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Category Archives: Media
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 … Continue reading
Posted in General, Media, Science
Tagged BBC, measurement units, metric, metrication policy
75 Comments
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?
Posted in Consumer affairs, General, Law, Media
Tagged metrication, weights and measures
62 Comments
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 … Continue reading
Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, Media
Tagged dual-unit, litre, metric, pint, weights and measures
22 Comments
Numeracy Counts
A recent report has stressed the importance of numeracy – and of raising the level of numeracy – both for people with learning difficulties and for people who are otherwise well qualified. In this article Martin Vlietstra suggests that fully … Continue reading
Daylight saving, opting out, and a nudge from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Looking for a lead out of the UK’s measurement muddle? The last government showed no desire to become involved, and now the present government appears to be following in its footsteps. Metric Views recently came across a comment elsewhere which … Continue reading
Posted in Education, General, Media
Tagged change, progress, public attitudes, public support
16 Comments
How decimalisation succeeded while metrication stalled
The media like nothing better than an anniversary, so it was predictable that the 40th anniversary of “decimal day” – 15 February, 1971, when the UK finally gave up its archaic and inconvenient coinage and currency – would get a … Continue reading
Posted in General, History, Media, Road signs
Tagged decimalisation, Department for Transport, metrication, weights and measures
13 Comments
How big is that oil spill?
A reader of Metric Views points out that confusion on the reporting of this disaster is not limited to the UK.
Posted in Media, Technical, Views from abroad
8 Comments
An improvement in the weather
A recent exchange of e-mails between Ezra, a reader of MetricViews in the USA, and Tony, in the UK, suggests that recent years have seen changes for the better in weather reporting in the both the UK and Canada. Do … Continue reading
Posted in General, Media, Technical, Views from abroad
Tagged metrication, pressure, rainfall, snow depth, temperature, visibility
11 Comments
Joules on the menu, please
The very worthy proposal of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that menus should state energy values is undermined by its failure to use proper measurement units. UKMA has responded by advocating joules rather than so-called “calories” (whatever they may be).
Posted in Consumer affairs, General, Health, Media, Technical
Tagged calorie, energy, Food Standards Agency, FSA, joule, metrication, Royal Society
13 Comments
Spare a thought for any would-be Brysons out there
What units do you choose when you are writing travel books and other popular non-fiction for English speakers, wherever they might be found? (Article written by a reader of Bill Bryson’s books)