Why aren't we on the metric system?

Hydrae · 07-16-2007, 03:03 PM

Given that the system of weights and measures we currently used is the "English" system and England gave that up long ago, why are we clinging to this achaic, non-intuitive system?

Below is a map showing all the countries not using the Metric system currently. Can you name the others without looking them up? (I was close on one and lost with the other)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ric_system.png

Pitt Gorilla · 07-16-2007, 03:09 PM

Because we don't use a base 10 number system....Wait...

Radar Chief · 07-16-2007, 03:10 PM

Actually, England hasn’t fully integrated the metric system. At least they still measure speed in MPH.

Hydrae · 07-16-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Actually, England hasn’t fully integrated the metric system. At least they still measure speed in MPH.

I actually asked that of the guy who sent me this map. I believe they use miles all the way around, for speed and for distance (I suppose that it would be silly with any other combination).

orange · 07-16-2007, 03:22 PM

"Why aren't we using the metric system?"

Because it's French. Are you at all familiar with politics in America?

HolmeZz · 07-16-2007, 03:25 PM

I assume that's all the US, Liberia, and Myanmar have in common.

trndobrd · 07-16-2007, 03:53 PM

Because we are the last line of defense defending our cultural heratige for future generation. Within twenty years of adopting the metric system the meaning of The Who's "I Can See for Miles" would be lost to the world forever.

Hydrae · 07-16-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolmeZz

I assume that's all the US, Liberia, and Myanmar have in common.

Good call. I actually had looked at an older map and saw it as Butan.

Rooster · 07-16-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trndobrd

Within twenty years of adopting the metric system the meaning of The Who's "I Can See for Miles" would be lost to the world forever.

I never thought of it like that before.

I guess Denver would then be called 1.6 Kilometer High. I can live with that.

**KC Dan** · 07-16-2007, 04:09 PM

Don't forget the 1.6 kilometer high club

or

it really is 15.24cm long....

Ultra Peanut · 07-16-2007, 04:13 PM

What's that country in the Pacifici I bet they're not commies!

Hydrae · 07-16-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

What's that country in the Pacifici I bet they're not commies!

Umm, you mean Hawaii?

Ultra Peanut · 07-16-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrae

Umm, you mean Hawaii?

No I think that's some commies. The one in red.

StcChief · 07-16-2007, 04:22 PM

after we were force to learn all the conversion factors in
1968-69 because it was a few years away.......

CHIEF4EVER · 07-16-2007, 04:45 PM

They tried to put us on the metric system in the 70's. It bombed.

07-16-2007, 03:03 PM
Hydrae MVP Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $61977	Why aren't we on the metric system? Given that the system of weights and measures we currently used is the "English" system and England gave that up long ago, why are we clinging to this achaic, non-intuitive system? Below is a map showing all the countries not using the Metric system currently. Can you name the others without looking them up? (I was close on one and lost with the other) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ric_system.png
Posts: 10,077

07-16-2007, 03:09 PM	#2
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $86495	Because we don't use a base 10 number system....Wait... __________________ That rabbit is crazy; I'm Brian Waters! Kotter: "You are lucky I'm truly not the vindictive or psycho type...I'd be careful from now on, and I'd just back the hell off if I were you....otherwise, the Mizzou "extension office" life might get exciting" Kotter: "You're just gay. G-A-Y. Gay."
Posts: 18,408

07-16-2007, 03:10 PM	#3
Radar Chief 7000 RPM of tire churning fury Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In the box. Casino cash: $84536	Actually, England hasn’t fully integrated the metric system. At least they still measure speed in MPH. __________________ Like "Cool Hand" Luke I'm busting rocks. __/\|_/[___] \|/ \\_\| ---OllllO _( ))~-( ))-0--))
Posts: 19,586

07-16-2007, 03:22 PM	#5
orange MVP Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Denver, CO Casino cash: $70871	"Why aren't we using the metric system?" Because it's French. Are you at all familiar with politics in America?
Posts: 11,661

07-16-2007, 03:25 PM	#6
HolmeZz i guess its bittersweet poetry Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NeW HaVeN, CT Casino cash: $9045	I assume that's all the US, Liberia, and Myanmar have in common.
Posts: 16,517

07-16-2007, 03:53 PM	#7
trndobrd tainted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Tolerance Box Casino cash: $23564	Because we are the last line of defense defending our cultural heratige for future generation. Within twenty years of adopting the metric system the meaning of The Who's "I Can See for Miles" would be lost to the world forever. __________________ "I don't really think there is a need to raise or debate this point." -jAZ
Posts: 6,243

07-16-2007, 04:09 PM	#10
KC Dan Red, White & Blue for the U.S. Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: The Great Northwest now.. Casino cash: $48365	Don't forget the 1.6 kilometer high club or it really is 15.24cm long.... __________________ "And if you don't know where you're going Any road will take you there" - George Harrison
Posts: 5,594

07-16-2007, 04:13 PM	#11
Ultra Peanut The Realest Sport Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: University of Jah Casino cash: $174717	What's that country in the Pacifici I bet they're not commies! __________________
Posts: 39,326

07-16-2007, 04:22 PM	#14
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $1024708	after we were force to learn all the conversion factors in 1968-69 because it was a few years away.......
Posts: 25,902

07-16-2007, 04:45 PM	#15
CHIEF4EVER Just a man in the 'ghan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Jalalabad, Afghanistan Casino cash: $8983	They tried to put us on the metric system in the 70's. It bombed. __________________ "Igitur qui deciderat pacem, praeparatur bellum" -Flavius Vegetius Renatus
Posts: 13,672

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