John (Kilopascal) wrote in USMA 25163:
Metrication must be more then converting a few industries. Its goal must be
to convert the population as well. What good is metrication if the
population of 2003 still thinks that US made autos are made in FFU and not
metric, or that alcoholic beverages are still sold in fifths, pints, half
and full gallons? If we have to metricate in secret, what have we really
gained?
Metrication will occur in the US only after the US is deposed from its high
throne and has to live like everyone else in the world. Where the US is a
player in events, and not a dictator will metrication occur because if it
doesn't, the US will be shut out. Other countries in the world that easily
metricated in the '70s did so because if they didn't, they would be cut off
from most of their trading partners who were metric. They could not afford
to "go it alone" like the US did. Because of dollar hegemony, the US could
be the sole user of FFU and even use its influence to assure FFU a place at
the table. Ending dollar hegemony is a sure way and a quick way to end the
hegemonic practices of the US, especially the practice of using FFU.
If, however, someone can give me sound logical reasons for why dollar
hegemony and/or increased euroisation will have absolutely no effect on
metrication, I would like to hear about it. But, until that time, I will
continue to believe euroisation and the end of dollar hegemony will be the
key factor in future US metrication.
John
John thinks that the currency used in foreign trade is the
controlling factor in deciding the physical measures that a nation
uses. I think the deciding factor is the measurement system used in
the countries to which a nation sells its manufactured exports.
Since World War II the US dollar has been the predominant currency
used in world trade. But since World War II India, Pakistan, South
Africa. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Korea (both
North and South), Viet Nam, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Barbados. Bermuda,
Burma, Botswana, Cyprus, United Emirates, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana,
Gibraltar, Guyana, Iraq, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan,
Jordan, Kenya, Koweit, Lesotho, Macao, Malaysia, Nauru, Nepal,
Nigeria, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Phillipines, Zimbabwe, Solomon
Islands, Singapore, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Swaziland,
Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tabago,and Zambia have gone
metric. This information comes from "Le Syst�me M�trique" by H,
Moreau, 1975.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph B. Reid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, 2003-03-15 15:41
Subject: [USMA:25158] Re: Canada
In USMA 25157 Kilopacal wrote:
>
>"euroisation = metrication" MUST be our battle cry. In order to be a
metric
>supporter, you must also be a supporter of a more balanced use of the
dollar
>and the euro in world trade and policies. In the future more regional
>currencies having equal weight to the dollar and euro will create an even
>more balance of resources and power and assure that the standard units
used
>in trade, education, speech, etc., world-wide is SI and only SI.
>
>John
I think John is wrong in linking the influence of the dollar with the
defence of the inch-pound system. American companies that do a
world-wide trade are already metric. The American automobile
industry, the agricultural machinery industry and the photographic
and optical industries are already metric, The electronic indutry is
converting. Most Americans do not realize this because American
manufacturers do not see any sales advantage in advertising the
> metric system.
--
Joseph B. Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8 Telephone 416-486-6071
