Metric Views has received news on the progress of metrication in the Caribbean.
The BBC explains its position on measurement units
A reader of Metric Views has received an unusually comprehensive reply to a complaint about the units used in the the programme ‘Bang goes the theory’. We are posting the letter in full as we feel it may be of interest to our readers. Continue reading “The BBC explains its position on measurement units”
Remarks by Eric Schmidt throw up a paradox
The executive chairman of Google remarked recently that Britain needs to “bring arts and science back together”. But the USA, where he is based, is the most backward country in the world for sharing of measurement units between scientists and others. So what does this say about the measurement muddle in both countries?
Continue reading “Remarks by Eric Schmidt throw up a paradox”
Eurocodes for structural design, and that decimal marker
Britain is currently adopting European codes for structural design and allowing British Standard codes to lapse. This raises the issue of the preferred decimal marker – should imperial or continental practice be followed?
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Road safety experts ignore UK sign problems
A recent report into the safety implications of variations in road signs across Europe has ignored problems caused by the UK’s continued use of imperial units.
Continue reading “Road safety experts ignore UK sign problems”
Metric campaigner dies
Supporters of completing metrication will be saddened to learn of the death of Australian consultant and campaigner, Pat Naughtin.
“Can the economy survive without a national measurement system?”
This was the question posed at a recent seminar organised by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee in Portcullis House, opposite the Palace of Westminster. Typically, however, the keynote speeches skirted around the central problem.
Continue reading ““Can the economy survive without a national measurement system?””
ASDA downsizes strawberries – brilliant publicity stunt
Reports in the tabloid media suggest that Asda has reverted to selling strawberries in “pounds”. So what has really happened? Continue reading “ASDA downsizes strawberries – brilliant publicity stunt”
Surprisingly balanced article in the Daily Mail
An interesting article about metrication appeared in the Daily Mail Online recently, describing the current situation reasonably well – but arguing that the current British mixture of metric and imperial measurements is actually a good thing since it enables people to use the units “most apposite for the job in hand”. As this argument is seductive but utterly misconceived, it deserves to be taken seriously and rebutted.
Continue reading “Surprisingly balanced article in the Daily Mail”
A bit of imperial history
Recent comments on the value, or otherwise, of retaining historic or traditional measurements in daily use have prompted thoughts on the swift rise of the imperial system of measures in the nineteenth century and on the muddle that has resulted from its inevitable decline in the twentieth.
Metric Views 