies would be in big trouble (not to mention all of our laws). 5. I think the biggest thing we could do would be to allow corporations to get a tax write-off for metrication-related expenses. A write-off could tip the scales toward metrication. Even if only 5% of expenses were metric, that would be a huge improvement because it would encourage metric skills, manufacturing, product lines, awareness, etc. Americans follow a profit motive. Question: what does FFU stand for? If it is something profane, I'd rather not know what it is (you can never tell). What should I call the current U.S. system? I wanted to learn what people thought about the metric system, so I conducted a survey. The survey was given to 18 people at my school, Brigham Young University. I knew most of the people, but I don't think very many knew that I was a metric enthusiast, or if they did, they still voted against it sometimes. As far as I know, they were all university students, young, Republican, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One was from Italy, and was very in favor of metrication (obviously). How much do you: 5. use the metric system in your classes? Frequently Sometimes Occasionally Rarely 4 5 2 6 6. use the metric system in conversation? Frequently Sometimes Occasionally Rarely 1 2 6 9 7. hear another person use the metric system? Frequently Sometimes Occasionally Rarely 0 4 8 6 8. read a publication which uses the metric system? Frequently Sometimes Occasionally Rarely 2 7 4 5 9. understand metric quantities that you hear or read? Frequently Sometimes Occasionally Rarely 12 3 1 2 For the following questions, indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the statement. 10. The metric system is better than the customary system of measurement. Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree 8 6 3 1 0 11. Supermarket should be allowed to sell food labeled only in metric quantities (such as liters and grams). Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree 3 2 9 4 0 12. The U.S. should switch to the metric system rather than the current system. Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree 5 8 3 1 1 13. I feel pretty comfortable with the metric system if I hear others use it or if I read it. Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree 7 8 2 1 0 14. Why do you think that the customary (English) system is so dominant in the United States? various answers
