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For some reason, I woke up this morning feeling compelled to rant on the subject of one of my favorite pet issues...
I feel that the United States should implement a program of converting to the metric system of measurement. I know this issue is not currently on the political radar, and even if it were, my stance would not likely be a popular one. This does not change the fact that metrication would be beneficial for our nation.
Our current system of measurement, the British Imperial system, is a relic of bygone centuries. It is most likely derived from (depending on who you ask) the length of an old king's foot or 12x the width of his thumb. The Metric system comes from the other side of the Enlightenment. It is based on 1/ten-millionth of the distance between a pole and the equator, giving it a far more scientifically-sound foundation. Currently, there are 190-some nations in the world on one side of this issue... and the U.S., Myanmar and Liberia on the other.
Technically and legally speaking, the United States government has already declared the metric system our preferred system of measurement. President Ford signed that into law, and Congress reiterated this stance in the 1980s.
In between those two events, we had the one-term presidency of Jimmy Carter. Carter was prepared to act on metric conversion in the start of his second term. I shouldn't have to tell you the history. Carter lost to Reagan, and thus ended the last best chance this country has seen for metric conversion for decades. I was 10-11 weeks old when Reagan beat Carter. The United States was on the verge of metric conversion in the start of my lifetime, and despite decades of inaction I feel this process should be undertaken within my lifetime.
At this point in my monologue, dear reader, I am sure you are asking "OK, kdogg, you've said why we didn't go metric in the past... but why should we do it now?"
I think now is the most opportune moment I've seen in my lifetime to do this.
First, there is symbolic value in metric conversion. We still haven't recovered from eight years of George W. Bush, both domestically and in the eyes of the world. Aside from simply making more sense than our current system, standardizing our system of measurement with upwards of 95% of the world would be a gesture signifying increased American interconnection with the world community.
Second, we already are partly involved in a metric conversion. This primarily takes place in the scientific, medical, and military aspects of our economy (and throw in soda manufacturers and No-No Word dealers for good measure - no pun intended.) These are three leading economic sectors. We teach the metric system to children in our schools - alongside the current system. I feel it is redundant to teach our students two systems of measurement. I also feel that this redundancy might be a causal factor in American students' lagging results, in areas including science and mathematics, in comparison with other industrialized nations. In an age of heightening globalization (which is inevitable, and if you disagree with me on this, there are Egyptian mummies wrapped in Chinese silk who'd like to speak to you) I feel our current system puts as at an academic - and therefore, economically competitive - disadvantage.
Third, and probably most relevant in our times, is the economic stimulus that would come from a government-mandated program of metric conversion. Metric conversion on a national scale would apply to every state in the Union and most sectors of the economy. The times we live in favor Keynesian intervention by the government to improve economic conditions, and our system of measurement should be no exception.
Metric conversion would be a huge job boon if we can ensure the necessary work is done domestically. Every road sign that would need replacing = manufacturing jobs. Every product that would need new packaging = graphics design jobs. Every law that mentions a measurement would need recalibration = legal/government jobs. Every public school student who will grow up learning metric instead of the current system = new textbooks (printing/editing,) and more teacher training (potentially; they're already teaching it...) For citizens already out of the public school system, there are private-sector opportunities = metric lessons (education) both in and out of the classroom (in-class = real estate use; out-of-class = printing, CDs, DVDs, software.) With new energy sources, and potential for energy conversion, on the horizon, it would make sense to quantify our future energy resources in a new system of measurement. Mandatory conversion to the metric system would require implementing and enforcing the mandate. It would also require a large-scale public relations/information campaign. Both of these = government and media work.
Jobs created by metric conversion would reduce unemployment, increase spending by those it employs, and provide increased tax revenues for our treasury as a result. The benefits of metric conversion on our economy, so far as I can tell, would be widespread.
Which brings me to my fourth and final point: political feasibility in present times. The metric system, like the science it is based on, is objective. It does not favor one party over another; it takes no ideological stances. However, it has in the past faced resistance from a populace and politically-influential industries resistant to change. Note that Jimmy Carter was awaiting his second term - after he knew he would no longer face re-election - to go metric. It would still remain a political hot potato, but in different times. If nothing else, the resounding message from our two most recent elections has been a call for change. The metric system should be no different. In debates over recent economic stimulus funds, some state governors (example: Louisiana's Bobby Jindal) have expressed concerns over taking on long-term programs with short-term funding. A program of metric conversion could be implemented on a set schedule, averting this problem. States would not be left holding the bag on a long-term program with metric conversion, because it would occur on a fixed time-line rather than as a continuing program. In our current economic situation, it will be slightly more difficult for our politicians to firmly oppose the metric system as we have in times past. I feel this makes now, more than ever, a prime opportunity for this country to do what it should have done at the beginning of my lifetime.
I know it won't be easy... It would require some sacrifice and effort from everyone. Myself included - I don't know the system by heart any more than my countrymen, but I'm willing to work at it. I might be alone in this, but I'm mildly distressed at the lack of calls for sacrifice during the Bush years. We haven't rationed use of construction/manufacturing materials; we haven't rationed food or been encouraged to plant victory gardens. Yet I think we need to do something, collectively, as a nation, which requires something of us all for the benefit of us all.
I know the metric system is not the solution to everything that ails us as a nation. I just feel that it is an overlooked, but important piece of the puzzle. Going metric would be a small sacrifice compared to the benefits it would produce.
I'm for it for the sole purpose of penile measurement. Instead of 6 inches, it becomes 15 centimeters.
In all seriousness, I don't know why we're not on the metric system. I feel like people view the current system as "The American Way" and any changing that makes you some type of commie.
I'm for it for the sole purpose of penile measurement. Instead of 6 inches, it becomes 15 centimeters.
In all seriousness, I don't know why we're not on the metric system. I feel like people view the current system as "The American Way" and any changing that makes you some type of commie.
I also like weighing about 100kg instead of about 220lbs.
The current system isn't actually "the American Way." Congress explicitly said they prefer the metric system of measurement... they just made the conversion voluntary. Though to be fair, they're technically correct saying that all communist nations use the metric system.
Post by strumntheguitar on Mar 12, 2009 11:38:23 GMT -5
The metric system is so much easier to understand and convert from unit to unit. It's funny how throughout all of my schooling thus far I've been told "metric system is better" but then they only enforce the current system of measurement.
I don't know that the switch would be a glorious for the economy as you may have said, kdogg, but you sure do know how to persuade and back it with reason and logic, so for that I'm going to give you karma atleast.
The worst part would be the automobile industry though. They're already hurting... and then they'd have to go and redesign every speedometer, since the speed limit signs will thus be changed and nobody is going to think "ok, so the speed limit is 80 kilom/hr... so that's... 50 mph. The automobile industry is the last place that wants to create more jobs I think. But then again, I'm not savvy on politics or economics, so when I say "I think" there's really no basis behind it
The metric system is so much easier to understand and convert from unit to unit. It's funny how throughout all of my schooling thus far I've been told "metric system is better" but then they only enforce the current system of measurement.
I don't know that the switch would be a glorious for the economy as you may have said, kdogg, but you sure do know how to persuade and back it with reason and logic, so for that I'm going to give you karma atleast.
The worst part would be the automobile industry though. They're already hurting... and then they'd have to go and redesign every speedometer, since the speed limit signs will thus be changed and nobody is going to think "ok, so the speed limit is 80 kilom/hr... so that's... 50 mph. The automobile industry is the last place that wants to create more jobs I think. But then again, I'm not savvy on politics or economics, so when I say "I think" there's really no basis behind it
I would assume a conversion would come in phases. It won't be total prohibition on the current system, just gradually phasing it out. Obviously, there would be a time in that conversion where the metric system would come to dominate the current system.
I don't think the auto industry would have too much to complain about in a conversion. Don't most speedometers have both systems on them already? I've owned my share of cars with both measurements, and nearly if not all of my cars have been made in America. (I'm not sure about that crappy $500 Renault I had at 16.) So we already have American-made vehicles that can measure in metric. Both systems already coexist. I think conversion compliance in that situation would simply be a matter of reversing things. We would just have to make the metric measurement more prominent on the speedometer than the current system, as opposed to the current system's prominence in their current coexistence.
I'm not saying a government-mandated conversion program would have to rival the size/scale of the WPA or any of those New Deal programs. I know it wouldn't create every job we need, and definitely no positions long enough to sustain a worker through an entire career. It would, however, serve the purpose of increasing the number of labor hours demanded in the nation. A fixed conversion timeframe would necessitate that a lot of the work involved be on a temporary basis. It wouldn't be the foundation of a permanent industry, but it would create some jobs. Where it doesn't flat-out create jobs, it would create temporary employment opportunities and more work hours for those already (and possibly under-) employed. In times like these, factors like that are not unimportant in and of themselves. Even after a complete conversion, any skills workers in which converters are trained would still be available in the labor pool.
So let me ask you a counter-question about our measurement system in relation to our automobile industry: Do you think current U.S. measurement policy has made it more or less conducive to U.S. automakers selling cars internationally? If it does make a difference, it's because the current system has been a hindrance on our international trade. If it doesn't make a difference, I assume it would be because U.S. automakers probably already do/did this for the export market. I can guarantee you our brothers-in-measurement over in Liberia aren't buying too many cars, period.
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
Temperature is much easier to figure out too. 0 is freezing, 100 is boiling. I couldn't even tell you off the top of my head what the boiling point of water is in Fahrenheit.
Temperature is much easier to figure out too. 0 is freezing, 100 is boiling. I couldn't even tell you off the top of my head what the boiling point of water is in Fahrenheit.
212? Just a guess. I honestly don't know without looking it up. Water boils when it bubbles, as far as I'm concerned. Don't need metric or imperial units to tell me that.
Temperature is much easier to figure out too. 0 is freezing, 100 is boiling. I couldn't even tell you off the top of my head what the boiling point of water is in Fahrenheit.
212? Just a guess. I honestly don't know without looking it up. Water boils when it bubbles, as far as I'm concerned. Don't need metric or imperial units to tell me that.
This will never completely happen. It's used in science and math and taught in schools, but the NFL field is 100 yards, the NBA basket is 10 feet high, and it's 90 ft between bases in baseball. Those will never change.
If smaller then that is why we don't use the metric system here.
We have to save a guy his ego.
it would end up being bigger because you would measure in centimeters instead of inches so you would be boosting every ego which who knows is either good or bad cause you go from 7 inches to almost 18 centimeters that would cause ego's to jump of the richter scale.
Post by wonderllama on Mar 18, 2009 20:10:02 GMT -5
As an engineer I'm 100% for this. It would make my life so much easier. The biggest argument I've heard is that it would be too big a pain in the ass to convert all our signs, standards, and anything else that is already made that displays or outputs our current measurements. But now with a bunch of people, especially in the manufacturing sector, needing jobs it would be a great time.
The only thing is it will involve a change in the way most Americans fundamentally think about things (and most Americans don't take too kindly to that). I mean, I can picture a person who is 6'3" tall, but really have no concept of someone who is 137cm tall. I know roughly how heavy 10 pounds is, I know how long a mile is, etc. Because of this, I really think we will have legalized marijuana before we convert to metric.
