I think that the most persuasive thing that can be put forth is the
steady growth in the adoption of the metric system. Tell them that 96 %
of the world's people now use the metric system for almost all of their
measurements, including their mundane daily tasks such as shopping for
clothes and food. Tell them that, starting in 2000, 48 states now allow
metric-only labeling. Tell them that plans are afoot to allow
metric-only labeling at the federal level. Tell them that major U.S.
industries and businesses routinely design and build in metric. Tell
them that in 1988 Congress declared the metric system to be the
preferred system of measurement in the U.S. Tell them that, therefore,
it would be foolish to design in non-metric units only to redesign later.
That should take about 60 seconds.
Jim
Amy Wang wrote:
Hello everyone,
I am a recent graduate who did a master's thesis on the metric system.
Coincidentally, I have been nominated as one of 20 young designers to
speak at a national design conference on October 11th (National Metric
Week!) in front of 2,500 designers, design educators, and design
commentators. Each of us has 60 seconds to speak on any subject, and I
want to make mine an opportunity to spread the word on metrication.
Although I have an idea what facts would most startle and impress a
newcomer audience, I think the collective experience on this mailing
list is greater than my own knowledge any day. So I am writing you for
your input: what are the most memorable news items you've seen recently
on this subject? To an initially indifferent public, what are facts that
you've discovered to be most memorable to them? I am looking for facts
that can be very easily and quickly conveyed in these 60 seconds.
Here is more information on the conference:
http://designconference2007.aiga.org/
Here are a few images from my thesis project. The complete campaign and
supporting arguments have been printed into 1000 books recently, which I
am going to mail out to people I hope can make a difference once they
become aware of the issue.
http://www.adobe.com/education/adaa/winners/2006/wang.html
I hope you will be willing to help me, and look forward to reading some
exciting new news articles.
Amy.
--
James R. Frysinger
632 Stony Point Mountain Road
Doyle, TN 38559-3030
(H) 931.657.3107
(C) 931.212.0267
