Will America Ever Go Metric?

[wriot]

Originally Posted by Pike

Personally I do not think nor do I want us to change. Our founders decided when they freed themselves to be different from the others. As to converting just say it in metric. If they really want to know they will convert it themselves. I have a conversion page bookmarked.

I don't get it? America's founding fathers wanted America to be based upon imperial units? Seriously though - I imagine America used the imperial units because that's what the much hated British were using at the time. There was certainly no uniqueness in using imperial units back then. The USA's reluctance to adopt metric units, is not a problem, but it's just a bit old fashioned really. The UK has been encouraged to adopt some metric units by the European Union, there was a lot of outcry about it - particularly by old ladies - but really it's been for the best conversions between metric units and metric units is, naturally, so much easier than conversions between imperial and imperial. I say don't knock it until you've tried it.

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by komitsuki

USA decimalized their currency long time ago. Why can't USA "decimailize" (using metric system) their measures?

It's ironic. USA promotes ANSI (American National Standards Institute) set of standardizations around the world but it can't do the opposite.

Read my previous post apparently some of you think its as easy as slicing off a piece of pie. Think again and actually think about it not just talk.

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by Pike

Personally I do not think nor do I want us to change. Our founders decided when they freed themselves to be different from the others. As to converting just say it in metric. If they really want to know they will convert it themselves. I have a conversion page bookmarked.

I pretty much agree with you

When we have to cooperate with other countries we use the metric system (joint military operations and training) look if you don't want to do the conversion then learn both damn systems. I have not seen anyone say its hard just a pain in an ass which i link more to laziness. "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by Sinestra

Read my previous post apparently some of you think its as easy as slicing off a piece of pie. Think again and actually think about it not just talk.

It would not be an easy thing, but that is also not a good enough reason to simply give up on it totally. Obviously it cannot happen overnight, or everyone would be utterly lost and confused. But a gradual introduction of metric units into all facets of daily life, along with more emphasis on them in schools would make a huge difference. People aren`t going to go out of their way to learn something if it gives them no benefit in daily life - and at this point, it really doesn`t. For example, change road speed signs to dual, and make the kph larger on new cars... Make it easier to determine things by looking to the metric side by pricing things in stores by gram/kilogram, without removing the option to use imperial units. Just make them more inconvenient to use bit by bit.

[TalnSG]

I think the whole conversion issue is hampered more by tradition and laziness than anything else. It would take considerable adjustment for the American public (myself included), but I have still endorsed ever since I can remember.

It is just plain ridiculous that gasoline is sold by the American gallon, the Imperial Gallon (come on UK, you too!), the barrel and the liter.

Since decimal math is easier, let's just get the conversion done and over with!

[Aniki]

I have the same problem on the Internet. Every time the conversation goes around height, weight or temperature, I always use the metric system, and expect the other person to use the online converter if he really is interested in knowing. But instead I get "how much is that in pounds, inches, etc?" and in the end, I'm the one who ends up using the online converter.

[Sinestra]

Originally Posted by Nyororin

It would not be an easy thing, but that is also not a good enough reason to simply give up on it totally. Obviously it cannot happen overnight, or everyone would be utterly lost and confused. But a gradual introduction of metric units into all facets of daily life, along with more emphasis on them in schools would make a huge difference. People aren`t going to go out of their way to learn something if it gives them no benefit in daily life - and at this point, it really doesn`t. For example, change road speed signs to dual, and make the kph larger on new cars... Make it easier to determine things by looking to the metric side by pricing things in stores by gram/kilogram, without removing the option to use imperial units. Just make them more inconvenient to use bit by bit.

Oh i agree with you that is exactly what Nagoyankee and myself were discussing and that was my suggestion from the get go. I favor a dual method giving people the option to use both people react better with choices. But some think this can happen over night which it cant. As you said people wont bother with something that has no benefit in their daily life and honestly like you said there wont be one in the short run. I think both systems should be taught side by side all the way through school and once it has cycled for a generation start slowly but surely change road signs ect ect to dual. I dont mind either system but im not in favor of completely eliminating a system that has been in place for a long time. America is better at melding rather than getting rid of one system in favor of another.

But some of the ignorant comments on here makes me want to face palm.

[komitsuki]

Originally Posted by Sinestra

I dont mind either system but im not in favor of completely eliminating a system that has been in place for a long time.

In non-western countries, their traditional measuring systems were eliminated to favor either metric or imperial (but most imperial countries chose metric) or seldom use in a limited context. A loss of traditional culture.

In many of those countries, officializing dual use is not a optimal long-term plan because of need for industrialization (favoring the West).

Many of these countries didn't have the luxury to have more than one respected standards. America is one of the few cases that doesn't.

In many cases, dual systems are very short-lived.

Originally Posted by Sinestra

But some of the ignorant comments on here makes me want to face palm.

Sorry about that but perhaps that's because we use a measuring system that is quasi-universal except for three countries. We just have different mindsets with few significant differences on this issue. That's about it.

I used to use the imperial system but forgot it completely.

[hennaz]

Being British, I'm very used to the metric system, and I think it's far easier to use than imperial/American measures. However, I always seem to think of road distances in miles, my steak in ounces, a person's weight in stones and pounds (a stone is 12 lbs.), and a person's height in feet and inches (I've no idea what my height is in centimetres, all I know is that it's 5' 8"!). As for America going metric, I really think they should, as it's easier, more accurate, easier to convert to smaller measures (ie. metres to centimetres is easier than feet to inches), and it's pretty much the only universally recognised system.

[darksyndrem]

It kind of upsets me that Americans expect other countries to be the ones that should know our system, or expect people from other countries to have converters ready and stuff. We should be the ones that know other countries system, ESPECIALLY since all the other countries use the Metric system, and we're practically the only ones that aren't using it. I feel like it shows how selfish a lot of Americans are =\