(OT) Metric

[jason kanter]

>From the Preface to "A New Model of the Universe" by P. D. Ouspensky (1934):

Weights and measures which have been created throughout the centuries, and
which are different in different countries, appear at the first glance to
have taken one or another form by chance and to be too complicated. But in
reality they are always based on one definite principle. In each separate
class of things or material to be measured a different divisor (or
multiplier) is used, sometimes very complicated as in the English system of
weights -- 16 ounces to a pound, 14 pounds to a stone for comparatively
small weights, and for larger weights 28 pounds to a quarter, 112 pounds to
a hundredweight, 20 hundredweight to a ton; or, for instance, a simple
multiplier like 8 in the Russian measurement of grain which is never
repeated in relation to anything else. This is real psychological method
created by life and experience because, thanks to different coefficients in
different cases a man making mental calculations involving the measurements
of several different materials cannot confuse either objects of different
denominations or the measures of different countries (should he have to deal
with the measures of different countries) because each order of multiplier
itself tells him what is being measured and with what measure. Those who do
not like these old complicated systems are the school-teachers, as is well
known, the most logical people in the world. Different weights and measures
seem to them unnecessarily confusing.

In 1793 the Convention decided to replace the existing French measures by
one "natural" measure. After lengthy and complicated "scientific" activity
and research such a measure was acknowledged as being one ten-millionth of
one fourth part of the earth's meridian, which was called a metre.

There is no direct proof of it, but I am sure that the idea of a "natural"
measure and the metric system was born in the minds of teachers of
arithmetic, because it is so much easier to divide and multiply everything
by ten, having done away with all other divisors and multipliers. But for
all ordinary necessities of life the metric system of weights and measures
is far less practical than the old systems, and it weakens to a considerable
degree a man's ability to make simple mental calculations, which is very
marked in countries where the metric system has been adopted. Everyone who
has ever been in France remembers the French shopkeeper's pencil and paper
on which is often written

      5
     +5
    ----
     10

but there are very few who know that this is one of the conquests of the
Great French Revolution.

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of pianolover 88
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 8:21 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: RE: (OT) Metric - was The answer from Yamaha


Still haven't heard any arguments for WHY we should switch to metric system;
why is it better than our American system? If some had their way, we would't
speak English either! Let's put it to a vote. I would wager that the
overwhelming (U.S.A.) majority would vehemently oppose it! On a humorous
note, "Team America, World Police" is hiarious! Especially to see the likes
of Michael Moore and the rest of the Hollywood ultra socialist-liberals
blowed up real good!

Terry Peterson



----Original Message Follows----
From: Conrad Hoffsommer <hoffsoco@martin.luther.edu>
Reply-To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject: RE: Metric - was The answer from Yamaha
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2004 05:39:36 -0500

Friends,

At 17:33 10/19/2004 -0700, you wrote:
>They "tried" the metric system at the gas pumps (at least here
in
>Calif.) many years back, and it TANKED! No pun intended.
>
>Terry Peterson


Surprised they didn't stick with it. Paying 96.7¢ per liquid unit (litre) it
doesn't seem as bad as $3.66/USgallon.
(paid more than that in Newfoundland this summer, but then took the 25%
exchange discount...)

They also started double listing the distances on interstate signs.

>So we need to be teaching the young the metric system and wait until
>all the old farts die off.   Then we'll bury them 1.8288 meters
>deep...;-]
>
>David I.


Immersion is the best way to learn a new language, but interment is a bit
much.

Being only 1.72m, they could bury me standing up and still be able to mow
over me.  Come to think about it, they already do... ;-{

YMMV


Conrad
-still weighing in at only 11 stone.

_______________________________________________
pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives

_________________________________________________________________
Check out Election 2004 for up-to-date election news, plus voter tools and
more! http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx

_______________________________________________
pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives