Should the US convert to the metric system?

[Jeanjacket]

Originally Posted by bigmoguls

Hey, don't be knocking my phone!

Not arguing that unified formats wouldn't be beneficial, but the world wouldn't advance as fast. HDTV for instance, requires a whole new set of physical implements. I think the difference is that with measurement systems we'd just be changing 1lb for 2.2 kilos, it is not the same a HDTV vs. Std. Def TV or records vs. CDs, VCR vs DVD.

Yes, the metric system is simpler, 1, 10, 100, 1000 vs 1, 12, 5280 (or 1, 16, 2000). But metric and imperial both accomplish the exact same thing, namely measurement of a physical attribute (12 oz of Coke and 355ml of coke are the exact same thing). I can measure to the same level tolerance and accuracy using either. On the other hand, HDTV, CD, DVD, Window 7, IOS, MRI machines, hybrid autos, autoloading pistols are all material improvements over the technology that existed before.

"The world not advancing as fast" is not pertinent to measurements nor a physical quality , and one that I tried to address by saying "assuming programs have just as much freedom and efficiency under this model", which of course wouldn't happen but was irrelevant to the point. You actually even tell me that it's irrelevant by saying measurements are different which means we agree. Don't get caught up on the things that don't matter lol.

Anyway with regards to your point in the second paragraph: I can agree to that, that in the materialistic sense of reality (which is essentially the only one that counts in our world), perhaps it is money better spent elsewhere.

Other than actively converting though, a passive phasing-out could simply be cost-neutral. Meaning don't actively go out and change or replace things, but when things are remanufactured/replaced anyway due to age/wear/etc, we could just simply stop printing imperial/US units on things -- which essentially wouldn't cost us any extra money, and would just be a slow change over time resulting in the eventual disappearance. We'd get the same benefit (granted over a few generations), without the cost deficit.

[KNO3]

I don't really care. I can use either just fine.

[psijac]

Originally Posted by Jeanjacket

It's the same general reason why anything is unified, to reduce ambiguity and make it an efficient process for both the manufacturer and the end-user. The NASA example above is a perfect example.

If the world were to all switch to a single operating system, single connection types, single media format, etc. would everything become just a bit more efficient and simpler? Of course it would. Not straying into the obvious reasons as to why that will never happen

if you think I can only speak in links from other parts of the internet. You are probably right

[Jeanjacket]

Originally Posted by psijac

if you think I can only speak in links from other parts of the internet. You are probably right

lol I'm beginning to really regret using the OS example. People are taking the wrong things from it.

I get the point of the comic, and while it is absolutely true with regards to that in which it regards -- it does not apply.

[JayXDM]

I was pretty familiar with the metric system from having competed in Track & Field. I then lived and worked overseas in Asia for many years and am very comfortable with the metric system. When I moved back to the USA my kids were the ones that had to adjust and learn this "weird" system (as they called it) of feet, inches, and degrees F.

[Pugs]

Metric is base ten and logical. Imperial is arbitrary and illogical.

[Falcon31]

i have always been curious to why our money is a metric based system and our measurements are not

[PsychOfMSE]

I would be thrilled if we switched to metric. It makes so much more sense.

Just my 2 cents.

[gsh341]

There is nothing wrong with either system, but both have their strengths and weaknesses.

I can divide 1 Km into 100,000 cm easily enough in my head, but 1 mile into 63,360 inches is rather difficult.

On the other hand, when someone says it's 15 degrees outside, I know I need a coat, 55 degrees, I need a jacket and 75 degrees I'm fine in a shirt. However, under the metric system I'd need a coat at -9.444 degrees, a jacket at 12.778 degrees and shirtsleeves are good at 23.889 degrees.

The English system is also inherently more accurate using simpler terms. For example 3/4 is 0.75, but 11/32 is 0.34375, 1/3 is 0.333333333333333333333333333 and so on.

As I said, both have advantages and I prefer the US version of the English system.

Just to help clear up some confusion with the US standard system, here are some equivalent measurements based on 1 mile.

1/3 league
8 furlongs
80 chains
320 rods
5280 feet
63,360 inches

As for area

1 sq ft = 144 inches
1 square chain is 4,365 sq ft or 16 sq rods
1 acre is 43,650 feet or 10 chains
1 section is 640 acres or 1 sq mile
1 township is 36 sections or 4 sq leagues

My dad can rattle these off with no problem.

Of course, this presents another problem most people don't consider when they suggest conversion to the metric system for the US. The US was laid out using US standard. This is most evident in rural areas where a gravel road can be found every mile and the country is laid out in neat 1 mile squares.

Imagine some farmer that owns a section of land being told that he now owns 2.589975 sq Kms and that it is further divided into 258.9975 hectares. And that he no longer gets 150 bushels of corn per acre, but 1,529.312 Kg of corn per hectare.

He'll just shake his head, say "whatever" and promptly go back to using acres, sections and bushels as soon as you walk out the door.

[jmichna]

I'm proficient and comfortable with both systems and would have no concerns if we went metric, however, I voted to remain on English measure since I love the pure anachronism & historical derivations of English measure. Metric is just too je ne sais quoi... too... too French!