13 MAR 2015 by ideonexus
Spelling Reform Requires Competition of Spelling Options
The first condition of rational progress in spelling
reform is that persons who know, or who think they
know, how words should be speld, should recover some-
thing of their former freedom to spel in accordance
with individual judgment. Only in that way can there
be a wholesome rivalry of forms with ultimate survival
of the best.
The Board does not expect any one to adopt a spelling
that, to him, suggests a pronunciation at variance with
his usage.
Those whose temper moves them to ...Not everyone hears or speaks words the same way. Let variances of spelling propagate and have the public adopt that which seems correct by consensus.
07 JUN 2012 by ideonexus
The USA Should Adopt the Metric System
You, in this country [the USA], are subjected to the British insularity in weights and measures; you use the foot, inch and yard. I am obliged to use that system, but must apologize to you for doing so, because it is so inconvenient, and I hope Americans will do everything in their power to introduce the French metrical system. ... I look upon our English system as a wickedly, brain-destroying system of bondage under which we suffer. The reason why we continue to use it, is the imaginary diff...Kelvin predicts Britain is stuck with it, but America will adopt.