This is one of the most sensible, thought-provoking posts we've seen around here in recent days. I echo John's thoughts below.
Great job, John! Marcus On Thu, 28 Nov 2002 10:11:12 kilopascal wrote: >2002-11-28 > >This group seems to be divided between those who want a planned, quick >metrication and those who want those "market forces" to either push >metrication or let the status quo exist. Maybe somewhere in-between is the >right answer for the US. We really don't need to have a 100 % push right >now, but we need some type of push to at least get the ball rolling. We >don't even have that. As soon as the ball does begin to roll, someone stops >it and pushes it back > >All we rally need to do is get metrication to advance to a point of critical >mass. It is at that point that we can allow metrication to proceed >unmolested or reach a high point of usage without fear of reversal to FFU. >Critical mass is the point where it becomes uneconomical to continue to use >FFU. It is a point where raw materials and finished goods only come in >metric sizes and are described only that way. Those who wish to continue in >FFU will only cause hardship on themselves. They either metricate on their >own or go out of business. > >I remember reading some years back that when the Australian construction >industry went metric at least one builder refused to change. No one told >him he couldn't keep on using FFU. But, something happened. He couldn't >buy FFU supplies. No one was making them. And those that said they could >wanted him to buy astronomical amounts at real high prices with long lead >times. In the end, he went out of business and blamed metrication for his >demise. I'm sure other builders in Australia at that time jumped for joy, >as it was one less competitor to deal with. > >The first step in this type of metrication is to define at what point >critical mass exists. Is it the 50 % point? We are supposed to be at 40 % >now, so we really need only change 10 % more if this be the case. Or is it >key industries? Many industries are metric, but let's face it, they are >metric in secret as far as Joe Six-pack is concerned. If we took a poll, >I'd bet well over 90 % of Americans would feel that the US is virtually 100 >% FFU. Their metric experiences are very limited. Metric companies and >industries have done very little to advertise their metric usage. Metric is >only used by foreigners. So, the public is unaware of any metric usage by >American companies. > >One way to promote metric is for our government (or someone else) to point >out to the country how metric we really are. And how and what being in the >middle is costing us. If it isn't the government that is going to do it, >then someone with an interest in metric can and should. How? I don't know >right now. But, with ideas and suggestions from others maybe a method can >be devised. > >What about the psychological approach? We've discussed this before. That >is where we get products such as gasoline and grocery store scales to >convert right away. This also includes such things as football fields, >weather reporting, and highway signs. Metrication of all or most of these >may push us to the point of critical mass. How? Simply by exposing the >whole country en-masse to SI. Many, especially opponents to metrication say >metrication of these areas is a waste of money and serves no purpose. OH, >but it does. These area are easy to metricate and have the effect of >exposing the most people to a working use of SI almost over night. > >Just think how quickly the masses will adapt to SI if they have to buy their >gas and food by the litre and kilogram respectively, hear only metric >weather reports, drive down metricated highways, and hear and see football >and similar sports described only in metres. And what would it cost to make >such a change? > >If the nations gasoline pumps and grocery store scales are already metric >capable and all that need be done is for a qualified person to flip a switch >or set a different code into the program, then the cost is minimal or not at >all. Weather reporting cost nothing to metricate, the reported just starts >speaking metric one day. Road signs will cost something, but their >metrication can be planned to make costs minimal. Just think of the >psychological effect it will have on the population as well as push it will >have on business as they try to keep up with the change. > >Those who believe in the market forces method of conversion really need to >come to grips with reality. The reality is nothing will change on its own. >It needs a push in the right direction and at the right time and place. > >So, folks, how do we get that ball rolling again? > >John... ____________________________________________________________ Get 25MB of email storage with Lycos Mail Plus! Sign up today -- http://www.mail.lycos.com/brandPage.shtml?pageId=plus
