Comments on: Spare a thought for any would-be Brysons out there http://metricviews.org.uk/2010/02/spare-a-though-for-any-would-be-bill-brysons-out-there/ Commentary on the measurement muddle in the UK Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:03:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: philh http://metricviews.org.uk/2010/02/spare-a-though-for-any-would-be-bill-brysons-out-there/comment-page-1/#comment-20181 philh Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:33:31 +0000 http://metricviews.org.uk/?p=872#comment-20181 It would seem that some authors of science articles which are intended for, and easily understood by, the general public are not shy of using metric only: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8530000/8530995.stm It would seem that some authors of science articles which are intended for, and easily understood by, the general public are not shy of using metric only:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8530000/8530995.stm

]]> By: John Steele http://metricviews.org.uk/2010/02/spare-a-though-for-any-would-be-bill-brysons-out-there/comment-page-1/#comment-20178 John Steele Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:50:57 +0000 http://metricviews.org.uk/?p=872#comment-20178 Even in the US, science is taught primarily in metric. If he wishes the book to have any credibility, he needs to use metric. If necessary, he can have a chapter on the SI and conversions necessary to his topics as an appendix or something. If really really necessary (and I discourage this approach), he can use dual, metric first, USC in parentheses. Does he ever mention volume? How does he handle different gallons and bushels in different English-speaking countries. How does handle different tons (or that damned stone). Metric is the most commonly shared measurement system between English speaking countries because of differences in their "english" units. Ha, forget dual. Just use metric, explain it in an appendix. The people who are likely to buy a book on science are likely to have some familiarity with metric and/or are willing to learn it in conjunction with the material. Even in the US, science is taught primarily in metric. If he wishes the book to have any credibility, he needs to use metric.

If necessary, he can have a chapter on the SI and conversions necessary to his topics as an appendix or something. If really really necessary (and I discourage this approach), he can use dual, metric first, USC in parentheses.

Does he ever mention volume? How does he handle different gallons and bushels in different English-speaking countries. How does handle different tons (or that damned stone). Metric is the most commonly shared measurement system between English speaking countries because of differences in their “english” units. Ha, forget dual. Just use metric, explain it in an appendix.

The people who are likely to buy a book on science are likely to have some familiarity with metric and/or are willing to learn it in conjunction with the material.

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