What Do the United States of America, and Her People, Fear about the Metric System?

reply to post by weedwhacker


Not Fear.

I'm comfortable with it now....

But back in the day. When the great conversation started I forget exactly when. Our teacher said "Screw it" and he didn't bother teaching it. I later became self taught.

reply to post by spellbound

Thats exactly why its up to us.
They(the few rich families that own the world)will be fighting any type of change all the way.
We either will let them rip us off or not.
How are we doing so far?

reply to post by dodadoom


Not very well.

They will win on this planet but not on others, which matter more.

It all depends on what you believe.

Originally posted by whitewave
It's fine for banking but not for astronomy, quantum physics, higher education subjects.

Can you explain?

The only difference I see is that they have two different "sets" of measurement, that makes all of my science classes that much more confusing...

So why isn't metric better for those subjects besides the fact of what you are used to?

reply to post by ANNED

What drives me totally NUTS are cars that use both.

LOL!! Thanks for that, ANNED, sorry for laughing but it's so ridiculous it's a bit funny.

Guess it's an opportunity for learning, eh?

reply to post by FritosBBQTwist

Excellent points you almost brought up!

Metric is easier because everything is divided in tenths! Cake!
Ironically, it actually allows more accuracy too!
Because, there are basically more numbers to describe the same thing.
(to avoid the inevitable question)

Isnt numerical accuracy what its all about in the first place?

But change is scary I know. (hence my name)
We wouldnt change if we knew we had to. (read my islanders story previously)
We would rather just confuse ourselves trying to figure out either one!
Good thread OP. Bout time this topic was brought up for americants!
S & F!


[edit on 13-9-2009 by dodadoom]

Britain is so confused on the metric/imperial debate.

We buy petrol in Litres, but our roads are measured in miles.

Height and Weight are feet and inches, stones, pounds and ounces.

Food is measured in grams and litres, apart from sweets which still come in quarter oz.

Use both i say!

As it's been said, why does the US have to change? It's what 300 million people are used to and it's not like America using inches effects the rest of the world [our scientists use metric after all]. Most Americans are taught the metric system in school. Where I'm from in Florida, in school, we used metric as much as imperial in math and science classes.

Many people, I'm sure, actually end up using the centimeter side of the ruler from time to time at home (I know I did anyway) when an inch is just too big!

In the end, it's not like Americans are ignorant and don't know how to use the metric system. It's simply that, due to our heritage, we chose to use what the British used, not because we "hated" the French. [What a silly thing to say!] If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Oh, I think that, unlike it's been said here, those that are used to the standard system can easily do the math in their head for reducing and adding, in a recipe for example. The standard system really isn't that difficult. Those comments must come from people that aren't familiar with it!

Originally posted by spellbound
reply to post by dodadoom

 

Actually, it is not American arrogance.

It results from some other idiot who thought it would be a good idea to fix something that was working - a really bad idea.

Gotta disagree on the not broken part. Problem in europe was that a german pound was different not only from british pounds, but also from *other* german pounds. Every region having their own system sure caused a lot of inconvenience. From that prespective the US holding out that long doesn't suprise either. That's a pretty big region. Can't really ignore it if you want to sell things there. *but* it does cause additional costs, (being relayed on the customer of course) And of course if US wants to export things they really can't ignore the "other region" being the world.

reply to post by octotom

It's what 300 million people are used to and it's not like America using inches effects the rest of the world...

Yes...but being "used to" it doesn't wash, when it becomes more and more anacronistic.

I agree, most Americans aren't "stupid". Being ignorant of the workings of something is not stupidity. NOT all students are taught Metric System, or those that are may not care...because it hasn't been shown to be important to them.

Too many Americans tend to be, and choose to remain, insulated from the rest of the World. Wrapping one's head in the 'Flag' is not the best way to defeat the encroachment, whether real, or imagined, of outside influences that may see, to undermine what is believed to be important.

I am not trying to say that adoption of the Metric System is a way to undermine anything, I am trying to state the contrary.

NOT realizing the importance of a strong understanding, and familiarity with, Metric is a potential downfall for the USA.

thank you for this thread,im tired of america using theyr mp/h system,they always have to be the wrong side, cant they just use meterics like the rest of us

As beings that are basically water. Living on a planet thats' surface is basically water. The metric system should be the most natural system of measurement as it is based on pure water.

0°C = Water Freezes
100°C = Water boils

From wikipedia

1,000 litres = 1 cubic metre ≈ 1 tonne of water
1 litre = 1 cubic decimetre ≈ 1 kilogram of water
1 millilitre = 1 cubic centimetre ≈ 1 gram of water
1 microlitre = 1 cubic millimetre ≈ 1 milligram of water

And its uncanny how a country that has no metric system has such an impact on that system in other countries.

Up until I was in the about 5th grade, 1 Billion was 1 million million here in Australia. Then we somehow got switched over to 1 thousand million being a billion. When we were told about the switch in school, they told us it was in keeping with the US Media.

Edit to add : We were told in school it was because of the US media's need to sensationalise values. "1 Billion seems more impressive than 1 thousand million"

Wikipedia



[edit on 13-9-2009 by beta.services]

reply to post by beta.services

1 Billion was 1 million million here in Australia

Uh, I think that would be a trillion.

But, at least number are in the decimal system!! (Unless you're into computer language, but that is a specific niche...)

reply to post by weedwhacker



If you cared to follow my wikipedia link...

In modern (short scale) English language usage, it is usually called a billion (although in many other languages and long scale usage, a billion means 1,000,000,000,000 - a million millions).

Just say "NO" to metric

Practical use of metric measurements

building with metric units

Caution: Metric system in use

A scientist's view

I would embrace this change with open arms. No fear here.

How about the rest of the world get in line and do it right.

The pyramid inch is one hair breadth difference than the currect U.S. inch. Metric is ???




[edit on 13-9-2009 by LuFri]

Originally posted by Stillalive
thank you for this thread,im tired of america using theyr mp/h system,they always have to be the wrong side, cant they just use meterics like the rest of us

Well those "wrong sided" people used their [antiquated system] and flew to the moon @ 25000 mi/h with it.

reply to post by dodadoom


I realize this, which is why I am confused someone said it was not better...

This is why I am not becoming a scientist! Hate conversions.

reply to post by beta.services


Well, see I do NOT acknowledge the "long scale" usage! [sniff, sniff -- adopting haughty attitude--]

I'm afraid it isn't the USA, or the "English" system, or the dreaded 'media' who have "forced" this upon you, mate.

Scientific notation, and a standard for communicating large numbers.

Besides, to the drugged masses blithely staring and drooling at their TVs, a "million million" is FAR more important-sounding than "BILLION".

But, I digress.

You know, I just realized something -- when I hear U.S. Military people in the field talking about distances, THEY use Metric terms. Maybe there's hope, yet......