Should Americans be forces to adopt the Metric system?? LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD!!!?

Question

Even the nation that invented the imperial system (England) doesn’t use it anymore. Metric is far more accurate and it’s what the entire world (except the USA) uses. I'm an architect and it really agitates me when I do deigns because Canadian & European standards requires me to place metric measurements but American ignorance requires me to still use the Imperial system along side it. What a waste of time and money!!!! How much longer is this gonna continue???? It's time you get with it people!!!

Just so you know, this has been put forth to teh UN and the rest of the world is behind it. Since everone but you is using it ... shouldn't it be you that changes? Ever hear of the word "sanction", it can be used on the US too you know!

And I do know both .. quite well actually. My pont iis that its costly for the rest of us to accomodate you, so why should we continue .. you should conform. You should get with it "igot4onit".

And I do know both .. quite well actually. My pont iis that its costly for the rest of us to accomodate you, so why should we continue .. you should conform. You should get with it "igot4onit". Let me add this, you guy don't think its anything to make others "conform", so its nothing to us. It is more acurate and allows for better building, that's why Canada is the leader in Building Technology, because we don't let ignornace get in the way.

"Shortstuff_2's" ... finally someone who's given me an argument to the contrary which makes sense. I can understand it be costly for the country, but don't you think it's better in the long run. Canada did it in the 60's and we managed fine.

"LoneStar" ... A country need not be part of the UN to sanction your ***. A country can choose to do so collectively. Isn't that what the US (and only the US) is dooing to Cuba? You're such an idiot that it's becoming sad. Grow up!

One more thing "LoneStar", The US needs Canada faaaaaaaaaar more than we need you. We have more natural resources than you can conceptualize and if you're not careful, we'll start holding back the lumber and oil. And just so you know, the US gets aprox. 40% of its raw oil from Canada. Once again, you need us more than we need you!!!!

Answer 1

Yes.

Funny story here - don't remember the exact details. Nasa uses the metric system. Several years back when one of their small space thingy's crashed, it was because the programmers did the calculations in the Imperial System ... (this story was told to me by a person who works in Nasa).

Answer 2

First off, Americans rarely are forced into anything, we don't like to be forced and we push back. The more force the stronger the pushback.

Second, the US already has a law that says we should go metric, it was passed in the 1970s. The people of the US are however not accepting of the metric system and change is moving very slowly if at all.

Third, we have adopted some metrics as it concerns products--for example wine--now comes in 750 ml bottles. We still sell milk by the quart, however, you will now note that it is marked also 946 ml. So there is some change, mostly to accomodate international trade. Our schools do teach metric measurement, but fact is our schools are having a hard time lately teaching even English Measurement! Moreover, after they teach metrics, there's not much use for it here. There is only a vague sense of equivalents between English and Metric measures and the English measures work quite nicely thank you.

The fact is the US is large enough, important enough in the world, and already so geared to English measurement, that it collectively sees little need to change.

Answer 3

A study recommended that the United States implement a carefully planned transition to predominant use of the metric system over a tenyear period. Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 “to coordinate and plan the increasing use of the metric system in the United States.” The Act, however, did not require a tenyear conversion period. A process of voluntary conversion was initiated, and the U.S. Metric Board was established. The Board was charged with “devising and carrying out a broad program of planning, coordination, and public education, consistent with other national policy and interests, with the aim of implementing the policy set forth in this Act.” The efforts of the Metric Board were largely ignored by the American public, and, in 1981, the Board reported to Congress that it lacked the clear Congressional mandate necessary to bring about national conversion. Due to this apparent ineffectiveness, and in an effort to reduce Federal spending, the Metric Board was disestablished in the fall of 1982.

Answer 4

It is more rational, but America is not a country of rationalists.

While the metric system is arguably far easier to use than the imperial system, America has proven that it doesn't always cling to the most convenient tenets. It will stick with obsolete policies in order to maintain the status quo.

Look at the tax laws. Look at Daylight Savings Times. These ideas need to be overhauled, but they are not. The odds of America adopting the metric system are very slim indeed.

Edit: I do agree with Shortstuff_2's comment that it would be costly for America to convert. But, this can be alleviated by a transition over 3 to 5 years. Each new speed limit sign can include both MPH and KPH. It would still be costly, but it is possible.

Again, I don't think it's a matter of cost; America is famous for throwing money away. It's a matter of being bull-headed. Americans do not like to change.

Answer 5

I wish we would use the metric system. Being a scientist I use it at work but have to use feet and inches everywhere else. When I was in 6th grade about 30 years ago we learned the metric system because the U.S. was supposed to convert to it. I wonder if they still teach it in school here.

Answer 6

I have had to learn both systems (metric for my chemistry degree/job and Imperial for everyday life). Although the metric system has its conveniences, such as being based on 10s, it would cost way too much money for the US to switch over. All speed limit/road signs, scales, medical records, machinery, tools, football fields, textbooks, etc. etc. etc. etc. would have to be changed. It would cost taxpayers and businesses hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars. Not worth spending that much money on a system that isn't broken.

EDIT: I have to learn both also to accomodate the rest of the world. It's not that we just aren't being accomodating, we have begun to add some metric things to food products as someone else said, but it is impractical at this time to change the system. As I said above it would cost way too much money (much more money than you are spending to accomodate us..........). Plus, all the old people who didn't learn it in school would get really confused. Oh, forgot to mention above, another huge cost, adding the kilometer speedometer to all the cars that don't have it!

Answer 7

FORCED ? Not too likely.. though I laugh that we here in the USA haven't converted. YES, we ARE stupid on that count !! Metric is SO much easier !! Everything relates... no more "how many noses in a foot?"

I was in elementary school back in 1976... we were taught the metric system in preparation for our converstion... and then it never happened !! ONLY in the scientific world have we converted... but we have to convert BACK for press-releases!

So now I have to have two sets of tools... one for my USA appliances, and a metric set for my Car, Bicycle, and non-USA Appliances. I have to have my calculator handy to convert any delicious metric-based recipes.

Yep it's a waste of time and money !!

I'd LOVE to get a specific reference to confirm that we WERE going to convert back around 1976... and WHICH bright bulbs in Congress stopped it !! Also at whose "behest"

Answer 8

We should, but our government was a bunch of wusses and kowtowed to lobbyists from the auto, plumbing, and construction industries. We were supposed to have dual labeling on everything starting in 1975... didn't happen, and even today, new street signs are made that have the miles and mph but don't have the km and km/h.

In this matter, the United States of America is retarded.

On the other hand, why the heck are you still using a QWERTY keyboard to type, when a Dvorak keyboard would be more sensible?

Answer 9

first of all metric isnt more accurate. It doesnt matter what system you use since at any point in calculating something a conversion could be used with no loss of accuracy. Maybe you should get with it and learn both??

Answer 10

Haha, I wish we would use the metric system...

But good luck changing it.