Let's finish the job of going metric
Published February 26, 2009 @ 06:56PM PT
Our "Adopt Metric System" forum has been added back to Change.org! Let's take this opportunity to work out how our country can finish the job of fully adopting the Metric System. It will make daily life easier for us using this logical system, and it will also improve our trade with the rest of the world which has gone almost completely metric (Photo colors ranging from green to red show metric adoption dates from early 1800s to late 1900s. Black = nonmetric. Grey= N.A. http://www.flickr.com/photos/catr/1389977616/).
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Author
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Barry Duell
- Kawagoe (Japan), OR
2 things or international cultures are not yet extensively used in USA : Esperanto International Language and Metric Measurement System. I warmly recommend them both, to PRESIDENT OBAMA. With them, I think, Americans could gain more economic advantages and international friendship. Dante Kieriko
Posted by Dante Kieriko on 03/01/2009 @ 09:12AM PT
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Australia changed to the Metric System in 10 years from about 1972 to 1982. The change went smoothly and was largely free of controversy. I am mystified why it has proved so much more difficult in the United States. If Australians can do it, why not the United States?
Posted by Michael Glass on 03/03/2009 @ 04:20AM PT
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Dear Michael, Australia was able to upgrade to the metric system quickly, smoothly, and so economically that our people, our companies, and our government have been enjoying the savings (of about 10%) since the mid-1970s. Australia was able to do this because of the metrication methods we chose to use. The USA, since the 1780s, has chosen different methods! Pat NaughtinGeelong, Australiahttp://www.metricationmatters.com
Posted by Pat Naughtin on 03/17/2009 @ 02:00PM PT
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Why is the u.s. so backwards in so many critical areas such as universal healthcare, worldclass education, and in this case, a logical straightforward system of measures? Why do school children have to learn 2 completely different systems? Why do businesses have to suffer because they can't sell their imperially measured goods overseas (ie. letter sized paper, etc.) Why does NASA, supposedly a science organization still use the Stone Age imperial system? Even England doesn't use it anymore, and that's where it came from! Come on, go metric or go with Burma!!!
Posted by M D on 03/17/2009 @ 01:14PM PT
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Great questions! It's interesting to note that the metric system used all around the world has three parts. In France in the 1790s, it was named the "decimal metric system". The system part came from John Wilkins in England, the metric part came from Burattini in Italy, and the decimal part came from the USA. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington were very active in getting the French "philosophes' to use decimal numbers for the "decimal metric system". Pat NaughtinGeelong, Australia
Posted by Pat Naughtin on 03/17/2009 @ 02:55PM PT
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I am grateful for change.org and its advancement of U.S. metrication among the ideas for change in America. U.S. changeover to the metric system of measurement will usher in a new period of simplicity and efficiency in measurement for the American people, and will also improve international trade and communication.
Paul Trusten, R.Ph.
Public Relations Director
U.S. Metric Association, Inc.
http://www.metric.org
3609 Caldera Blvd. Apt. 122
Midland TX 79707-2872 US
+1(432)528-7724
trusten@grandecom.net
Posted by Paul Trusten on 03/17/2009 @ 02:01PM PT
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It's time to go metric because our world, whether different or similar than the U.S., uses it on a daily basis. Because the vast majority of our world uses the metric system, it's time to implement a mandatory national metric conversion process that is efficient. In fact, I'm such a supporter of the metric system that I read the weather in the metric system along with mountains, countries, rivers and etc. Finally, I hope to see our country adopt the metric system, so no more close mindedness which is the current system.
Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 03/18/2009 @ 10:42AM PT
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Being born in 1964 in Los Angeles, I was raised with two things that I still remember 1. Computers and the binary system in mathematics and 2. The metric system, because in the late 70s and early 80s we were the generation that would make the switch.
The computers obviously took off, but our elders stalled on the metric system. This has cost the USA not only money but even spacecraft. The mars polar explorer was lost because of a mixture of metric and English units.
All my science classes used metric units so all I could think in hearing about NASA's blunder is "Who the heck does science with those messy units!"
As far as Esperanto goes. I speak it fluently and it has been the best travel 'tool' I have ever used! I can pretty much go anywhere and meet with locals and not get the usual 'polite smiles' that Americans usually get because they want me to spend money.
Posted by Pamela Lieber on 03/19/2009 @ 09:44AM PT
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Dear Pamela,
The loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter was dramatic and expensive, but the gradual small losses that happen in every day business and commerce in the USA are far greater. Few have tried to estimate the cost to the USA of not being metric.My estimate is at: http://www.metricationmatters.com/docs/CostOfNonMetrication.pdf
Cheers, Pat Naughtin Geelong, Australia
Posted by Pat Naughtin on 03/19/2009 @ 11:33AM PT
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I had one the best vacations in Australia. In fact, my first International Esperanto conference was in Adalaide, South Australia. I wonder if the kangaroo i got to meet knew more metric than my own parents! Have a Victoria Bitters for me.cheers, Pam Lieber, the Bronx in NYC, USA
Posted by Pamela Lieber on 03/19/2009 @ 04:49PM PT
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We're teaching two systems of measurement and one of them makes no sense at all from both a logical and scientific basis.
Posted by matthew jones on 04/06/2009 @ 03:51PM PT
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Don't forget that there is a cost for the inefficiency of teaching more than one system of measurement.
In an article, 'The Case for U.S. Metric Conversion Now' (1992, December 9) Richard P. Phelps states that:
'It (USA education system) teaches two systems of measurement in the schools and, the confusion from learning two systems aside, there is a cost to the time spent in teaching two systems. A full year of mathematics instruction is lost to the duplication of effort.'
You can view Richard P. Phelps' article after you register on the Education Weekly database at: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/1992/12/09/14phelps.h12.html
In 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Education, the Total Expenditures for Education in the USA for elementary and secondary education was $972 000 000 000 (972 billion dollars) and this included all expenditures, federal, state, local, and other. See http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/09s0212.pdf
Assuming that arithmetic and mathematics classes compose about 1/5 of a school curriculum, then mathematics education in the USA costs just below 200 billion dollars each year. And if Phelp's conclusion is correct, that 'A full year of mathematics instruction is lost to the duplication of effort', and (allowing for drop-outs) we assume that the average school life of a student is 10 years, then each year in the USA, almost 20 billion dollars is wasted in teaching all of the old pre-metric measures in schools.
Cheers,
Pat NaughtinGeelong, Australia
Posted by Pat Naughtin on 04/06/2009 @ 05:44PM PT
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About my message :
2 things or international cultures are not yet extensively used in USA : Esperanto International Language and Metric Measurement System. I warmly recommend them both, to PRESIDENT OBAMA. With them, I think, Americans could gain more economic advantages and international friendship. Dante Kieriko
Posted by Dante Kieriko on 03/01/2009 @ 09:12AM PST
I want to add that:
-The Decimal Metric System (DM.S.) has many useful implications very clearly described by mister Pat Naughtin, who recognised it's importance and advantages in all activities of a modern life.
- Esperanto makes languages learning easier, as widely explained in the blog
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/introduce_esperanto_as_a_foreign_language_subject_in_schools
Now I propose it to your attention for a discussion about the possible use of both, together, because:
- Esperanto and Metrication make international relations friendlier and cheaper.
- Esperanto and Metrication have a synergic effect making WORLD AVIATION safer. This was asserted also by Mr. Kent Jones of Chicago, in a message :
To the flying public, our Congress, and aviation personnel
He was an electronic technician for the ground Controlled Approach unit at Barber's Point Naval Air Station, Oahu, Hawaii. He was a founding member of the Esperanto Society of Chicago and served several years as its president. He also was chairman of the Education Commission for the Esperanto League of North America (ELNA) - Now http://www.esperanto-usa.org/
Dante Kieriko
Posted by Dante Kieriko on 04/13/2009 @ 02:14PM PT
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I am excited to join in the metric cause. I have been writing letters to the editor of my local farming community newspaper. My goal is to have Holyoke, Colorado go metric and show up progressive cities like Chicago, New York and L.A. I am going to learn how to set up a web page so other people can read my letters and hear my ideas. Until then, if you are interested in reading them you can email me at mitrevision@hotmail.com Lets work together to join the rest of the metricated world! --Steve McClellan--
Posted by Steven McClellan on 09/16/2009 @ 04:17PM PT
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please sign my petition for America to switch to the Metric System http://www.change.org/actions/view/for_america_to_switch_to_the_metric_system
Invite all of your friends
Posted by Faris K on 10/19/2009 @ 04:58PM PT
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America already 'adopted' the Metric System, it is up to the President to Stop the use of the English System and use Metric exclusively. It took Canada 100 years to finally change systems, lets hope that is Not the case here. Not if I can help it.
http://www.change.org/actions/view/twenty-first_century_metric_america
Posted by Bruce Arkwright, Jr. on 10/22/2009 @ 02:14PM PT
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