Imperial v Metric System

[Ultimatum]

Why is the Imperial System still used?
It's complicated and doesn't make sense in today's world.

I could calculate the volume 1km x 1km x 1m container in liters mentally, whereas would find 1mi x 1mi x 1yd container in gallons.

Also:
Day:Month:Year = 1:2:3
Monthay:Year = 2:1:3
Why would you do this?

 

[Father Heathen]

I don't think anyone would disagree that metric is more sensible, but imperial is deeply ingrained and accustomed to in U.S. culture. That's really the only reason.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

The map is not the territory. Get over it.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Parenthetically …

Day : Month : Year = 1:2:3
Month : Day : Year = 2:1:3
Why would you do this?

As a programmer I much preferred Year : Month : Day.

 

[Revoltingest]

I've worked for companies which tried to convert from imperial to metric.
They ended up switching back because it's easier to deal with here.
And can you imagine ordering anything other than a "pint" in a pub?

 

[Revoltingest]

Parenthetically …As a programmer I much preferred Year : Month : Day.

That's the format I used in preparation for the Y2K disaster.
(Yes, some of us with ancient software had great difficulties to overcome.)

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

That's the format I used in preparation for the Y2K disaster.
(Yes, some of us with ancient software had great difficulties to overcome.)

Been there / done that.

The obvious value of YYYYMMDD is that it lends itself to lexicographic sorts.

 

[Quintessence]

"Arbitrary retard rollercoaster?"



What a pathetic and uncouth sentiment.

 

[Skwim]

"Arbitrary retard rollercoaster?"



What a pathetic and uncouth sentiment.

The Imperial System
​

made the USA the greatest nation
in the world by challenging us to
think outside the box.

What has the metric system done
for world advancement? I'll tell you.

Laziness is not a virtue.
​

 

[Ultimatum]

made the USA the greatest nation
in the world by challenging us to
think outside the box.

You're... you're not actually serious? ... right?

 

[Skwim]

You're... you're not actually serious? ... right?

See! This is exactly what I'm talking about . You limeys have been so regimented in your thinking by the lack of challenge in your neat little metric system that you're unable to discern the difference between a tongue in cheek post and one that's dead-on serious.

And, it hasn't gone unnoticed that you don't have an answer of your own for my simple question , "What has the metric system done for world advancement? But I guess it's to your credit that you haven't because you recognize the truth of the one I provide: Zippo. Good move on your part.

 

[Valjean]

Americans are notoriously insular and conservative. They'll cling to a thing long after it's usefulness is gone.
American's will adopt the IS only when they're forced to.

 

[Vinayaka]

Of course the US is the greatest country in the world. Ask any American.

 

[Viker]

Of course the US is the greatest country in the world. Ask any American.

This is true. We're up there with the Romans and Brits. And since they're gone we're the big boss now. We're great by any measure.

 

[Skwim]

Americans are notoriously insular and conservative.

To our credit, thank you.

They'll cling to a thing long after it's usefulness is gone.

Which won't be until Armageddon has come and gone.

American's will adopt the IS only when they're forced to.

Like a gun to the back of the head.

____________________________

Of course the US is the greatest country in the world. Ask any American.

Yup. the truth will out. Not that it's that difficult to recognize.

 

[Vinayaka]

Lumber was the worst to transition, and we're still in Imperial. Really hard to think outside of the two by four by 8 stuff.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

"Arbitrary retard rollercoaster?"



What a pathetic and uncouth sentiment.

It's putting it lighter than I would. The scales are arbitrary, illogical, and unsound.

See! This is exactly what I'm talking about . You limeys have been so regimented in your thinking by the lack of challenge in your neat little metric system that you're unable to discern the difference between a tongue in cheek post and one that's dead-on serious.

And, it hasn't gone unnoticed that you don't have an answer of your own for my simple question , "What has the metric system done for world advancement? But I guess it's to your credit that you haven't because you recognize the truth of the one I provide: Zippo. Good move on your part.

The metric system is much easier to work it, much easier to convert units, and units of 10 make since. The imperial system makes working on cars that much harder when you need one set of tools for one car, another set for a different car, and switch back forth for some cars.The funny thing is Americans are either terrified of math or they hate it, and yet the cling to a system that is mathematically harder instead of the more mathematically lazy one.
What has the imperial system brought us that came about solely because we used the imperial system and would not have came out had we been using the metric system?

 

[Quintessence]

Skwim, I'm not objecting to the argument. I'm objecting to it's crude manner of presentation. There is no need at all to call another system of measurement "retarded." I prefer the metric system as well, but low-brow insults like that strike me as uncouth, pathetic, and entirely unnecessary. The argument might as well degenerate into "if you use this, you're a stupid ninny... nyah, nyah nyah!" It's beneath the intellect and sophistication of those who use the metric system to make their case using base insults. Isn't it? :sarcastic

 

[Apex]

Why is the Imperial System still used?
It's complicated and doesn't make sense in today's world.



I could calculate the volume 1km x 1km x 1m container in liters mentally, whereas would find 1mi x 1mi x 1yd container in gallons.

Also:
Day:Month:Year = 1:2:3
Monthay:Year = 2:1:3
Why would you do this?

As an engineer, I despise using english units. But everyone in the US grows up thinking in terms of feet, miles, and lbs. And there really is nothing wrong with that since the majority of people don't have to do complicated computations where units have to all match up. That is where english units become frustrating.

Also, I do have a nit-pick with that picture. The Fahrenheit system is not an arbitrary scale for when water freezes. It was a little more complicated than that. But regardless, I argue that for weather purposes and every day usage, Fahrenheit is actually superior to Celsius.

Spoiler: large picture

 

[Apex]

It's putting it lighter than I would. The scales are arbitrary, illogical, and unsound.

Have you ever looked up how the systems and their units were developed?