On 2008 Mar 18 , at 9:15 AM, Stan Jakuba wrote:
Bill I understand what you mean (about the use of the prefix
"centi-" for lengths). However, on the scale of the task to accept
SI in the world (not just the US) this is such a minor issue that,
on top of it, would consume effort disproportionate to the gain. It
would raise hurricane-proportion resistance.
Actually, Stan, I agree. (See also another email I just sent off
replying to Jesse Ziser concerns about the same topic.)
I think my stand is somewhat ambiguous if not outright contradictory.
My thinking is probably on a middle course that would have me saying:
"Let's not use centi- for centimetres when it can easily be
avoided, and certainly not in cases like "centi-Amps" where it is
seldom heard of and never necessary.
"But furthermore, I have agree that this effort should be kept
within the metric-familiar and/or technical fields (for now) since the
centimetre is so widely recognized in the world, including among
people who don't often use metric."
So I agree that I would not try to argue with non-metric supporters
about this issue. None-the-less, I find it possible to state that my
height is 1810 mm or 1.81 m. I can show by example that the centimetre
is not necessary here. But I am forced to agree that a litre can be
most easily described as 1000 cm^3, although it can just as well can
be described as one one-thousandth of a cubic metre. But, it
certainly would be extremely awkward to have to describe
it as 1 000 000 mm^3.
Stan added:
With USMA limited time and energy, we should use Parreto principle -
the 20 % vs. 80 % rule. Your pet project is way down the priority
list.
I agree. I don't think it is my "pet project", but I think there is
room for discussion (among those of us well informed about SI) as to
whether some things could be done differently, provided the different
way would be as easy as the rest of the system.
I'd hope that Stan and others could agree, at least, that "centi-" is
hardly ever used for anything but "centimetres" (and the square and
cubes of centimetres) which you may recall was my original point.
Since "centi-" is seldom used (except for that glaring example of
centimetres), I asked,
"Could we get rid of centi- completely?"
Because of the problem with areas and volumes, I'd have to admit that
the answer may be "No!", because of the problem with area and volume
measures.
Bill Hooper
still 1810 mm tall
Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA
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SImplification Begins With SI.
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