Many countries (like here, Canada) are kind of a mix. I buy deli meat in grams, but I weigh myself in pounds. I travel kilometers, but I measure my height in feet and inches. Gas and milk are sold by the liter, but recipes (even ones from Canadian sources) are usually still in cups.

Really, the States isn't so different than that. There's plenty of metric floating around there already in places where it helps the most.

The divisions that are actually used are also not consistent. Nobody uses centiliters or decigrams (or many of the other units he mentions) - and very few would know whether a decimeter is longer or shorter than a decameter. The actual commonly used units vary on the measure: millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers; milliliters, liters; milligrams, grams, kilograms.

And the system misses chances for natural alignment. For example, a liter of water fits in a 10-centimeter wide cube and weighs a kilogram. I have no idea why it was made that way. In particular, it seems like it would have been more intuitive to have a kilogram be called a "gram" (and thus have a short word that corresponds to a more generally useful amount, like a pound) - and then a liter of water would weigh a gram. Though I guess then we'd then need less weildy micrograms for, say, medication. I suppose there's no clear right answer.

Anyways, obviously the metric system is superior for a lot of things - but there's a reason beyond stubbornness that other measures persist for different uses (I like the British "stone" measure for human weight for example - and certainly a "cup" of an ingredient is pretty handy). All in all, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

I think we fear the Metric system more.

>> ^paul4dirt:

wait, i don't understand, have they been running for over 11 hours if i understand the counter correctly? that must have been some crazy distance? or is it 1+1 for the hours and so would be 2:13 which would be possible marathon time for top runners?
and aww, poor guy indeed


They are on the metric system over there, so it's like 4 days they've been running.

>> ^quantumushroom:

11 degrees Celsius? Why not just say 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit?


because the metric system rules!

I bet those truckers use the metric system and don't know wtf 11'8'' is in meters.

2 meters? And you're in America? Really?

Tryin' hard to push that metric system in the States again, eh?

Except I'm not a right winger. I actually voted for the idiot. I want my vote back. He is as bad as bush. >> ^NetRunner:

@<a rel="nofollow" href="http://videosift.com/member/Sigh" title="member since July 3rd, 2009" class="profilelink">Sigh, LOL, you're right, I never considered option C) Irrational right-wing morons blame Obama for failing to ram the metric system down Americans' throats.
Thanks for reminding me never to underestimate just how irrational and moronic the right is!

@Sigh, LOL, you're right, I never considered option C) Irrational right-wing morons blame Obama for failing to ram the metric system down Americans' throats.

Thanks for reminding me never to underestimate just how irrational and moronic the right is!

Like I said, the signs was just one element. Every aspect of life would change. You think people wouldn't complain if a first down in football isn't 10 yards? Just another simple example.

As for the A or B. A, Americans would never generally agree and B, do Americans really need another reason to hate failbama? The US missed its chance to convert when Bush was president. If he suggested it, people would say, "Hey look, the idiot is going something smart!" If Obama does it, it will just be added to his life of reasons why he won't be elected to any public office ever again. >> ^NetRunner:

As if on cue, one of the beltway press bobbleheads comes right out and explicitly makes the case for stupidity being superior to intelligence.
@<a rel="nofollow" href="http://videosift.com/member/Sigh" title="member since July 3rd, 2009" class="profilelink">Sigh, I don't think it's the cost of changing signs that's stopping us from going to metrics.
Tell me, if Obama announced an initiative to officially convert us to the metric system by, say, 2030, which scenario do you think is most likely?
A) Americans generally agree that we should convert, but question the costs of conversion.
B) The media and conservative politicians throw a hissy fit about how this proves that Obama hates America, and that abandoning miles and feet is essentially a surrender to Al Qaeda and the French.

As if on cue, one of the beltway press bobbleheads comes right out and explicitly makes the case for stupidity being superior to intelligence.

@Sigh, I don't think it's the cost of changing signs that's stopping us from going to metrics.

Tell me, if Obama announced an initiative to officially convert us to the metric system by, say, 2030, which scenario do you think is most likely?

A) Americans generally agree that we should convert, but question the costs of conversion.
B) The media and conservative politicians throw a hissy fit about how this proves that Obama hates America, and that abandoning miles and feet is essentially a surrender to Al Qaeda and the French.

The french comment I'm assuming? I'm only asking from all the anti-american sentiment all over the site, I say one thing about french people from a factual standpoint actual confirmed by scientist and I get warned...I'm just wondering so I can avoid stating facts anymore. >> ^dag:

This kind of comment, while acceptable on many sites - is not acceptable here. Please review the comment guidelines here: http://videosift.com/faq-en.php#comments
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In reply to this comment by Sigh:
Count the difference between european countries and the US in roads per country. I'd be willing to be a shit ton of money we have more. Between road signs and mile markers alone, that is literally millions and millions of signs to be changed. You think we want to pay more taxes to switch something that doesn't have to be switched? Fuck that. They already take enough of my money. It all comes down to money. There is no argument that has more impact on this than money. You can keep flapping your gums about it and keep calling us laggards, but you'll always be wrong.
Yes, frogs. I hate the french. Rank assholes. They need to come to the new age and learn to use some fucking soap. Yes I've been there. It's filthy.>> ^Throbbin:
I say hogwash. Many folks in Europe used SI, and they switched regardless of their financial investment. Americans think they're so special, when in reality they are laggards in this regard. Just because some frog says so? Really? Is the American worldview so jaded and conceited that the messenger is more important than the merits of the message itself?>> ^Sigh:
The only reason metric was adopted in Europe was so everyone could count on their fingers and toes.
To the actual topic, what's the difference with how computers are in almost every aspect of life. Calculations done by hand are a thing of the past. The only thing people are interested in is the answer. If a scientist is working in his lab and something comes out in feet and inches, he uses that. If its in meters, he uses that. You think he cares what his measurements units are? No. He cares about the results. Saying miscalculations are more prevalent in computers using non-metric systems would be as dumb as this argument.
If computers didn't run our lives metric would make sense. I'm an engineer, base 10 systems exist everywhere around us and I use it everyday. Why did feet and inches survive? Computers. If I have something measured in inches, I put the inches into the computer and change the units. Does it make it harder for me to hit enter to get my answer? Not at all.
If armageddon comes and sends us back to the stone age maybe metric will be used everywhere. It's not about stubbornness. It's about a lack of caring. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Since everyone in the US mainly uses it, they won't change it. If they did change it, aside from making new tape measures and thermometers, it wouldn't make a difference. Life would go on. You think people are going to buy new tape measures and thermometers just because some frog says so? Think again.
From another applied standpoint, buildings, roads and almost all construction is based off the Imperial system. Sheetrock is 4 feet, studs in a wall are made to fit this. Ceiling, 2x4s and roof supports are all made based on this system. That's another change of an entire industry of materials.
Practical application does not outweigh financial investment. At least not in today's world.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

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In reply to this comment by Sigh:
Count the difference between european countries and the US in roads per country. I'd be willing to be a shit ton of money we have more. Between road signs and mile markers alone, that is literally millions and millions of signs to be changed. You think we want to pay more taxes to switch something that doesn't have to be switched? Fuck that. They already take enough of my money. It all comes down to money. There is no argument that has more impact on this than money. You can keep flapping your gums about it and keep calling us laggards, but you'll always be wrong.

Yes, frogs. I hate the french. Rank assholes. They need to come to the new age and learn to use some fucking soap. Yes I've been there. It's filthy.>> ^Throbbin:

I say hogwash. Many folks in Europe used SI, and they switched regardless of their financial investment. Americans think they're so special, when in reality they are laggards in this regard. Just because some frog says so? Really? Is the American worldview so jaded and conceited that the messenger is more important than the merits of the message itself?>> ^Sigh:
The only reason metric was adopted in Europe was so everyone could count on their fingers and toes.
To the actual topic, what's the difference with how computers are in almost every aspect of life. Calculations done by hand are a thing of the past. The only thing people are interested in is the answer. If a scientist is working in his lab and something comes out in feet and inches, he uses that. If its in meters, he uses that. You think he cares what his measurements units are? No. He cares about the results. Saying miscalculations are more prevalent in computers using non-metric systems would be as dumb as this argument.
If computers didn't run our lives metric would make sense. I'm an engineer, base 10 systems exist everywhere around us and I use it everyday. Why did feet and inches survive? Computers. If I have something measured in inches, I put the inches into the computer and change the units. Does it make it harder for me to hit enter to get my answer? Not at all.
If armageddon comes and sends us back to the stone age maybe metric will be used everywhere. It's not about stubbornness. It's about a lack of caring. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Since everyone in the US mainly uses it, they won't change it. If they did change it, aside from making new tape measures and thermometers, it wouldn't make a difference. Life would go on. You think people are going to buy new tape measures and thermometers just because some frog says so? Think again.
From another applied standpoint, buildings, roads and almost all construction is based off the Imperial system. Sheetrock is 4 feet, studs in a wall are made to fit this. Ceiling, 2x4s and roof supports are all made based on this system. That's another change of an entire industry of materials.
Practical application does not outweigh financial investment. At least not in today's world.

Why don't you tell us how you really feel?>> ^Sigh:

Count the difference between european countries and the US in roads per country. I'd be willing to be a shit ton of money we have more. Between road signs and mile markers alone, that is literally millions and millions of signs to be changed. You think we want to pay more taxes to switch something that doesn't have to be switched? Fuck that. They already take enough of my money. It all comes down to money. There is no argument that has more impact on this than money. You can keep flapping your gums about it and keep calling us laggards, but you'll always be wrong.
Yes, frogs. I hate the french. Rank assholes. They need to come to the new age and learn to use some fucking soap. Yes I've been there. It's filthy.>> ^Throbbin:
I say hogwash. Many folks in Europe used SI, and they switched regardless of their financial investment. Americans think they're so special, when in reality they are laggards in this regard. Just because some frog says so? Really? Is the American worldview so jaded and conceited that the messenger is more important than the merits of the message itself?>> ^Sigh:
The only reason metric was adopted in Europe was so everyone could count on their fingers and toes.
To the actual topic, what's the difference with how computers are in almost every aspect of life. Calculations done by hand are a thing of the past. The only thing people are interested in is the answer. If a scientist is working in his lab and something comes out in feet and inches, he uses that. If its in meters, he uses that. You think he cares what his measurements units are? No. He cares about the results. Saying miscalculations are more prevalent in computers using non-metric systems would be as dumb as this argument.
If computers didn't run our lives metric would make sense. I'm an engineer, base 10 systems exist everywhere around us and I use it everyday. Why did feet and inches survive? Computers. If I have something measured in inches, I put the inches into the computer and change the units. Does it make it harder for me to hit enter to get my answer? Not at all.
If armageddon comes and sends us back to the stone age maybe metric will be used everywhere. It's not about stubbornness. It's about a lack of caring. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Since everyone in the US mainly uses it, they won't change it. If they did change it, aside from making new tape measures and thermometers, it wouldn't make a difference. Life would go on. You think people are going to buy new tape measures and thermometers just because some frog says so? Think again.
From another applied standpoint, buildings, roads and almost all construction is based off the Imperial system. Sheetrock is 4 feet, studs in a wall are made to fit this. Ceiling, 2x4s and roof supports are all made based on this system. That's another change of an entire industry of materials.
Practical application does not outweigh financial investment. At least not in today's world.

Count the difference between european countries and the US in roads per country. I'd be willing to be a shit ton of money we have more. Between road signs and mile markers alone, that is literally millions and millions of signs to be changed. You think we want to pay more taxes to switch something that doesn't have to be switched? Fuck that. They already take enough of my money. It all comes down to money. There is no argument that has more impact on this than money. You can keep flapping your gums about it and keep calling us laggards, but you'll always be wrong.

Yes, frogs. I hate the french. Rank assholes. They need to come to the new age and learn to use some fucking soap. Yes I've been there. It's filthy.>> ^Throbbin:

I say hogwash. Many folks in Europe used SI, and they switched regardless of their financial investment. Americans think they're so special, when in reality they are laggards in this regard. Just because some frog says so? Really? Is the American worldview so jaded and conceited that the messenger is more important than the merits of the message itself?>> ^Sigh:
The only reason metric was adopted in Europe was so everyone could count on their fingers and toes.
To the actual topic, what's the difference with how computers are in almost every aspect of life. Calculations done by hand are a thing of the past. The only thing people are interested in is the answer. If a scientist is working in his lab and something comes out in feet and inches, he uses that. If its in meters, he uses that. You think he cares what his measurements units are? No. He cares about the results. Saying miscalculations are more prevalent in computers using non-metric systems would be as dumb as this argument.
If computers didn't run our lives metric would make sense. I'm an engineer, base 10 systems exist everywhere around us and I use it everyday. Why did feet and inches survive? Computers. If I have something measured in inches, I put the inches into the computer and change the units. Does it make it harder for me to hit enter to get my answer? Not at all.
If armageddon comes and sends us back to the stone age maybe metric will be used everywhere. It's not about stubbornness. It's about a lack of caring. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Since everyone in the US mainly uses it, they won't change it. If they did change it, aside from making new tape measures and thermometers, it wouldn't make a difference. Life would go on. You think people are going to buy new tape measures and thermometers just because some frog says so? Think again.
From another applied standpoint, buildings, roads and almost all construction is based off the Imperial system. Sheetrock is 4 feet, studs in a wall are made to fit this. Ceiling, 2x4s and roof supports are all made based on this system. That's another change of an entire industry of materials.
Practical application does not outweigh financial investment. At least not in today's world.

I say hogwash. Many folks in Europe used SI, and they switched regardless of their financial investment. Americans think they're so special, when in reality they are laggards in this regard. Just because some frog says so? Really? Is the American worldview so jaded and conceited that the messenger is more important than the merits of the message itself?>> ^Sigh:

The only reason metric was adopted in Europe was so everyone could count on their fingers and toes.
To the actual topic, what's the difference with how computers are in almost every aspect of life. Calculations done by hand are a thing of the past. The only thing people are interested in is the answer. If a scientist is working in his lab and something comes out in feet and inches, he uses that. If its in meters, he uses that. You think he cares what his measurements units are? No. He cares about the results. Saying miscalculations are more prevalent in computers using non-metric systems would be as dumb as this argument.
If computers didn't run our lives metric would make sense. I'm an engineer, base 10 systems exist everywhere around us and I use it everyday. Why did feet and inches survive? Computers. If I have something measured in inches, I put the inches into the computer and change the units. Does it make it harder for me to hit enter to get my answer? Not at all.
If armageddon comes and sends us back to the stone age maybe metric will be used everywhere. It's not about stubbornness. It's about a lack of caring. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Since everyone in the US mainly uses it, they won't change it. If they did change it, aside from making new tape measures and thermometers, it wouldn't make a difference. Life would go on. You think people are going to buy new tape measures and thermometers just because some frog says so? Think again.
From another applied standpoint, buildings, roads and almost all construction is based off the Imperial system. Sheetrock is 4 feet, studs in a wall are made to fit this. Ceiling, 2x4s and roof supports are all made based on this system. That's another change of an entire industry of materials.
Practical application does not outweigh financial investment. At least not in today's world.