Measurement & Infestation
The metric system measures the world with precision. Termite inspections measure the damage the world has done to your house. Both involve careful observation, standardized units, and professional certification.
The Decimal Advantage
The metric system's genius lies in its base-10 structure. Converting between units requires only moving a decimal point: 1 kilometer = 1000 meters = 100,000 centimeters. No bizarre conversions like 5,280 feet to a mile or 16 ounces to a pound.
This consistency allows scientists worldwide to collaborate without conversion errors. The Mars Climate Orbiter crashed because one team used metric and another used imperial. Termites, meanwhile, don't care what units you use—they'll eat your house regardless.
| Metric | = | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| 1 meter | = | 3.281 feet |
| 1 kilogram | = | 2.205 pounds |
| 1 liter | = | 0.264 gallons |
| 1 termite colony | = | 60,000+ termites |
The Silent Destroyers
Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage annually in the United States alone. They work silently, invisibly, eating wood from the inside out. A termite colony can consume about one foot of 2x4 lumber per year.
Professional inspections involve probing wood with sharp instruments, tapping walls to listen for hollow sounds, and examining foundation lines for mud tubes. The inspector measures damage in linear feet—metric or imperial, depending on jurisdiction.
Why Metric Matters
- Universal scientific standard
- Base-10 simplicity
- Coherent derived units
- International commerce
- Pharmaceutical precision
- Engineering consistency
Why Inspections Matter
- Real estate transactions
- Mortgage requirements
- Structural safety
- Insurance claims
- Early detection savings
- Peace of mind
Standard Inspection Protocol
WDI Inspection Checklist
The Unified Measurement Problem
The metric system gives us a universal language for measurement. Termite inspections give us a universal fear about what's happening inside our walls. Both represent humanity's attempt to quantify the world—one through rational standardization, the other through panic-driven professional assessment.
A termite inspector in France measures mud tube length in centimeters. An inspector in the United States measures in inches. The termites continue eating regardless of which system is used. Some things transcend measurement.