Nations Who Have Not Adopted the Metric System (Pic)

[JustinM]

The English system of measurement works just fine. We have become the most powerful nation on Earth using the English system. If it AINT broke, DONT fix it.

It AIN'T broke, it just ain't EFFICIENT.

12 inches = foot? 5280 feet = mile? It's all so arbitrary and stupid compared to a decimel system.

For one, it would cost mega $$$ to change signs, measuring instruments, tools, etc. Can you imagine all the new highway signs alone that would need to be made and installed on top of removing the old ones?

Do you remember when the multi-billion dollar Mars mission failed because of the dual use of standard and metric units? Wouldn't have happened if the US had gone metric. And you don't have to be an engineer to be inconvenienced by the stupidity of standard. In high school we ran on a 1/4 mile track yet the events were metric, with most distance events being multiples of 400m, which is just slightly longer than a lap. The difference would pile up over long races and make hard to take splits and stagger the legs in relays. It was really annoying.

Surely you don't have to be a scientist to see the importance of an international standard measurement.

Do you remember who funded that mission? The American Tax Payer, which wouldn't be around to pay the bill if our forefathers hadn't been unique, independent and inventive. Electricity, telecommunications, automobiles, internal combustion engine, space travel, rocket science, nuclear power, air conditioning, air travel, I could go on and on about America's accomplishments because of its independence and uniqueness, but just about every modern convenience the entire world uses was researched, developed and invented by American Scientists.

So, my question again, if we have done so many great things for the world, why do we need to give up our identity and be like everyone else? It'd be like expecting a mathmatician to become a janitor because it was the thing for mathmaticians to do. It's illogical and foolish.

So, last time, why doesn't the world adapt to American ingenuity and unique qualities, if it has benefited so much because of that? Seems like the world owes a lot to the USA, but like any ungrateful spoiled child, it only demands more, more, more.

[JustinM]

It AIN'T broke, it just ain't EFFICIENT.

What? That doesn't make sense. How can something that breaks be efficient? The whole point of efficiency is: The ratio of the effective or useful output to the total input in any system.

In other words, if it takes a lot of time and energy input just to remain operational, then it isn't efficient. If I had a refrigerator that was constantly running, but didn't seal properly, I'd consider it broken, then get a new, more efficient refrigerator.

[Gerioke]

The English system of measurement works just fine. We have become the most powerful nation on Earth using the English system. If it AINT broke, DONT fix it.

It AIN'T broke, it just ain't EFFICIENT.

12 inches = foot? 5280 feet = mile? It's all so arbitrary and stupid compared to a decimel system.

For one, it would cost mega $$$ to change signs, measuring instruments, tools, etc. Can you imagine all the new highway signs alone that would need to be made and installed on top of removing the old ones?

Do you remember when the multi-billion dollar Mars mission failed because of the dual use of standard and metric units? Wouldn't have happened if the US had gone metric. And you don't have to be an engineer to be inconvenienced by the stupidity of standard. In high school we ran on a 1/4 mile track yet the events were metric, with most distance events being multiples of 400m, which is just slightly longer than a lap. The difference would pile up over long races and make hard to take splits and stagger the legs in relays. It was really annoying.

Surely you don't have to be a scientist to see the importance of an international standard measurement.

Do you remember who funded that mission? The American Tax Payer, which wouldn't be around to pay the bill if our forefathers hadn't been unique, independent and inventive. Electricity, telecommunications, automobiles, internal combustion engine, space travel, rocket science, nuclear power, air conditioning, air travel, I could go on and on about America's accomplishments because of its independence and uniqueness, but just about every modern convenience the entire world uses was researched, developed and invented by American Scientists.

So, my question again, if we have done so many great things for the world, why do we need to give up our identity and be like everyone else? It'd be like expecting a mathmatician to become a janitor because it was the thing for mathmaticians to do. It's illogical and foolish.

So, last time, why doesn't the world adapt to American ingenuity and unique qualities, if it has benefited so much because of that? Seems like the world owes a lot to the USA, but like any ungrateful spoiled child, it only demands more, more, more.

I would think it would cost a lot more for the world to convert than it would for the US. Don't let your pride cloud your judgement.

[The Lorax]

Do you remember who funded that mission? The American Tax Payer, which wouldn't be around to pay the bill if our forefathers hadn't been unique, independent and inventive. Electricity, telecommunications, automobiles, internal combustion engine, space travel, rocket science, nuclear power, air conditioning, air travel, I could go on and on about America's accomplishments because of its independence and uniqueness, but just about every modern convenience the entire world uses was researched, developed and invented by American Scientists.

So, my question again, if we have done so many great things for the world, why do we need to give up our identity and be like everyone else? It'd be like expecting a mathmatician to become a janitor because it was the thing for mathmaticians to do. It's illogical and foolish.

So, last time, why doesn't the world adapt to American ingenuity and unique qualities, if it has benefited so much because of that? Seems like the world owes a lot to the USA, but like any ungrateful spoiled child, it only demands more, more, more.

Justin, your argument is ridiculous. No amount of patriotic rhetoric could force me to take it seriously.

Yes, America's greatness stems from the independence and the creativity of our thought and action. But that has nothing to do with what you are arguing for. You are arguing that we cling to an archaic standard of measurement. That is the opposite of being innovative, free-thinking, and independent. It just shows we can't free ourselves from arbitrary conventions decided in the past, that we can't move on to a system that is clearly and measurably better than the traditional one. By your same logic, we should have stuck with whale oil for lighting and never moved onto electric.

You are also implying that we as Americans draw IDENTITY from the standard system. Really? ...I always thought we drew identity from being hard workers, helpful neighbors, avid churchgoers, and fierce patriots. If you really think America stands to lose its identity by switching to the metric system, then you must think America is a pretty boring, colorless place.

One last thing: did it ever occur to you that the metric system is simply intrinsically BETTER? Well it is. It is a decimal system, meaning it is based on the number 10, which is the easiest multiplier to work with. It is also based on single quantitative units (for instance, the meter for distance, the gram for weight, etc), whereas the standard system is often based on two or more quantitative units (like inches, feet, and miles for distance; or ounces, pounds, and tons for weight; etc). These are stupid complications that make calculations needlessly difficult. Metric is simpler and thus it is better.

In other words, if it takes a lot of time and energy input just to remain operational, then it isn't efficient. If I had a refrigerator that was constantly running, but didn't seal properly, I'd consider it broken, then get a new, more efficient refrigerator.

Yes, and that is exactly what I'm saying about the standard system. It works, it just doesn't work well enough. Time to get a new one.

[nebula]

For one, it would cost mega $$$ to change signs, measuring instruments, tools, etc. Can you imagine all the new highway signs alone that would need to be made and installed on top of removing the old ones?

Do you remember when the multi-billion dollar Mars mission failed because of the dual use of standard and metric units? Wouldn't have happened if the US had gone metric. And you don't have to be an engineer to be inconvenienced by the stupidity of standard. In high school we ran on a 1/4 mile track yet the events were metric, with most distance events being multiples of 400m, which is just slightly longer than a lap. The difference would pile up over long races and make hard to take splits and stagger the legs in relays. It was really annoying.

Surely you don't have to be a scientist to see the importance of an international standard measurement.

Actualy, that was my quote, not hr. jr.'s

For the record, I was trying to answer your question, not necessarily argue against your position. You asked why, and I presented "why."

Did you know that back in the 1970's, Congress attempted to convert America to using metric units? Well, it didn't work.

I Googled to see if someone had bothered to record why it failed. So far, this is the best I found:

http://ask.yahoo.com/20060425.html

Well, that's not entirely true. The U.S. has used the metric system since 1866, when Congress first made it legal. While traditional units of measurement like gallons and inches remain the default for everyday use, the country's scientific and business communities are longtime supporters of all things metric.

Readers might remember the government's attempts to bring the metric system to the masses. In 1975, Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act. Highway signs that once measured distances only in miles now listed distances in kilometers also. The Federal Highway Administration received thousands of complaints, so the project was soon abandoned. It seems you just can't teach an old motorist new tricks.

These days, the U.S. is best described as a "soft metric" country, meaning it supports the metric system, but not exclusively. For example, buy a can of Coke and you'll notice it says "12 fluid ounces (355 mL)." Will America ever become a "hard metric" nation? Not bloody likely. Or to put it another way, when pigs fly at 100 mph (161 km/h).

[rtwo]

That sounds about right, Nebula. There just isn't any point to converting, nor a compelling enough reason to spend the money on doing so. When I go through Canada, I use the "Kmph" numbers on my speedometer instead of my "mph". When the situation calls for it, I use metric. Also, the US military tends to use Metric for a great many situations.

Is there a need to continue into all-out metric use? Cost-benefit says no.

[TheoMike]

The Metric system is way more efficient in every way over the Imperial system and easier to understand. You just have to get used to it. I recall when Canada made the switch back in 1976, I think it was, lots of old timers were dead set against it and refused to listen to the Canadian weather broadcasts because they were in Celsius.

But really, it just takes getting used to.

[JustinM]

My judgement isn't clouded by pride. Maybe arrogance. . .

If the US wanted to change to Metric, I wouldn't resist it, but I think people are getting too wound up over this.

I also stated earlier that America was gradually integrating the metric system of measurement to our society. Many American Automobiles are assembled with nuts and bolts using the Metric system and I am sure there are many more things that I haven't noticed yet.

My point was, we can change if it makes sense, but if people want to change because everyone else is doing it, then I'm against that.

[Axxman]

I thought the metric system was for the less educated people who couldn't do math outside of 10x multipliers. I never realized how "inconvenienced" I was by the standard, Imperial system...

I personally don't care because I can do math outside of 10 multipliers so I can use either system. However...I believe the imperial system is more precise. For example...one-third of a foot = 4 inches...whereas one-third of a meter = 333.333333.... millimeters. There are too many fractural problems with metric. It is limited to maintaining a basic math function. Obviously, these are not HUGE problems but it does show a minor flaw in the system. The imperial system uses a system of fractures that allows for more precise measurements...although, it does take some education to fully comprehend and go beyond basic measurements.

[Marnie]

The rest of the world has gone metric for everything, and America in dealing with other nations has also gone metric, and it's been that way for decades. I think it's very cool that as a society we have maintained feet, inches, pounds and miles in our everyday lives. I don't that coming to an end any time soon.