At 10:15 AM, 8 October 2002 +0800, Mike Joy wrote: >But it has become apparent through reading all the postings and other >literature, that it looks like the USA is only going to switch to the use >of the SI system ONLY as a result of a major disaster. >... >The US has, however, a huge number of people who don't wish to change at >all, citing their 'liberty' and 'freedom' as excuses without seeing the >obvious >benefits. >...
You won't be surprised to hear me say that this is way too pessimistic, for one big reason: the USA is ALREADY converting to metric. No, we aren't doing it quickly, and there will be vestiges of colloquial measurement around for another 100 years, but it is undeniable, incontrovertible, inarguable that this country IS metricating right now. If you want us to be metric next year or the year after, you are probably right: nothing short of a disaster of some type could make that happen. But much of the non-consumer sector of the country is already mostly metric (military, autos, electronics, etc.), metric is already creeping into the consumer world, and it's going to be an accelerating process. The best way I can say it is this: 20 years ago if you walked into an American grocery store, metric was essentially non-existent. Today, there are several sections that have lots of metric (beverages, oils & vinegars, shampoos and cosmetics), others that have some metric (detergents, pet food), and a few holdout areas with very little metric. This IS progress, and it WILL inevitably accelerate. I suggest you go to the USMA web site and see all the consumer products in metric. Maybe that will help cure your pessimism about the USA and the metric system. Jim Elwell, CAMS Electrical Engineer Industrial manufacturing manager Salt Lake City, Utah, USA www.qsicorp.com
