[olau]

Seeing like a state does not argue against the meter system.

It just explains that many of these things got traction despite the resistance against them only because the state needed them.

In the case of measurement units, one was that the natural units varied in size and could be gamed, which is a big problem for fair tax collection.

[throwanem]

I don't suppose I expected to need to clarify the difference between citing a work whose thesis informs my own, and quoting from a work where my thesis is actually stated. But it now being evident I was optimistic: This is the first one.