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| why is the US not Metric |
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| rstofer:
--- Quote from: SerieZ on October 29, 2019, 03:57:19 pm ---Your second point is just plain wrong. In a Unit System Nationality is Irrelevant. <snip> Plus we are in the year 2019, not '69. --- End quote --- Actually, it is about sentiment. How do people feel about changing to a standard controlled elsewhere, given that we already have a system that we think we control (we really don't due to international conventions on unit conversions)? Do we really want our system of units controlled by the French? The vast majority of people, if you asked such a question, would say "No!". Think about NIH on a massive scale. It doesn't have to make sense, it's just the way people may feel. I have no dog in the hunt, either system works for me but, day to day, it's customary units. When I help my grandson with his college courses it will likely be metric. There is no compelling reason to change. Among other things, we don't have to deal with 'g' when converting between pounds force and pounds mass at the Earth's surface which is where most of us live. 'Kips' is a perfectly fine unit for structural engineering and I doubt it will ever change. In the electrical business, I suspect we will continue with AWG and MCM for a very long time. Changing units provides no benefit. There is simply no compelling reason to change that will get the attention of the proverbial 'person on the street'. We simply don't care what the rest of the world does. It's all about sentiment! |
| rstofer:
--- Quote from: jfiresto on October 29, 2019, 04:01:55 pm --- --- Quote from: rstofer on October 29, 2019, 03:27:12 pm ---You could also explain the issue as a matter of elitism. The elite use metric and the last thing they want is for the commoners to understand what they're talking about so there is no real push to convert. Those who need to use metric can and will. Those who don't need it will never convert. --- End quote --- No sir, the common American will never get a grip on metric. :) --- End quote --- You're looking at the wrong unit. Coca Cola is purchased in units of cans or bottles as singles, 6-packs or flats. When I make a beer run, it is for cases or six-packs, not ounces versus liters. Even cases varies depending on the size of the box. So, I buy extra. Some people buy beer in terms of kegs. Who cares how many liters are in a keg? Is it cold? Can I keep it cold? Have I got a tapper? It's all about units! Beer is NOT measured in liters! Or ounces! |
| tooki:
--- Quote from: rstofer on October 29, 2019, 04:35:27 pm --- --- Quote from: SerieZ on October 29, 2019, 03:57:19 pm ---Your second point is just plain wrong. In a Unit System Nationality is Irrelevant. <snip> Plus we are in the year 2019, not '69. --- End quote --- Actually, it is about sentiment. How do people feel about changing to a standard controlled elsewhere, given that we already have a system that we think we control (we really don't due to international conventions on unit conversions)? Do we really want our system of units controlled by the French? The vast majority of people, if you asked such a question, would say "No!". Think about NIH on a massive scale. It doesn't have to make sense, it's just the way people may feel. I have no dog in the hunt, either system works for me but, day to day, it's customary units. When I help my grandson with his college courses it will likely be metric. There is no compelling reason to change. Among other things, we don't have to deal with 'g' when converting between pounds force and pounds mass at the Earth's surface which is where most of us live. 'Kips' is a perfectly fine unit for structural engineering and I doubt it will ever change. In the electrical business, I suspect we will continue with AWG and MCM for a very long time. Changing units provides no benefit. There is simply no compelling reason to change that will get the attention of the proverbial 'person on the street'. We simply don't care what the rest of the world does. It's all about sentiment! --- End quote --- Ok, first off, lay off the French. France may have originated the metric system, but it is categorically wrong to claim they control it. It is as international as anything could be. Moreover, we already use it, insofar as all the US customary units were redefined with metric units long ago. (E.G. the formal definition of the inch is “25.4mm” now.) What you are correct about is the US resisting change until there’s a tangible benefit. The metrication nuts don’t seem to understand that it’s dumb to spend money and take on risk to make a change with little or no benefit. As you said, where the benefits are tangible, we DID switch. A good retort would be: if changing is so easy, then how come Europe hasn’t standardized on one AC socket? 🤔 |
| tooki:
--- Quote from: rstofer on October 29, 2019, 04:44:55 pm ---You're looking at the wrong unit. Coca Cola is purchased in units of cans or bottles as singles, 6-packs or flats. When I make a beer run, it is for cases or six-packs, not ounces versus liters. Even cases varies depending on the size of the box. So, I buy extra. Some people buy beer in terms of kegs. Who cares how many liters are in a keg? Is it cold? Can I keep it cold? Have I got a tapper? It's all about units! Beer is NOT measured in liters! Or ounces! --- End quote --- I assure you, it is. There are multiple sizes of cans and kegs, and breweries and bars most definitely need to know what they’re trading. |
| CatalinaWOW:
Posts 181 to 184 capture the essence perfectly. The vast majority of people world wide don't care what unit system is used. The one they grew up with works fine, and they have no reason to change. Those who buy, sell or communicate internationally find it inconvenient to deal with multiple systems. Most would prefer the system they grew up with. The metric system has some minor intrinsic advantages, and has gained the advantage in number of users and will probably, sooner or later take over everywhere. And worldwide there are bigots who can't mind their own business and demand that everyone do it their way. In a hundred years the measurement system war will likely be completely over, but those folks will still be complaining about something. |
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