I am not sure it is the metric system that people are afraid of.  Most people I 
know will admit that the metric system would be better, but they have 
absolutely no interest in changing.  In fact, many of those who admit that the 
metric system would be better would still actively oppose conversion because 
they think it will be too much trouble

Arithmophobia is the fear of numbers generally, but can also refer to the fear 
of math, numerals, certain numbers, calculations, and/or calculus'

From the  RightStart™ 
Math<https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frightstartmath.com%2Fauthor%2Fviadmin%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cusma%40lists.colostate.edu%7C88f871ff6cd44b51aa5008d81178b000%7Cafb58802ff7a4bb1ab21367ff2ecfc8b%7C0%7C0%7C637278557338317969&amp;sdata=y%2FB6TXsILLvj3K9wjCQ5ma5uSO6RkVRVwyHQtw8o%2FNY%3D&amp;reserved=0>
  educational website October 30. 2018


Math anxiety can be thought of as a learned fear of numbers or anything to do 
with math. It results in feelings of tension and fear at the sight of numbers 
or math symbols, causing poor performance in math, especially on tests. Sadly, 
in the U.S., over 50 percent of people have math anxiety.


We know that conversion does not need to involve a lot of math. Two liter soda 
bottles and half liter water bottles were just accepted without a thought. 
However, the problem is that people's perception is that it will involve a lot 
a math.  In fact, people's math anxiety is so bad all you have to do is show 
them a simple conversion table and they will immediately and completely zone 
out.  "Public education" programs will never work, and, in fact, would probably 
be counterproductive because math and charts would be involved.

The only way conversion will happen is organically with metric only labeling 
options, businesses manufacturing products in metric packaging, and by TV, 
movies, and organizations (including news organizations) using metric units 
more often.

Al Lawrence




________________________________
From: USMA <[email protected]> on behalf of Ressel, Howard R 
(DOT) <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 4:47 AM
To: Paul Trusten <[email protected]>
Cc: USMA List Server <[email protected]>
Subject: [USMA 1466] Re: Metricophobia

Along with your coinage of WOMBAT correct?
(Way of measuring badly in America today)

Howard

-----Original Message-----
From: USMA <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Trusten
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2020 5:03 AM
Cc: USMA List Server <[email protected]>
Subject: [USMA 1465] Re: Metricophobia

ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or 
click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails.

If this is a new coinage of words, I beat them to it, in theory.

Run a search On the “Metric Today“ CD archive for the word “metrophobia,” 
which, about 15 years ago, I defined as fear of measurement change.

Paul Trusten
Midland, Texas
[email protected]


> On Jun 12, 2020, at 22:59, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Metricophobia.
>
> An irrational fear and/or hatred of the Metric system.
>
> Nothing sets off someone's metricophobia by hearing, "Yeah, but what is that 
> in metric?"
>
> From "Urban Dictionary"
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