Why don't we use the metric system?

[devilgrrl]

Back in 5th grade, our teacher told us that we'd be switching to the metric system in the near future because it was much more accurate.

That was almost 30 years ago! :wtf:

Anyone know?

[NoodleBoy]

1. Cuz 'Merka don't need no metrics sistem!

Leave that to the anti-American foreigners.

[qnr]

2. Some of us do

But more accurate? What kind of teacher would say that?

[devilgrrl]

5. How would I know?

It was 30 years ago... I'm no mathematician - in fact, I suck at math in general - so, why does the rest of the world use the metric system and not us?

:silly:

[Dookus]

10. ah

you're from my generation.

yes, back in the olden days, when we were in school, there WAS a national directive that we switch over to the metric system. The opposition was so great that it was abandoned.

[devilgrrl]

12. Ahhhh... guess I missed the evening news that day.

:argh:

[qnr]

21. Went on for quite a while actually.

I didn't expect you to know what your teacher was thinking, of course, it just seemed strange, since you can be just as accurate in either system. Metric is just more logical.

[flowomo]

3. because the Holy Object is SHRINKING!

http://cumberlink.com/articles/2003/05/29/editorial/rich_lewis/lewis01.txt

[wysi]

4. Because...

... the metric system is for commies... oops I mean terrorists.

[jdots]

6. Because the clock goes to 12 ?

the metric system is used in physics and dope deals

[Maple]

7. Everyone in the world

except the US and Myanmar is on the metric system. And it is much more accurate, and easier to use.

[kokomo]

14. Not more accurate but less prone to mathematical errors, maybe.

Our attitude towards metric is just like our attitude that everyone needs to speak English. We are seen as a most arrogant nation.

One reason we don't change is that every gas pump in the U.S. would have to calibrate their pumps, it would cost them some money. Hundreds of thousands of traffic signs would need changing and our states are bankrupt the way it is. Home thermostats, garden thermometers would have to be changed.

As far as converting, I lived in Israel for a year and it only took days to start thinking in "metric", that 49 degrees Celsius in the Sinai Desert was damned hot (120 Fahrenheit). $1.00 a liter was really about $4.00 a gallon (which is common for most folks on earth). When it comes to kilometers, we mostly measured our trips in minutes and hours so we really didn't care to convert. Once you begin to think in metric you don't care what it used to be in the obsolete "English" system (which even the English have dumped).

[flyingfysh]

8. we industrialized before the metric system

so did the UK. Other countries industrialized later, so found it much easier to go metric.

[Kellanved]

24. I don't think so

The meter was "invented" in 1791; the US didn't really industrialize until the late 19th century. In the US's case the late industrialization could be the reason for the imperial system: the metric system was introduced in a 1875 treaty in "all industrialized nations".
The UK (and the commonwealth) didn't go along completely, as public opinion was in favor of the "divine English Inch".

The industrialization argument isn't the reason IMHO, but the political situation in Europe at the time. For instance, Germany didn't exist until 1871; each of the miniature German nations had it's own measurement system. The new nation needed a common system and thanks to Napoleon the meter was well known in all Europe.
With two of the bigger players metric (France did abolish the Meter at first, but returned in 1840), trade forced most other European countries to convert as well (in fact the metric system was common for trade and customs before it was adopted).
England, with the commonwealth, had trade partners using the imperial system, America wasn't really a trade nation.


Indeed many European standards can be traced to Napoleon, be it the metric system or the "Name Surname" naming convention for people. And, Napoleon did never each England (nor the US).



Well, if Jefferson had been a little more convincing, the US might have been the second country in the world to switch to the Metric System.

[smiley_glad_hands]

9. Too much learnin' involved. eom

[gmoney]

11. Because industry didn't want to retool everything

Industry didn't want to have to retool all its production machinery, retool all packaging, shelf displays, scales, etc.

Also, I bet no food manufacturer wanted be the FIRST to sell you a kilo while all the competitors were selling pounds and ounces

Not sure how the 2-liter and 1-liter bottles of pop slipped through the system...

[kokomo]

20. Auto industry has already gone metric, wine/liquor industry.

We have made some movement. The industrialization argument doesn't wash. Germany was just as "industrial" as the U.S. England has already ditched the "English" system. Mostly it is our arrogance that keeps us from changing.

In industries like the automobile where Chrysler is Mercedes and Mitsubishi, where Chevy is Isuzu, etc., metrics have already been put into place due to parts being interchangeable world-wide. We already measure our engine displacement in liters. Our speedometers already measure in both English and metric kilometers per hour. Our biggest hold up is in temperature, mileage, and gasoline in liters. Lumber and plumbing dimensions could easily be changed without much cost. How hard is it to call a 2 x 4 a 5cm x 10cm?

[DieboldMustDie]

13. The metric system is way too simple.

Why base everything on 10 when you can so thoroughly confuse everyone with 3s, 12s, 16s, 32s, 1760s, 5280s etc. :crazy:

[Ivan Sputnik]

15. Because it makes TOO much sense

The metric system = godless European socialism, just like universal healthcare. Sad, innit?

[Rowdyboy]

16. The government mounted a pro-metric press under Carter...

Highway signs were changed to include kilometers. America yawned and said, quietly, "no thanks". So died metrics.

[TheMightyFavog]

17. IIRC, St. Ronnie killed the Metric directive.

At the insistance of the uneducated and industry.

[yardwork]

18. Yes, Ronnie Raygun actually declared victory with the metric system!

He gave a speech saying that America had successfully switched to the metric system so there was no need to spend anymore money on it.

[Guy Fawkes]

19. Even after Congress passed a pro-metric law...

we're too stubbern to switch. We are the only country on earth that doesn't use metric. Funny thing is, our system is refered to as the "standard system"

(Metric is SI, or System Internationale)

[PittPoliSci]

22. TAKE YER GODDAMNED COMMIE METRIC SYSTEM OUTTA HERE!!!

"Oh! the Outlaw Josey Wales!"

I love Eddie Izzard, brilliant stuff!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

23. Basically, enough ignoramuses objected that the changeover was

never implemented. You know the type, "I'm set in my ways. Besides, pounds and feet were good enough for Jesus, they're good enough for me."

I had to learn it to live in Japan, and the metric system was easy, once I figured out a handy equivalent for each standard: a meter is a bit longer than a yard, a kilogram is a little more than two pounds, a kilometer is a little over half a mile, a liter is a little larger than a quart. Oh, and 0 degrees is 32, 10 is 50, 20 is 68, 30 is 86, and 40 is 104.

[Kellanved]

25. I had no problems with the US system...

until I tried to operate a oven.
In normal situations converting did just work fine, but when I tried to cook, I was completely lost.

[Amaya]

26. I use it all the time in my line of work

But yeah, I don't think we'll be switching over anytime soon.

[Briarius]

27. I think Grandpa Simpson summed it up best:

"The metric system is the tool of the devil. My car gets forty rods to the hogs head and that's the way I likes it"

it's really just people are too stubborn to change unless you totally force them. Give them no option and they will learn.