One way to explain the ease of use issue is to point out that the metric system
has one unit of length, one unit of volume, etc. There are prefixes reflecting
where the decimal point is, but that's it. US traditional measures have many
units of distance and volume.
Also, it would be interesting to poll Americans today with questions like:
How many feet in a mile?
How many meters in a kilometer?
How many ounces in a gallon?
How many milliliters in a liter?
My guess: a scary percentage couldn't answer any of them, but more Americans,
including many who think they oppose metrication, would get the metric
questions right. If USMA could ever commission a national poll like that, it
could be a good lobbying and PR tool.
From: David
Sent: 01/10/2009 7:23 PM
To: U.S. Metric Association
Subject: [USMA:42299] Fact or opinion?
Is the metric system really easier for everyone or is that just opinion?
I was speaking to some close friends and one of them is very much against the
metric system. His argument is that it isn't easier for everyone. Is this true?
Isn't ease of use a matter of opinion?
But then I looked at it this way. In converting units, which one takes
less calculations? Obviously metric wins hands down, since none are needed. I
think this makes metric more efficient and thus makes it easier. Makes sense,
right?
I personally think it's easier for everyone, and I also think that people
against metrication just use that as an excuse; but is it really easier for
everyone or is it just opinion?
