Should the US Adopt the Metric System?

[Cow Poke]

I think the metric system makes total sense in the medical field.

[Teallaura]

Link directions:
Search Metric
>Wikipedia Metric
>Wikipedia History of the Metric System.

Also contains the metric time system.

[One Bad Pig]

I use a measuring tape all day every day at work. One edge has inches, the other is metric. Most things we sell come in a version measured in inches and one in metric. Having both is more confusing than having either one or the other, and when it comes down to it, metric makes more sense and is easier to use.

I say we just switch and get it over with. If someone is stupid enough to think that a sign that says 100kph means they can drive 100mph, then that's just natural selection at work.

I would love to let natural selection work. But Noooooooooooooooo, we have to have warnings on cordless drills that they're not designed with dental work in mind, and warnings on cups that coffee is hot.

[Teallaura]

I think the metric system makes total sense in the medical field.

Metric has been authorized in the US since 1826 I think. If it is so great it shouldn't need a mandate to compete

[Cow Poke]

Metric has been authorized in the US since 1826 I think. If it is so great it shouldn't need a mandate to compete

Somehow, the medical field seems to work with it quite well. I, on the other hand, REFUSE to build stuff with a metric tape measure! I'll stick with cubits.

[Sparko]

I use my cordless drill for dental work all the time!

And I like taking a bath with my hair dryer plugged in and in the tub to save time.

[klaus54]

I think the question can be flipped. Why should the U.S. adopt the metric system? We have been using our customary unit for what, 120 years or so? Unless there is a real fault with what we have been using, I don't see a reason to change it.

The big problem is that science is done in the metric system. Continually converting from USCS to SI (Systeme Internationale -- the proper name for the "metric" systerm) and SI to USCS is confusing and a distraction to learning.

Also, the SI is EASY if someone takes a week to try to learn it.

[Cow Poke]

The big problem is that science is done in the metric system. Continually converting from USCS to SI (Systeme Internationale -- the proper name for the "metric" systerm) and SI to USCS is confusing and a distraction to learning.

Also, the SI is EASY if someone takes a week to try to learn it.

Wasn't there a space flight problem related to this when the US and Soviets worked together on Space flight?

[klaus54]

Somehow, the medical field seems to work with it quite well. I, on the other hand, REFUSE to build stuff with a metric tape measure! I'll stick with cubits.

How long (measured in what system) is it from your elbow to the tip of your longest finger?

[klaus54]

Wasn't there a space flight problem related to this when the US and Soviets worked together on Space flight?

Me thinketh so

[Cow Poke]

Me thinketh so

Ah, $125 MILLION in this one incident alone from 1999....

Source: CNN

-- NASA lost a $125 million Mars orbiter because a Lockheed Martin engineering team used English units of measurement while the agency's team used the more conventional metric system for a key spacecraft operation, according to a review finding released Thursday.

© Copyright Original Source

I seem to remember another space station type docking problem.

[klaus54]

Ah, $125 MILLION in this one incident alone from 1999....

Source: CNN

-- NASA lost a $125 million Mars orbiter because a Lockheed Martin engineering team used English units of measurement while the agency's team used the more conventional metric system for a key spacecraft operation, according to a review finding released Thursday.

© Copyright Original Source

I seem to remember another space station type docking problem.

"English" units -- shows how ignorant we are, even profession reporters.

[Cow Poke]

Ah, $125 MILLION in this one incident alone from 1999....

Which is, of course, 17 TRILLION in 2015 dollars!

[Cow Poke]

"English" units -- shows how ignorant we are, even profession reporters.

Yeah, over the years, I've had "English" and "Metric" Craftsman tools. I haven't checked lately to see how they designate the sillymillimeter tools.


ETA: Ah, "inch/metric" wrenches!!!!!

[Cow Poke]

Here's an interesting fact sheet showing problems with the conversion, and turning them into math word problems. Great idea! Deals with the loss of the Mars Orbiter, a problem with a Disney ride in Tokyo, and an Air Canada flight that ran out of fuel due to conversion errors.