who elese thinks america should go metric?

Question

im an engineer and you guys piss me off with stupid imperial bs
should go to metric like the rest of the world it makes it so much easier when your ordering i beams and tubing and well what ever makes it way more easier and accurate

Answer 1

As a Physics teacher, I beleive strongly that America should go to the metric system. Theoretically, it would save me a couple days if I didn't have to worry about teaching the metric system and metric conversions. That's my selfish reason :)

As a non-selfish reason, the metric system is the strictly better system. The units mix well together when you start looking deeper into units for force and energy. The numbers work real well when you need to look at a 3-D object (1 cubic cm = 1 mL, for instance). Anyone know how many cubic feet are in a gallon?

And, who wants to use "slugs" for mass?

We'll get there, eventually. Once we get a popular reality TV show that uses the metric system, then it will change :)

Answer 2

The metric system isn't any more accurate than the english or imperial system. The accuracy relies only on the device used to measure and the person doing the measuring. The benefits of the metric system are standardization and base 10. Standardization means that everyone uses the same system, or most do, anyway. Base ten means that units progress in multiples of ten (10 millimeters per centimeter, 10 centimeters per decimeter, 10 decimeters per meter, etc.) as opposed to the seeming randomness of other systems (12 inches per foot, 3 feet per yard, 5280 feet per mile, etc.).

An interesting note from Wikipedia: "On January 8, 2007, that NASA decided to use the metric system for all operations regarding the moon.[1] Thus, the NASA declared the moon to be "metric", and stated that the total land area in the solar system affected by the metric system was increased by 27% by this move."

Answer 3

Hi!
I'm a retired engineer and have long appreciated the advantages of using a coherent measurement system -- the "System International" (aka MKSA) is fantastic. I"ve watched our politicians delay the inevitable my whole life and now I'm convinced that the bible-thumpers in congress actually want to keep America stupid. Our current historical system of units is completely irrational and prevents students from appreciating the coherent simplicity of Nature. The metric system began with the French Revolution and the (God is dead) Enlightenment. That's why our good Christian congressmen will never approve of it. Religion requires an ignorant population to deceive. Nothing that helps people discover the Truth about Nature has ever been acceptable to those who promote religious superstition. In other words, don't hold your breath....

Answer 4

It would be nice for us to have metric, and yes it would make things easier. But it would be difficult, and would take several years to make the change.

Answer 5

Well it makes sense. Even England doesn't go with their original measurements. NASA has to covert for both type of units.