Do you think that America would benefit from converting to Metric?
@angusthethird (515)
United States
February 27, 2009 2:22pm CST
After all, everyone but the U.S and Guam use the Metric System. I don't believe Puerto Rico does yet. What are the pros and cons?
I do realise there was this huge drive back in the '70s to get us going Metric by 1980. It never happened. After that, there was a push in 1988 for Congress to change us to meters and centimeters, grams, Kilograms and Centigrade values by 1992.
Again, turned out to be a joke.
On a practical level--what differences will you see, for example, in the price of gas, if it's sold by the liter rather than the gallon?
On a personal level, I must admit I'd miss the Standard English system when it comes to temperature. It will be tough getting used to hearing 32 degrees as the reported temperature in the middle of July! Even the very thought of that would send shivers to me!
It's about that now where I live.
But I hope I can get some thoughtful dialogue going on on an issue that is not an issue right now, but might become one again in the future. Who knows?!!!
3 responses
@melissapalardy (213)
• United States
27 Feb 09
i think that it would be easier for everyone to use the metric system. but a lot of people don't know the metric system. so it would take some getting use to. but different countries use different money and it works out. so i don't think it matters much
@melissapalardy (213)
• United States
3 Mar 09
thank you for marking me as the best response. i have never had that happen before. thank you so much
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
27 Feb 09
We can get used to the changes. Whatever system we use should be the same throughout the world. We're becoming more of a global community all the time, and differences in weights and measures are barriers, in a small way. Wasn't that behind the development of the Euro?
@okkidokitokki (1736)
• United States
27 Feb 09
I have nothing against the metric system, it is taught in America's public scools, and so I will be teaching it.
I think that the reason America has not switched to it is because everyone else uses it. silly but possible true.
It would take some getting used to and that is why I think that they will not do it. Every fuel pump would have to be recalibrated, and that would make the oil people unhappy, not to mention that all of the street signs that have distance or speed limit would have to be changed. The cost of that alone makes it not worth it. But at the same time we but bottled soda by the liter so maby it could sneak its way in. :)
