The avoidance of using the Joule as a unit of energy. Sometimes used equivocally, especially in the
United States, in describing a strong preference for the use of the calorie. Specifically, Joule Misanthropy refers to those who castigate or otherwise judge
humans who do express energy as joules. Joule Misanthropists are known as being particularly intransigent in their
anti-joule stance.
This inclination and its relatively widespread popularity are thought to have been originated by those who opposed the popularity of James Prescott Joule. This movement probably began after Joule famously spurned William Thomson (later Lord Kelvin); the two had planned an experiment together, which Joule then neglected in favor of marriage and a honeymoon. Although essentially
left standing at the flask, Lord Kelvin understood and offered his congratulations to the happy couple. However, Kelvin supporters were enraged and began an
anti-Joule campaign. This caught hold particularly in the Americas, probably due the residual
anti-
English sentiment of the time.
Formally, Joule Misanthropy is defined as the the use of a unit of energy other than the joule in a context in which the use of
said unit would generally be considered illogical or not practical. For example, expressing the energy required by a human to lift a
small object in electronvolts would constitute Joule Misanthropy.
"Hey, I heard
Patty was accepted to that prestigious US institution!"
"Yes, but he has decided not to attend due to the widespread Joule Misanthropy there."
"That's a
shame. I can't believe
people can still be so small minded in the 21st century."
