On Tue, 12 Mar 2002 10:07:24 Jim Elwell wrote: >At 08:11 AM 3 March 2002 -0800, Ma Be wrote: >>Yes, John, I'm evidently familiar with how the "average American" may feel >>when reading such trash.... >> >>On Tue, 12 Mar 2002 00:14:15 >> kilopascal wrote: >> >Unfortunately, Marcus, if you were to have every American read this document >> >and ask them if they agree or disagree with it, a vast majority would agree. > >I'd say both of you are making broad assertions of what the "average >American" thinks without the slightest evidence to back them up.
Dear Jim, while you may disagree with John's original assessment (and I merely just played along), there IS this kind of perception by foreigners on how "average Americans" approach this issue. Such perception may be distorted or something, I won't argue, but still prevails. I'm deeply sorry if this goes against your personal experience with your fellow countrymen. However... (more below). ... How do you know what the "average American" thinks? > True, this kind of statement may depend on people's personal experiences with ordinary Americans here and there. However, speaking from personal experience I'm yet to find in my 'sample' an 'average' behavior that at least would discredit John's original assessment of such stereotype. >Furthermore, even if someone agrees with this article, it does not mean >they are anti-metric. It only means they don't want FORCED metrication. > ? Jim, I find it puzzling that you did not give much weight to the considerable anti-metric arguments that that journalist put forth. Perhaps it would help if if you read it again for the first time. It may be the case that the incumbent was also addressing the compulsory nature of metrication, but clearly his remarks were very anti-metric(/ation). His defense of the status quo and resistance from the US to metrication (besides being utterly misguided and indefensible) are largely irrational, illogical and an affront to the countless metrology professionals who have been working so hard to produce a *true* system that would foster prosperity to all concerned. >Is there no end to your pessimism, Marcus and John? Is there no positive >evidence that you will acknowledge? >... I honestly do not consider myself a pessimist, but rather a realist. I continue to see absolutely no evidence whatsoever of *real* tangible/measurable progress in these last few years. Quite the contrary, until a few years back (>~7 years) I wasn't even paying much attention to this issue until ifp crept back so forcefully in my life here in Canada that it "woke me up" to it. In addition, please don't forget that in 2011 we'll be checking on our private bet (remember?) to follow up on how things have progressed (so I suggest you keep tabs yourself of how things are developing to *prove* your point - yes, the burden of proof is unfortunately on you, my friend!). And believe me, this is one bet I will love to lose (but I still sustain that I'll end up winning it, unfortunately... :-S). Take care, my good friend. Marcus Is your boss reading your email? ....Probably Keep your messages private by using Lycos Mail. Sign up today at http://mail.lycos.com
