"The Metric System didnt catch on in the United States, except in really
annoying ways. For example, there's a hypothetical pair of fake diamond
stud earrings online. Their diameter is noted in Millimeters." Kristen
Petry in the Naples FL Herald
It is Petry who is out of touch. I have noticed a decided increase in the
use of metric units on television, not only on news programs but also on
the home-shopping networks. Jewelry is now given in millimeter
measurements, as are men's and women's watches. That has surprised me
because computer screen sizes are still given in inches instead of
centimeters. For example, a common laptop size is given as 15.7 inches.
Obviously, that is 40 centimeters "dumbed down."
I have confidence that this hodgepodge will all be straightened out sooner
than most people imagine. The impact of international commerce and
technology, which is metric, is strong and will overcome mindless
opposition without a pointless fight, as we had in the 1970s and early
1980s.
By the way, Jim (Frysinger), I recall the situation with the U.S. Metric
Board exactly as you did. The board was pointless. It operated like the
United Nations: all talk and no action. Better to get the government
hindrance out of the way and let commerce rule the day. Essentially, this
is what the Metric Act stated. Its establishment of metric as the
primarily measurement system was based primarily on commercial needs.
--Martin Morrison, Metric Today
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