Kilogram Poses Weighty Problem
Wired News
Good. No need to rely on some arcane object in France as the defining measurement of a kilogram.
What you may not know is that the English system of pounds and inches is based on the metric system, because the metric system helped defined what an inch should be since before that, even Englishmen couldn't agree on how many pound is a pound. The only thing they agree on right now is that instead of adopting the kilogram, they would rather stay with using the word pound and inch.
I agree. Although the sciences are best reserved for the metric system based on universal constants, people should not be forced to say things like "every centimeter a king" because "every inch a king" sounds better. A pound of flesh sounds better than a kilogram of flesh, if you want flesh, that is.
What constants will they choose to use, however? How will they decide? And what will need to change afterwards? Will all the previous usage of kilogram be rendered unfit? How will we convert all the previously used system to a new one?
It will be a tough job, but when we have the benefits of technology, we can convert measurement more easily than a written book.
Good. No need to rely on some arcane object in France as the defining measurement of a kilogram.
What you may not know is that the English system of pounds and inches is based on the metric system, because the metric system helped defined what an inch should be since before that, even Englishmen couldn't agree on how many pound is a pound. The only thing they agree on right now is that instead of adopting the kilogram, they would rather stay with using the word pound and inch.
I agree. Although the sciences are best reserved for the metric system based on universal constants, people should not be forced to say things like "every centimeter a king" because "every inch a king" sounds better. A pound of flesh sounds better than a kilogram of flesh, if you want flesh, that is.
What constants will they choose to use, however? How will they decide? And what will need to change afterwards? Will all the previous usage of kilogram be rendered unfit? How will we convert all the previously used system to a new one?
It will be a tough job, but when we have the benefits of technology, we can convert measurement more easily than a written book.
posted by Alan at February 27, 2005
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