Using metric

[Ebinesos]

I am wondering who out there finds themselves using metric in an English unit system USA.

In the era of hope and change, is it possible for the US to now switch to a metric system?

Is it discriminatory practice to force scientist and engineers to work with an inferior unit system (English).

[magi13]

that is a very very good idea. it's easier to divide and multiply things by ten rather than 12 or having the trouble to convert them. ^,^

why don't you suggest that in you country?

still, by now you should know that this will not be an easy thing because different factions use different methods and some companies in your country may prefer on over the other.

your idea of uniformity is valid since metric system 1-10 is easier than 1-12

[Brutha]

It would make sense to legislate mandatory use of the metric system in large parts of the US.
On the other hand Americans don't like government intervention of that kind.

[magi13]

that's true too. atleast he can inform them of the idea, that is available.

now the only thing that will hinder him is the system.

[Brutha]

that's true too. atleast he can inform them of the idea, that is available.

Every one knows that there is such a thing as the metric system.
However there's no incentive for someone to switch when all the people around him still use the other system.

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by Ebinesos

I am wondering who out there finds themselves using metric in an English unit system USA.

In the era of hope and change, is it possible for the US to now switch to a metric system?

Is it discriminatory practice to force scientist and engineers to work with an inferior unit system (English).

Maybe God uses base 12 and y'all are on the wrong system?

It will never happen in the USA.

[magi13]

Never say never. <-- double redundancy

anyway, it is up to the US and you guys are right on that part.


I concede. Just keep a mental note that it is a good idea.

[SomeRandomGuy]

Switching to the metric system makes complete sense. It amazes me that people here in the US are so resistant. I think that ultimately the reason is just stubbornness and the us vs the world mentality that a lot of Americans seem to have.

[Brutha]

Maybe God uses base 12 and y'all are on the wrong system?

You still use the decimal system. If you would have a consequent system that uses base 12 it would be no problem.
The problem exists when you have different bases in different things within one system.
A mile for example isn't based on 12 feet, 12^2, 12^3 or 12^4 feet.

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by Brutha

You still use the decimal system. If you would have a consequent system that uses base 12 it would be no problem.
The problem exists when you have different bases in different things within one system.
A mile for example isn't based on 12 feet, 12^2, 12^3 or 12^4 feet.

Does it have to be? Yes it would be easier if I always had to do calculations in my head. Having computers really makes things easy no matter what your base.

I guess it's not an issue for me. I don't see the base 12 system as broken, just different.

Would everyone calling for the metric system also rally for a 13 month/28 day calendar?

[SomeRandomGuy]

Originally Posted by Dharma

Would everyone calling for the metric system also rally for a 13 month/28 day calendar?

I absolutely would. What is the point with having a calendar that requires a silly song to remember how many days are in each month?

[Brutha]

Does it have to be? Yes it would be easier if I always had to do calculations in my head. Having computers really makes things easy no matter what your base.

That's not true.
Computer aren't able to calculate mistake free and additionally dividing by 12 makes everything more unreliable.

I guess it's not an issue for me. I don't see the base 12 system as broken, just different.

You don't happen to have a real base 12 system.

Would everyone calling for the metric system also rally for a 13 month/28 day calendar?

While I would like having a 13 month/28 day system the case is a bit different: 13 and 28 aren't nice numbers.
It would be more similar to simply elimate months altogether.

Months and weeks are also social constructs that create stronger effects when you change them.
It matters whether a company pays it employes 12 or 13 per year a paycheck.

[Ebinesos]

metric is used to measure things against humanity. We measure things that we make.

On the other hand, time is outside our hands, and in some ways made us. As a result we need to conform our measurements to it.

Long ago we were limited to measuring what we could see with our eyes, now we have the aid of technology to expand our scope, whichexpands the network of our mind.

We have moved beyond dust and mountains to molecules and stars.

[Hagerup]

If people would have 12 fingers instead of 10, we wouldn't have used the number 10 as a basis for our numeric system in the first place. So why don't we wait until genetic engineers manage to give us 12 fingers, or 26 (to make us type faster, give better massages, and use the alfabet as our numeric system aswell).

[Ebinesos]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Months and weeks are also social constructs that create stronger effects when you change them.

I would disagree with you here at least on months. Months are physical constraints imposed on us from outside our control (any human). The gestation periods of animals (humans take cycles of time)

Now how does this apply to metric?
They are the same principle: simplifying towards rationality. Base ten units are easy to focus on, it easily scales logarithmically, it standardizes measurements, which leads to an increase in safety and ease of design and data comparison.

I am not only arguing for calendar change and a metric switch, but reforms which simplify and remove internal challenges, so as to make it easier to face the external world.