persuading the metric system

16 October 2007

ametrica.jpg
a set of design concepts aiming to spread the message that the U.S. should adopt the metric system. the infographical interventions of "Ametrica" use numbers & subtle humor, to invite viewers to interact with the pieces & their environment such that they experience metric units directly, rather than through comparison with customary units (which perpetuates the problem of dependency on the old units).

[link: adobe.com & mfad.typepad.com|via swissmiss.typepad.com]

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aesthetic & infographic & physical . comments (4)

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ametrica2.jpg

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comments

The direct, rather than comparative, approach to teaching the metric system is certainly the right way to go.

But the idea that America "should" adopt the metric system strikes me much like the idea that France "should" make English its national language. After all, English is the more widely spoken, universal language. Systems of units (like languages) are more culturally rooted than they are scientific and rational.

America will adopt the metric system when the benefits outwiegh the drawbacks--not because they "should".

But as the work of an unseasoned college undergraduate, I give this an A for effort.

euphrosyne . 17 October 2007

I think the Government has totally lost its way on this: I have seen NO progress twards metrication since, maybe, the Carter administration. Dealing with English measures is a HUGE nuisance. It's much easier to figure, say, grams in a kilogram than ounces in a ton.

tom Barta . 22 October 2007


Hello,

Maybe a linktip for your site
http://www.frontpage-news.com

This website is a fake news website, made to fool your friends, colleagues, enemies etc...
to let them believe their name is on the headpage of the newspaper.
Just fill in the data of the person you want to fool and this site makes an automatic link
to a fake newsarticle of your choice. You can also make your own personalised article
and insert a picture of the person you want to fool. So what to do now? Just fill in the data,
copy the link and e-mail the link to all your friends! They should believe that the article is 100% true
because it looks very real! Have Fun!

Regards,
Elinda Verbeken
Belgium

elinda . 22 October 2007

Don't go metric, America! You'd lose your unique style! :-)

Adam Sporka . 24 October 2007

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