Dear Philip, I ran into this article of yours this morning and would like to give you my 2-cents worth, please. However, since you bring quite a few points to the table I found it would be important that I take each and every issue in sequence.
1) People's heights Sir, why in the world would *anyone* mention their heights in such unsightly fashion (1.7018 m, etc)? NO ONE in ANY metric country refers to her or his height this way. *Obviously* people would *measure* their heights with metric instruments and there, sir, one would read a clean, neat, quite acceptable and understandable 1.70 m, or 1.88 m. And if you're doing conversions (as this is what it appears you were trying to get to) you simply round it to the closest centimeter (the second decimal place). Therefore, this argument of yours is quite frankly deceptive and unrealistic to say the least. 2) Few people reporting personal data the metric way While this might be true, it's ONLY because their environment is *unfortunately* not supportive for them to be more pro-active in this regard. I, for instance, however, who live in Canada, ALWAYS refer to my height in metric, *no matter what the circumstances*! I find it it's actually a pity, sir, that people in general don't do it due to the "natural pressure" of the environment they live in. But give it time and give the government leadership on this and you'll see people being much more pro-active in the future! ;-) 3) People talking 'pint of beer', etc. Again, please see what I wrote above. Hopefully though once the government steps in we may finally be able to get rid of this non-sense muddle! I honestly don't see why in the world it would matter to refer to my *glass* of beer as a *pint* of beer! :-( Who cares, sir??? Yes, people use it because they might feel "comfortable" around those. However, this is ONLY so because of familiarity, sir! Eliminate the environment pressure on people and you'll see they'll have no problem switching. It happened in EVERY country that went through this process, why should the UK be any different??? 4) People who'd rather have the UK switch Absolutely! Why not? Why should the rest of the world enjoy the outstanding benefits of using a far superior (true!) system of units, like the SI, and the UK people be deprived of that??? This is called technology, sir! Or would you rather still ride a horse to work when you have a car at your disposal??? ;-) 5) Ignoring of populace's opinion Sir, I've always believed that when it comes to science matters it should ALWAYS be *the business of experts to decide* rather than engage "laymen" in the decision-making component of it. Imagine if you had to "check with the public", or get their blessing/approval for every new product we bring to the market! It would simply be ludicrous. Therefore, the UKMA is right in trying to muster the *authorities* engagement on an issue that befalls *them* to decide, and NOT the population at large! 6) The country didn't want it This should actually be a continuation of 5 above. Sir, NO country in this planet has EVER made this type of switch by public consultation. This is simply the *prerogative* of government authorities to do so! It's right there, written in the country's constitution (please check your own to verify that this is true, even in the case of the American constitution this is ALSO so!). It's unfortunately due to the cowardice of these governments that metrication has not been complete both in the UK and in the USA! Shame on the politicians indeed. 7) Stealth approach It's actually disgraceful that metrication would have to be introduced ANYWHERE using this approach. If governments lived up more to their DUTY to do so and this situation would not have emerged in the UK, USA, or even in my country! Disgraceful, utterly disgraceful! 8) UK's breach of EU's directive You're right, UK IS in breach of the directive requiring it to set a date for 'K-Day', so why haven't British authorities done so yet, again?... Again, disgraceful! 9) 'Why on earth should we?' You're asking the wrong question, sir. You should rather be asking, why shouldN'T we??? Please see point #4 above. 10) It would cost millions This is a huge fallacy that opponents to progress love to throw at SI-proponents. The truth though is that such costs are actually FAR less than what scare-mongers would have the population believe! There is AMPLE proof to that effect from the experience of countries like Canada, Australia, etc. Please read those reports to learn of the *truth* instead of continuing to trumpet this false myth. You're a journalist, right? So, why don't you fulfill your duty in telling the public the REAL truth on this matter? Just a suggestion... ;-) 11) Reasons unpersuasive Actually, again, you're making the wrong statement. It's *imperial* defendants that should provide persuasive arguments NOT to join the rest of the planet in this endeavor? From a technical perspective, I'm sorry, but only a blind individual would not see the benefits of switching, and BTW I can't quite understand why you'd call metric proponents' arguments 'unpersuasive'! EVERY reputable metrologist from ANY country agrees that the SI system is FAR superior to imperial. What else do you need, sir? Ah, BTW, the overwhelming majority of metric users around the world agrees with them! Why would that be, sir? Have you ever stopped to think about that for a moment? The undeniable truth, sir, is that SI beats the heck out of imperial ALSO and ESPECIALLY where it matters the most: practicity! What else, again I ask, would you need??? 12) Weather mix-up of units I guess you failed to understand the UKMA's argument in this regard. It's not that the mish-mesh would not work, but that it is simply plain silly that one would ever use such a mix-up of units. Why not adhere to the KISS principle, why put up with such an insightly mess, when one can avoid it? There IS (really!) no benefit whatsoever in continuing to use such combination of archaic and new units. It just doesn't make any sense. Should an individual put a saddle on a car and wear his boots when driving a vehicle??? I mean, if you use metric, use metric. If you use new technology stick to new technology. It just makes sense! 13) Rip-off in sales in the retail sector You're right, there is room for such to occur. However, make it ultimately metric only and you'll see that opportunity disappear before your eyes! Therefore, it's in the public's best interest that metric finally wins this war!!! 14) Cultural empathy Sir, let me suggest you look up the word culture in your dictionary. There are 3 *critical* elements that something MUST fulfill before it can be considered of this realm: be of the domain of *arts*, be *unique*, and be a characteristic of *one people*. The last I saw, a system of measurement units fails them ALL!!! If not, let's see, shall we? One learns it at a **science** class. Feet, inches, etc, are NOT unique as many countries used THE SAME concept in their earlier systems, and it's certainly NOT a characteristic of one country only (unless, of course, you want to be in the not so enviable position of being the only country left in NOT using the SI system!... ;-) ). 15) 'gods' of uniformity and modernity Sir, this has NOTHING to do with 'pushing this down anyone's throats' in the 'name of such gods', but rather using common sense. In a world that is becoming more and more globalized, it's simply unreasonable, inescapable that one uses ONLY ONE system of measurements. It just doesn't make ANY sense doing otherwise! So, please, let culture do what it wants and let progress take its course, shall we? People will still go the whole nine yards, not touch something with a ten-foot pole, etc. These are NOT measurement stuff as one can simply not *weigh* an ounce of prevention, etc! Please, do not confuse this with the other. 16) People's freedom Sir, of course people would STILL have the freedom to say 'just a metre away from a 20 ft bus' in spite of metrication! However, when it comes to TRADE, ECONOMICS, OFFICIAL COMM and DOCUMENTATION, there are laws that must be adhered to! I can't care less if you choose to use such mix-up of old and new, but when it comes to *technical* stuff I sure want that we be able to communicate with each other properly and legally. As I said before, language expressions will likely never go away, but so what? Who cares if one says an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? And so what if centuries down the road that eventually gets changed to a gram of prevention is worth a kilo of cure? And if it doesn't, fine by me, BTW! But when it comes to progress, sir, indeed, give me '25.4 millimeters and (I) will take 1.609 kilometers' anyday, anytime!!! ;-) Respectfully, Marcus Canada ===== Jesus ONLY settles for THE best, so what excuse can you possibly give to NOT go SI??? ______________________________________________________________________ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
