If you thought social distancing was simple, think again. Ronnie Cohen draws attention some examples of confusing conversions. When will we learn to think metric and not convert?
Continue reading “Multiple conversions for same social distances”Government’s return to imperial set to make UK a laughing stock
Yesterday, the Government published its response to the so-called TIGRR report. It was reported in some newspapers as announcing the return of pounds and ounces.
Continue reading “Government’s return to imperial set to make UK a laughing stock”
Mutual incomprehension in diet conversation
It appears that the UK measurement muddle lingers on in the field of nutrition and diet. Ronnie Cohen reports a recent incident, and draws conclusions. And what about stones – surely they belong on the beach and not on our weighing scales?
Continue reading “Mutual incomprehension in diet conversation”Metres and miles mix-up again
I recently came across a news article on the mylondon.news website reporting that one short London Underground journey is the most expensive in the world.
Continue reading “Metres and miles mix-up again”Retrograde step proposed for retail trade
On 16 June 2021, the government published a set of proposals from the independent “Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform” (TIGRR). These proposals aim to reduce regulation of British businesses, thereby providing them with an advantage over foreign competitors.
Continue reading “Retrograde step proposed for retail trade”Two surprises from 1970
Metric Views remembers two announcements made over 50 years ago that came as a surprise to many.
Continue reading “Two surprises from 1970”Imperial dimensions of British exceptionalism
The British retreat on metrication from the early 1980’s, starting with the abolition of the Metrication Board, is a symptom of British exceptionalism. Ronnie Cohen looks at this issue, or should we say problem?
Continue reading “Imperial dimensions of British exceptionalism”Stuck in an imperial past
Ronnie Cohen wonders if nostalgia for Britain’s imperial past is damaging its future.
Continue reading “Stuck in an imperial past”Decolonising science
Martin Vlietstra, an occasional contributor to Metric Views, considers Britain’s policy of retaining, for as long as it could, the use of imperial measurements in its Empire. He notes that the consequences continue to this day.
Continue reading “Decolonising science”The UK’s metric conversion – a comedy of errors?
Ronnie Cohen looks at the story of the UK’s metric changeover during the half century following the establishment of the Metrication Board in the late 1960s. If any other country needs a lesson in how not to do the job, this is it.
Continue reading “The UK’s metric conversion – a comedy of errors?”
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