|
Mr. Johnston,
Thanks for writing back.
Regarding your remark about UK metrication being "far
advanced"---apparently, UKMA, and certainly I, feel that the state of UK (and
U.S.!) metrication is poor when compared to countries that have fully
integrated, and have taken full advantage of, the International System of
Units as was intended by its designers. Besides its universality, the value
of SI as a standard of measurement is its ease and coherency of use.
An analogy would be the if the UK had decided to retain two systems of
currency beyond 1971. I don't think many Britons would want the pound sometimes
divided into 100 pence and at other times divided into shillings and pence using
non-decimal numeration. The adage goes that time is money, but, in the 21st
century, time can also be reckoned as measurement. Concerning the cost and
effort of conversion, I believe it is indeed worthwhile. Yes, there is a cost,
but the expenditures end when the conversion process is completed. As the
UKMA report suggested, the cost and effort would have been over and done with
long ago in your country (and in mine! The U.S. was considering a good
metrication plan in the 1970s) had the governments of the time found the
courage to lead the way and set the pace.
Thanks again,
Paul Trusten
----- Original Message -----
Sent: 04 Jul 15,Thursday 05:57
Subject: Re: your "Metric Meddlers"
column in the Telegraph
Dear Mr Trusten
Many thanks for your email and for taking the
trouble to write.
Of course I concede there are many who think the
present system in the UK and America is unsatisfactory but it is not such a
mess that it requires the enormous and expensive commitment involved in the
enforced removal of the final imperial measurements, not least because here in
Britain metrication is already pretty far advanced.
It could be, and has been, argued that some old
fashioned measurements are even more precise than metric units. Many of our
standard products are now sold showing metric measurements, this is true, but
many of those products, whilst notated in metric, are actually measured in
imperial.
I am always glad to hear from people who do not
share the views expressed in the column (and there have been quite a few, I
can tell you.)
Best wishes
Philip Johnston.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 5:09
PM
Subject: your "Metric Meddlers" column
in the Telegraph
Dear Mr. Johnston,
Thank you for your lively response in the
Telegraph concerning the recent UKMA report and
the metric system in the U.K.. Although I am a citizen of that country
which remains "the exception," I am an avid supporter of the adoption of
metric as the official, and everyday, standard of measurement for
use in the United States.
I value uniformity and modernity in
measurement, not as "twin gods", but as twin pillars of
thought. These qualities have advanced our respective societies towards
better health and greater convenience. Measurement is a form
of science, and should be available to our people as a precision
tool instead of a cavedweller's twig. That the whole world will soon
complete the adoption of this precision tool is a victory, and not
a failure, for human sensitivity. I hope you will consider joining such
an effort.
Sincerely,
Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
3609 Caldera Blvd., Apt.
122
Midland TX 79707-2872 USA
+1
432-694-6208
|
