Chapter 1: The Global Adoption of the Metric System

Across the globe, the Metric System has become the standard for measurement. However, countries like the USA and a few others still hold onto outdated systems of measurement that date back to ancient times. The prevailing sentiment seems to be, “If it was suitable for early civilizations, it should work for us today.”

Consider the confusion and frustration that arises from using measurement systems that lack logical connections and clarity. For example, a typical US recipe might instruct you to use a stick of butter, a cup of flour, three ounces of cocoa powder, and a teaspoon of sugar.

How much is a "stick"? Is it a twig, a branch, or something else entirely? And what size cup are we referring to? Furthermore, how do ounces relate to pounds? Even the teaspoon measurement can vary—should it be heaped or level? Such ambiguities lead many Americans to resort to purchasing pre-packaged goods instead of attempting home cooking, which often ends in frustration.

British measurements can be even more perplexing. When asked about weight, a British person might respond with something like "I weigh ten stone five." But what does that even mean? How large is a stone, and at what point does it transition from a stone to a boulder? The inability to convert these measurements only adds to the confusion—how many pints are in a pound, for instance?

In the USA, even temperature is complicated due to the use of Fahrenheit. Water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. If we're going to stick with a convoluted system, it could at least be more entertaining—imagine if water froze at 31 2/17ths of a degree and boiled at 211 4/31sts! Instead, the system is simply frustrating and mundane.

At this point, let’s explore the advantages of the Metric System. In this system, all units are interrelated and based on powers of ten, making conversions straightforward. For instance, water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C, while one kilogram of water equals one liter. This simplicity is why science predominantly uses the Metric System.

Energy, for example, is measured in joules, which can be defined based on the forces applied to an object over distance. To raise one gram of water (equivalent to one milliliter) by one degree Celsius requires 4.2 joules. In contrast, attempting to calculate how much energy is needed to raise a fluid ounce by one degree Fahrenheit can quickly become an exercise in frustration.

Returning to the clarity offered by the Metric System, distances are measured in kilometers—1,000 meters make a kilometer, while 100 centimeters comprise a meter. This eliminates the need for confusing units like inches, feet, or fathoms. For example, stating "the house is 2.3 kilometers away" translates directly to 2,300 meters, as opposed to the convoluted calculation needed for "a mile and a third."

When it comes to large and small measurements, the Metric System offers a precise way to express these values. Americans often use vague terms like "gazillions" after a certain point because they lose a sense of scale. With the Metric System, we can define distances like the average space between the Earth and the Sun as 1.4712 x 10^8 kilometers, or the average diameter of a human hair as 2.54 x 10^-3 centimeters.

Because of its logical structure, the Metric System is the choice of engineers and scientists worldwide. For instance, the coldest temperature achievable, where atomic motion ceases, is 0 Kelvin or -273 degrees Celsius. All scientific measurements are defined in metric terms to avoid the complications of antiquated systems.

For a stark illustration of the pitfalls of using outdated measurements, consider the 1999 NASA Mars Climate Orbiter mission. This costly endeavor ended in disaster due to a mix-up between Imperial and Metric units, resulting in the lander crashing into Mars instead of landing gently.

In a world where the majority are utilizing a straightforward and sensible system, there’s little justification for clinging to outdated measures that would likely embarrass even historical figures.

Chapter 2: Understanding the Metric System

The first video, "Measure for Measure: Context and Pre Reading," provides an overview of the themes and background of Shakespeare's play, setting the stage for deeper analysis.

The second video, "Measure for Measure Act 1 Analysis," delves into the first act of the play, examining its characters, plot development, and significant themes.