Metrication opposition
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The spread of metrication around the world in the last two centuries has been met with both support and opposition.[where?]
Metrication
The United States of America officially accepted the Metric System in 1878 but United States customary units remain ubiquitous outside the science and technology sector. The metric system has been largely adopted in Canada and Ireland, and partially adopted in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, without having fully displaced imperial units from all areas of life. In other Anglophone countries such as Australia, Singapore and New Zealand, imperial units have been formally deprecated and are no longer officially sanctioned for use.[1][2]
Technical arguments
Natural evolution and human scale
One argument used by opponents of the metric system is that traditional systems of measurement were developed organically from actual use.
Nowadays most non-metric units are standardised to fixed values, which eliminates the disadvantage of imprecision while retaining the advantage of human scale. For example, the
Divisibility
Metric opponents cite easier division of customary units as one reason not to adopt a decimalised system. For example, those customary units with ratios of 12 and 16 have more
The main disadvantage cited by critics of customary measures is the proliferation of units, their (sometimes) non-unique definition and the difficulty in remembering the ratios between them.[citation needed]
Duplication in naming and usage
A common argument for the metric system is that it avoids duplication of naming and the associated confusion. The most commonly cited example is pound (force) vs pound (mass), which have the same symbol and are both commonly written simply as "pounds", which can lead to costly and dangerous shipping and engineering errors. Opponents of metrication argue that this issue only occurs due to misuse; when used 'properly', there is no cause for confusion.
Separately, it is also argued that customary units feature too many overlapping units. The most commonly cited examples are in liquid volume, where metric has simply
Industry-specific product sizing
Metric opposed artisans and practitioners may be concerned by certain dimensions being less memorable with metric units. As the table below shows, industries have addressed such concerns by using a "hard conversion" into metric units of the dimensions involved. (Metric conversion also gives the opportunity to "Rationalize" the range of sizes which are available.[6]):
Industry | Common reference | Metric reference |
---|---|---|
Carpentry | 4 ft × 8 ft plywood | 1219 mm × 2438 mm (exact) 1200 mm × 2400 mm (Europe) 2400 mm × 1200 mm (Australia/NZ - Largest value first) |
2" by 4" | 50.8 mm × 101.6 mm (exact - however planing makes the actual dimensions narrower.) 50 mm × 100 mm (Europe) (However, planing makes the actual dimensions 3~8 mm narrower) 90 mm × 45 mm (Australia/NZ - Accurate "rationalized" planed values are used, with the largest value first.)[7] |
Some industries, even in metric countries, have adopted industry standards which are not obviously multiples of metric units. One example of this is paper sizes: the widely used A series specification begins from A0, which has a surface area of 1 square metre, with sides in the ratio of approximately 1:√2 (841mm by 1189mm). This ratio has the unique property that when cut or folded in half widthways, the halves also have the same aspect ratio. Each ISO paper size is one half of the area of the next larger size in the same series. This means that A4 business letter paper is 1/16 m2 (0.0625 m2), yielding sides that are 210 mm × 297 mm.
Political arguments
Tradition
Traditionalists consider the retention of traditional non-metric units as a form of traditionalism, valuing historic usage spanning centuries.
Non-metric units often have had different values in different times and places, and some units such as the
By contrast, the metric system has remained unchanged (for most practical purposes) since it was first defined. Even though the
Government compulsion
The adoption of metric units has required some government compulsion
Anti-metrication in the UK often manifests itself in conjunction with
All
On 8 May 2007, several British newspapers including The Times
The legal position on the use of imperial measures has not changed. Pre-packed goods and goods sold loose from bulk, such as fruit and vegetables, are still required to be sold in metric quantities and weighing scales must be calibrated in metric units of measurement. Suggestions that goods can now be sold in pounds and ounces are incorrect.[12]
In the US, there is also government compulsion with weights and measures. Federal and state laws control the labelling of goods for sale in the supermarket, drugs, wine, liquor, etc. The US
NASA, the United States' space agency, has taken a less compulsory approach. On 29 March 2010, NASA decided to avoid making its proposed Constellation rocket system metric-compliant, especially due to pressure from manufacturers; ultimately the program was discontinued. It had been predicted that it would cost US$368 million to convert to metric measurements for parts made by both NASA and external companies. Constellation would have borrowed technology from the 1970s-era Space Shuttle program, which used non-metric measurements in software and hardware.[16] NASA's non-compulsory position has contributed to at least one major mission-failure: in 1999, a contractor's use of pre-metric units caused the disintegration of NASA's $328 million Mars Climate Orbiter.[17] Despite NASA's non-compulsory policy, commercial space manufacturer SpaceX currently designs its systems (e.g., Dragon and Falcon 9) using metric units.
High modernism and legibility
Commentator Ken Alder noted that on the eve of the French Revolution a quarter of a million different units of measure were in use in France; in many cases the quantity associated with each unit of measure differed from town to town and often from trade to trade.
Price inflation
The
When
The move to smaller units (e.g.,
) allows manufacturers to move sizes of packaging up and down with more precision using whole numbers. For example, a 2-ounce bag of chips may be altered to 50 grams, then to 45 grams. Likewise, a variety of packaging sizes may arise, such as 690 grams (about 24 oz) or 1200 grams (about 42 oz), resulting from conversion and rounding of customary units. However, the precise adjustment of packaging sizes is also possible using customary units, e.g., the 2-ounce bag can be downsized to 1.8 and 1.6 ounces as well.The Australian experience of metric conversion showed no evidence of price inflation caused by metrication.[26]
British Weights and Measures Association
Abbreviation | BWMA |
---|---|
Formation | 1995 |
Type | Advocacy group |
Website | bwmaorg.uk |
The current British Weights and Measures Association, or BWMA, is an
Aim of the BWMA
The BWMA's stated aim is to uphold the freedom to use the
By the time of the modern BWMA's founding, metrication in the United Kingdom was far advanced, having begun in 1962. British schoolchildren had been educated using only metric measures since 1974 (earlier in some places), and British industry had changed to using metric tools and equipment during the 1980s and were, in most cases, manufacturing to metric standards.
Campaigns
- BWMA maintain that people should be free to use the metric system if they want, but that it should not be forced upon them.[30] and specifically, the Association campaigns for freedom for traders to serve their customers in whichever measures both parties find most convenient.
- BWMA campaigns against the metrication of road signs[31] and in 2009 published their response[32] to a consultation hosted by the UK's Department for Transport which discussed a proposal to require compulsory dual Metric/Imperial signs of height limits and width limits. BWMA's responded that dual-units signage should not be made compulsory, and that the legal provisions (from the 1980s) allowing voluntary dual-units signage should be repealed so that only Imperial units could be displayed. This, the BWMA claimed, was to "avoid confusion."
- BWMA support the
- BWMA gives detailed advice on how traders can circumvent regulations mandating metric weights and measures.[35]
- BWMA members have published a number of books arguing for customary measures. These include The General Rule by BWMA President Vivian Linacre (Squeeze Press) and About the Size of It by Warwick Cairns.
- The BWMA has published a "rogues' gallery" of those they label "Metric Culprits." These include a long list of individuals and bodies that have advocated or supported metrication, including the Irish Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, who metricated road signs in Republic of Ireland in 2005.[36]
Opposition
- These actions contrast with the UK Metric Association (UKMA), which campaigns for compulsory Metrication in the United Kingdom for all legal and official purposes, including trade and road signs.
Patrons
- Gwyneth Dunwoody[37] (1930–2008)
- Vice-Admiral Sir Louis Le Bailly (1915–2010)[37]
- Sir Patrick Moore[37](1923–2012)
- John Monson, 11th Baron Monson (1932–2011)[37]
Honorary members
This article is missing information about what is the relationship of the named people with the Association, do they acknowledge/accept the honor or declare support for the BWMA?.(June 2019) |
See also
- Decimal time
- Frank Mankiewicz
- French Republican Calendar
- Lyn Nofziger
- Mesures usuelles
- Metrication in the United Kingdom
- Metrication in the United States
- SI prefix
- Units of measurement
Footnotes
References
- ^ "Appendix G - Weights and Measures". The World Factbook. Washington: Central Intelligence Agency. 6 September 2007. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 25 December 2007.
- ^ "Metrication in other countries: Metrication status and history". US Metric Association. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Lovegreen, Alan. "Past its Sell-By Date". The Yardstick (#1). British Weights and Measures Association. Retrieved 18 January 2007.
- ^ OCLC 37392803.
- British Weights and Measures Association. 15 July 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ISBN 9780644248600. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ [1] Archived 16 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Richard North. "AGAINST COMPULSORY METRICATION" (PDF). Libertarian.co.uk. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ a b c [2] Archived 19 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Consumer Affairs". The Times. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Clearing Up the Metric Muddle". Gloucestershire Trading Standards. 4 April 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
- ^ "FPLA Introduction". Ftc.gov. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ "Wine Labeling Regulations" (PDF). Ttb.gov. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Distilled Spirit Labeling Regulations" (PDF). Ttb.gov. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "REVIEW OF THE CONSTELLATION PROGRAM'S REQUEST TO DISCONTINUE USING THE METRIC SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT" (PDF). Oig.nasa.gov. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Mars Climate Orbiter Mishap Investigation Board Phase I Report" (PDF) (Press release). NASA. 10 November 1999. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ISBN 0-349-11507-9.
- ISBN 0-691-01601-1
- ^ Scott, Seeing Like a State, pp. 30-33.
- ^ "Histoire de la mesure - du mètre au SI" (in French). metrologie-francaise.fr. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ISBN 0-691-05446-0), p. 286
- British Weights and Measures Association. 15 July 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ "PepsiCo - Company - History". PepsiCo. 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "PepsiCo Our History". PepsiCo.com. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
- ^ "Metrication in Australia" (PDF). themetricmaven.com. Australian Government Publishing Service. 1992. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ^ "Database of archives of Non Governmental Organisations – BWMA". DANGO. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
- ^ BWMA "Ministers' Metrication Conspiracy"
- ^ The Telegraph: "Nigel Farage and Enoch Powell"
- ^ "British Weights & Measures Association – Annual Awards" (Press release). 21 May 2004. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
- ^ BWMA/Transport – De-metricated signs
- ^ Yardstick: Dec 2009 Archived 15 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Results within Legislation – Statute Law Database[permanent dead link]
- ^ Results within Legislation – Statute Law Database[permanent dead link]
- ^ BWMA/Business Issues – Survival Guide to Metric Law
- ^ BWMA/Metric Culprits
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "BWMA Patrons and Honorary members". British Weights and Measures Association. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Letter to Prime Minister". British Weights and Measures Association. 16 April 2006. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
- ^ jameslefanu.com
Further reading
- Books supporting metrication
- Metric Signs Ahead (UKMA) (2005) by Robin Paice (ISBN 978-0-9552351-0-8)
- A Very British Mess (UKMA) (2004) by Robin Paice (ISBN 0750310146)
- Books opposing metrication
- The General Rule by Vivian Linacre (ISBN 1906069018)
- About the Size of It by ISBN 0230016286)
- Halsey, Frederick Arthur (1920). "The Metric Fallacy" (2nd ed.). New York: American Institute of Weights and Measures. ).
- ISBN 978-0-230-01628-6
- Linacre, Vivian (2007). The General Rule: A Guide to Customary Weights and Measures , The Squeeze Press, ISBN 978-1-906069-01-8