This is a question that was posted on Quora with my reply below it. I
might have omitted an item or two that would be pertinent to the list
but I think I got my point across. Quora is an online community net that
features anecdotes as well as debates on various issues. The metric
system is a commonly seen topic for debate or (less commonly) for
requests on how to use it.
==============
Which is better, freedom units or metric units? Why?
James Frysinger, Metric Consultant
I have no idea what “freedom” units are. I am conversant with US
Customary units which we by and large inherited from Great Britain. (I
guess our break away from them was not complete!) But I greatly prefer
to use metric units, which the US helped to develop. So do many
Americans and indeed the US is about 70 % metricated now.
I like the metric system since there are only 29 unit names and only one
set of scaling prefixes which are decimal. (Scaling is a matter of
moving the decimal point then changing to the appropriate prefix. Forget
factors of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 16, etc.) The system is easy to use and easy
to relate to. (A kilogram of water occupies about 1 liter. A meter is
“hip high” or about the height of the usual door knob.)
Those who wish to shun the metric system’s units should give up things
consumers use to measure them with.
1. They should quit taking pharmaceuticals, since all of those are
specified in metric units. Even medical records are transitioning to
metric units now. (Your doctor may speak to you in terms of pounds, but
increasingly the doctor’s computer program will convert those to kilograms.)
2. They should quit using electrical and electronic appliances and
devices since electrical units have been metric all along.
3. They should quit using weather reports since the National
Weather Service and NOAA use metric units, though the NWS provides its
reports and forecasts in both metric and US Customary units. (Go to
http://www.nws.gov and you can select the units you prefer. Near the
bottom of the page toggle between “International System of Units” and
“English Units”.)
4. They should not purchase, operate, or ride in any cars since the
automotive industry went metric decades ago.
5. They should be choosy about which bicycles they purchase since
many of those now are metric.
6. They should not drink any wines or spirits since the units used
for those have been metric for decades.
7. They should not watch (or participate in) any track and field
events, swim meets, or Olympics since they are metric.
8. They should be careful what they purchase in grocery stores
since more and more items are coming out in metric sizes.
9. They should not use seconds in measuring or specifying times
since the second of time is a metric unit.
I guess that if you are going to use only “freedom units” (whatever
those are) you’re abide by the list above. What a drab and dingy life
that would be!
How can that be called “freedom” if you have to give up all those things?
--
James R. Frysinger
632 Stoney Point Mtn Rd
Doyle TN 38559-3030
(C) 931.212.0267
(H) 931.657.3107
(F) 931.657.3108
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