Re: Metric Time (was Re: Why not 13 months? (Was La Systeme Metrique))
Christopher R. Volpe (volpe@bart.crd.ge.com)
9 Oct 1995 21:12:12 GMT
In article <45bvu4$b39@shore.shore.net>, Whittet@shore.net (Whittet) writes:
>In article <456v85$831@cnn.Princeton.EDU>, jrhodes@pupgg.princeton.edu says...
>>
>>>The foot has stood the test of time because it as the most useful human
>>>scale measure. Unfortunately, a bunch of "intellectual" morons think
>>>they have a better way and want to force it on everyone else.
>>>
>>>Andrew Grygus - California Republic
>>
>>This is a pretty stupid comment. Anything a foot can be "used"
>>to measure, we can also "use" a meter to measure. The foot has
>>no more or less "utility" than anything metric. The difference
>>comes when one wants to convert or manipulate the measurement.
>
>Suppose I want to build a piece of furniture or a house with pleasing
>proportions. The use of feet and inches and fractions of an inch rarely
>requires me to use anything for a measurement which I can't relate to
>the rest of the unit measures in a coherent multiple of some unit dimension.
>
>On the other hand I have seen metric dimensions giving the width of a door
>in millimeters to three decimal points. That is simply absurd.
Perhaps that's because the door was designed with dimensions specified in feet
and inches. Naturally a conversion to meters is going to have lots of digits.
If the door were designed with dimensions specified in a nice round number of
meters and centimeters, then it won't look pretty if you try to specify the
dimensions in feet and inches.
>
>
>>Since we use a decimal based number system, it is a whole lot
>>easier to work with 1000 meters/kilometer than 5280 feet/mile.
>
>Not at all. Miles are usually used in measuring the earth. There
>are 36524 feet in a degree of latitude at the eguator. Thus the
>foot serves to relate time to space which is a very useful function.
This is silly. The foot doesn't "serve" to relate anything that can't be
related with a meter. And where are you getting "time" from in the above
statement?
>
>
>>Decimal comes from ten, by the way, the number of fingers on your
>>hand, which is probably how people that consider imperial units
>>more useful count anyway.
>
>Isn't it normally considered to be true that the simplest explanation
>is the better one?
Yes, but it doesn't seem that either side here is actually offering
*explanations* for anything. Neither is explaining why something is the way
it is observed. You're just arguing over what's better.
>Why not have measures which relate to the relative
>proportions of the human body?
Because we don't al have the same proportions? Because conversion factors
don't correspond to how we do arithmetic?
> I have no difficulty counting my pace
>(two steps) as five feet, what is the equivalent useful metric
>equivalent? Do you know a lot of people whose pace is closer to 6'6"
>or two meters?
Is your pace *really* five feet? Exactly? If not, of what use is this
example? I could just as easily offer 15 decimeters as a reasonable typical
pace length.
Now, for your reading pleasure, I include an old excerpt from rec.humor.oracle
that relates to the current discussion.
--- 365-10 0026i 4.6 -----------------------------------------------------
Selected-By: mzintl@plasma.ps.uci.edu (Michael Zintl)
The Usenet Oracle has pondered your question deeply.
Your question was:
> Oh great Oracle whose keyboard never has crumbs,
> Will the USA ever go metric?
And in response, thus spake the Oracle:
} Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to determine the United States
} measurement challenge once and for all.
}
} In the blue corner we have our current US champion for many years,
} weighing in at 220.4623 pounds, our hero: Igor Imperial.
}
} In the red corner we have, weighing in at 100kg all the way from
} France, and currently storming the world wherever he goes, our
} challenger: Mean Mr Metric.
}
} It will be a great fight today and one that may change the course of
} history. Can Mean Mr Metric defeat Igor Imperial and change US life
} forever, or will Igor outwit the classy opponent and maintain his place
} in history.
}
} We are about to find out.
}
} Gentlemen, I want a clean fight. Shake hands and come out fighting on
} the bell.
}
} Round 1: "DONG"
}
} They both approach each other and meet in the middle of the ring.
} Metric has trained well and opens with the first punch:
}
} How many feet in a mile?
}
} Imperial answers after a moments hesitation with:
}
} 5280
}
} "Good exchange there Bob, hasn't worried either of them."
}
} "No Bill, it's still neck and neck, although Imperial took a fraction
} of a second to divert that question."
}
} Imperial decides to attack with a similar strategy:
}
} How many metres in a kilometre?
}
} Instantly, Metric flashes back with:
}
} 1000
}
} "Wasn't that a great counter by Metric eh Bob - so quick. He's looking
} good tonight"
}
} "Sure is Bill"
}
} Imperial goes on the attack again with a curly one:
}
} How much does a litre of water weigh?
}
} Metric comes back quickly with:
}
} 1 kilogram
}
} "Great offense from Imperial there Bob. Combining both measurement of
} mass and volume - well thought out."
}
} "Sure thing Bill, but I think he may have left himself a bit vulnerable
} here. If I can guess, Metric should follow up with..."
}
} How much does a pint of water weigh?
}
} Imperial reels back with such a tough one. He hesitates.
}
} "Thought he'd do that Bill, he's looking shaky. I wonder how he's
} trained for this?"
}
} Suddenly, Imperial's eyes light up and he comes back with:
}
} 1.0431758 pounds
}
} "Well Bob, our champ got out of that one but it was a bit messy eh?"
}
} "It was Bill. I think he was lucky there. Metric should come back with
} a tough one here if he's got it in him."
}
} As Metric prepares for an offense, the champ Imperial slips in a sneaky
} one:
}
} If 1mm of rain falls on 1 square metre of roof, how much water
} is collected?
}
} "What a shot Bob! That'll hurt him."
}
} Metric defends without a flinch:
}
} 1 litre
}
} "No Bill, Metric has trained too well and has got too much ability.
} That reply was instananeous. You know, I think he should follow the
} same strategy as before and follow up with..."
}
} If 1 point of rain falls on 1 square foot of roof, how much water is
} collected?
}
} "Imperial is down!"
}
} 1 2 3 4 5 6 7...
}
} 7.97922 fl oz
}
} "What an answer! Our boy's still got guts!"
}
} "DONG"
}
} End of Round 1.
}
} "Bill, that bell came just at the right time. This fight shouldn't last
} the next round."
}
} "You're right Bob, but that guy from France is just too good.
}
} Round 2: "DONG"
}
} Imperial comes out and slips in a gentle offense:
}
} How many grams in a kilogram?
}
} Metric defends:
}
} 1000
}
} "Playground stuff there Bob."
}
} "Yeah Bill"
}
} Metric goes for the kill:
}
} How many grains in an ounce?
}
} "Uh oh. I think this is it Bob."
}
} Imperial stutters:
}
} uuuhhhhmmmmmmm. Which system?
}
} "Oh Bill, he's answered with a question. That's not following the
} spirit of the game!"
}
} Metric replies:
}
} All three.
}
} "Curtains Bill. I'm sure."
}
} Imperial responds:
}
} Well in Avoirdupois its 437.5, in Apothecary its 480 and the other
} one is... What other one?
}
} Metric jabs:
}
} You tell me.
}
} Imperial falls to the floor.
}
} 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
}
} "Knocked out Bob!"
}
} "Yeah Bill. I guess we have to get used to the idea of a new system
} here in the US of A. This guy is a mean lean measuring machine."
}
} "Just let me interrupt you Bob, our man Leroy is down in the ring
} talking with Mean Mr Metric."
}
} "Mean Mr Metric that was an incredible last blow there. Tell me what is
} that other system"
}
} Tell you the truth, Leroy, I don't know nor care. I just know there
} are three and they are all stupid.
}
} "Interesting response there from Mean Mr Metric, Back to you Bill"
}
} "We've just got word that the judges are going to make an
} announcement..."
}
} After final discussion, the judges have decided to declare the fight
} null and void due to the fact that the win by Mean Mr Metric would mean
} that some politicians might lose the next election.
}
} You owe the Oracle a life in the dark ages.
--
Chris Volpe Phone: (518) 387-7766 (Dial Comm 8*833
GE Corporate R&D Fax: (518) 387-6560
PO Box 8, Schenectady, NY 12301 Email: volpecr@crd.ge.com
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