Re: Metric Time (was Re: Why not 13 months? (Was La Systeme Metrique))
Jock Robert Ian Christie (jchrist@leland.Stanford.EDU)
13 Oct 1995 12:47:05 -0700
In article <45hehv$apu@hermes.cair.du.edu>,
Robert A. Uhl <ruhl@phoebe.cair.du.edu> wrote:
>In article <45f466$251@cyberE.creative.net>,
>Jack Fertig <starjack@creative.com> wrote:
>>As an American I'm embarassed at our country's resistance to the metric
>>system. I'm even more embarassed at our xenophobia, lack of a health
>>care system, crime, violence... oh, well. Metrics seems a small matter
>>from this side. But it's true enough. We should get with it.
>
> Get with what? Other nations' disdain for their histories? The
>changing over to a system with _no_ benefits? Do tell.
>
> I always thought that the problem was that there is no reason for us
>to convert. The fact that the rest of the world uses it doesn't
>matter; the rest of the world also lies awake at night hoping that we
>don't decide to reduce it to radioactive grit...
>
>>I think it's quite enough to know that a meter is a bit more than a yard.
>>A centimeter is a little less than half an inch. A Kilometer is about
>>2/3 of a mile. (Or for more than a few, 5/8 is a closer fraction.) A
>>liter is a little more than a quart. A decilitre is a tad less than a
>>cup. It's really as easy as pie, and a lot easier than 3.1416.
>
>+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
ARGH
For those of you who are SCARED of the metric system - Please dont be.
Neither system is "better", but I personally think that it makes a lot
of sense for the USA to stop being so pigheaded and just switch over,
as starjack@creative.com thoughtfully pointed out before.
There will be lots of whining at first, but people will get used to it.
I will provide a simple example using the both temperature scales.
Similar (easy) example could be made using distances or masses.
Very few of us can distinguish between 20 C (68 F) and 21 C (70 F) anyhow.
If you can get the "hang" of the table below, you will be well equipped
to understand this very simple (and logical) temperature system.
Really Cold -40 C -40 F
Cold -20 C -4 F
Freezing 0 C 32 F
Chilly 10 C 50 F
Nice 20 C 68 F
Warm 30 C 86 F
Body Temperature 37 C 98.6 F
Hot 40 C 104 F
Boiling 100 C 212 F
If you are really desperate for a sloppy equation of thumb.
deg_C = 0.5*(deg_F - 30); /* Not right, but close */
I just cant stand anti-metric whining.
Jock Christie
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