Why Do Americans Use Feet?

24

Comments

  • LazysamLazysam Join Date: 2002-01-26 Member: 101Members
    my answer: we have the stealth bomber, so everybody else can go **** themselves <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • HawkeyeHawkeye Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1855Members
    The reason is really quite simple.

    You're used to metric right? It makes sense to you right? Why would you switch? It is so easy to use.
    Okay, so what if someone told you to switch your methods to something completely foreign from metric system. Don't want to, you say? Yes, that's why Americans keep the English system.

    It is a bit like asking someone to use an entirely different language. Why should they learn a new language when they are comfortable with the one they speak? It isn't to inconvenience europeans, as tempting as it is to believe that. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • zoobyzooby Join Date: 2003-08-26 Member: 20236Members
    Omg metric owns me, if the essence of metric were imparted to a girl, I'd marry her.

    I say everything in metric, even though i live in the US. People look at me strange sometimes, which I remedy by speaking in German or Chinese or something, and then speaking in very badly accented English.
  • P-KhanP-Khan Join Date: 2003-05-27 Member: 16776Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Hawkeye+Sep 21 2003, 07:39 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Hawkeye @ Sep 21 2003, 07:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The reason is really quite simple.

    You're used to metric right? It makes sense to you right? Why would you switch? It is so easy to use.
    Okay, so what if someone told you to switch your methods to something completely foreign from metric system. Don't want to, you say? Yes, that's why Americans keep the English system.

    It is a bit like asking someone to use an entirely different language. Why should they learn a new language when they are comfortable with the one they speak? It isn't to inconvenience europeans, as tempting as it is to believe that. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It isn't only that I'm used to meters, and these other measurements. Is just that, for everything people use the measuemrents from the SI. In science, people normaly use meters, and kilograms, and so on.
    I prefer some unusual things also, such as radians (I think the SI determined degrees for angles, not sure though).
  • pardzhpardzh Join Date: 2002-10-25 Member: 1601Members
    I dunno about the rest of you guys, but I already use the Metric system a lot.

    In all my science labs the measurements are in centimeters, mililiters, grams, yada, yada, and so on. Probably because all premade science labs come in such measurements, but I'm getting used to the system slowly. Probably most schools are doing this, actually.
  • deaincaelodeaincaelo Join Date: 2003-09-11 Member: 20739Members
    first off, english and empirial are both the same system, apperantly. I've always used english, as have everyone i know in New England.
    as for why english is better, other then familierarity?
    because its fraction friendly, as opposed to base 10 and conversion friendly.
    now, this isnt much of an advantage perhaps
    in physics and chemistry, definitely not.
    but can you say in every situation its not an advantage?
    I know people have used cooking as an example of why metric is better then english.
    but if your taking a fraction of a recipy in english, it always comes out even, or in a convieniant ratio, assuming you do the conversions right.

    in conclusion: metric, base 10; english, ratio based

    let the flamage begin
  • V_MANV_MAN V-MAN Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6217Members, Constellation
    Gah the UK is going through the slow process as we speak of switching over to the much more efficient metric system but it's difficult because on the one hand you have a old people who REFUSE point blank to accept anything different because their old and killed teh Jermans in da war etc so we owe them everything and on the other hand you have people that were brought up with both the metric system and the imperial system and can see how stupid and retarded the imperial system is when it comes to measuring things. Like what someone said earlier using "cups" is daft just as using "stones" to measure weight is bent to say the least. People in the US don't use stones tho <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> even more confusing there's 14 UK pounds in a stone I think so what's the difference between a UK and a US stone?
  • V_MANV_MAN V-MAN Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6217Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--Lazysam+Sep 22 2003, 12:20 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Lazysam @ Sep 22 2003, 12:20 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> my answer: we have the stealth bomber, so everybody else can go **** themselves <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    One word for you chump

    OBSOLETE <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • GeminosityGeminosity :3 Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20667Members
    yeah, 'english' and imperial are the same system... but that's because imperial is the real name.
    'English' is the term that somehow slipped into minor use because some people decided to call it after where they thought it came from while everyone else pretty much ignored them. Just about everyone I know or have ever met would think I'd been smoking something if I referred to it as 'english' <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

    English is a language, Imperial is a measuring system. =P
  • HawkeyeHawkeye Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1855Members
    The english system is quite easy to use for someone who has always used it. Granted, it wouldn't be so easy for a guy who knew metric all his life. There is a very real parallelism between english and metric systems. The only differences are that A) metric is more popular, and B) conversions are easier. That's really about it. Anything else, if you have a question about, just reverse the situation on your own system, and you'll have your answer (e.g. Why do you prefer english system? Why do I prefer metric system? Is it hard to think about long distances using english system? Is it hard to think about long distances using metric system? etc.).
  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    I don't measure much at all, so switching isn't all that necessary. However, it definitely gets frustrating trying to remember how many quarts and cups and ounces and what not are in each other thing whenever I want to measure stuff. So I would switch if I needed to, but I don't, because I never measure.
  • BlackMageBlackMage [citation needed] Join Date: 2003-06-18 Member: 17474Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--deaincaelo+Sep 21 2003, 08:56 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (deaincaelo @ Sep 21 2003, 08:56 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> first off, english and empirial are both the same system, apperantly. I've always used english, as have everyone i know in New England.
    as for why english is better, other then familierarity?
    because its fraction friendly, as opposed to base 10 and conversion friendly.
    now, this isnt much of an advantage perhaps
    in physics and chemistry, definitely not.
    but can you say in every situation its not an advantage?
    I know people have used cooking as an example of why metric is better then english.
    but if your taking a fraction of a recipy in english, it always comes out even, or in a convieniant ratio, assuming you do the conversions right.

    in conclusion: metric, base 10; english, ratio based

    let the flamage begin <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    ummm metric is in ratios of ten there buddy
  • JHunzJHunz Join Date: 2002-11-15 Member: 8815Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--zooby+Sep 21 2003, 07:41 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (zooby @ Sep 21 2003, 07:41 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Omg metric owns me, if the essence of metric were imparted to a girl, I'd marry her.

    I say everything in metric, even though i live in the US. People look at me strange sometimes, which I remedy by speaking in German or Chinese or something, and then speaking in very badly accented English. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    You are very much like several of the Teaching Assisstants for my classes...
  • Cartman2beCartman2be Join Date: 2003-09-21 Member: 21103Members
    Metres <!--emo&::fade::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/fade.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='fade.gif'><!--endemo--> Feet <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • Soylent_greenSoylent_green Join Date: 2002-12-20 Member: 11220Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    p|-|33|2 t3|-| |\/|37|21€ 5Y573|\/|, j00 \/\/1ll B3 t£h a551/\/\1l473d!!!!!!1111
  • wRavenwRaven Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6482Members
    I get 30 miles per gallon of gas, but I get 48 kilometers per gallon.

    I take all my trips in kiolometers to save gas. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • BurncycleBurncycle Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9759Members, NS1 Playtester
    edited September 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I get 30 miles per gallon of gas, but I get 48 kilometers per gallon.

                                I take all my trips in kiolometers to save gas.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    lmfao <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • xectxect Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9807Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Hawkeye+Sep 22 2003, 01:39 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Hawkeye @ Sep 22 2003, 01:39 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The reason is really quite simple.

    You're used to metric right? It makes sense to you right? Why would you switch? It is so easy to use. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Not only that, but, unlike the imperial, it makes sense.

    I mean, you have some basic units. Multiply by 1000 for each higher prefix (k, M, G, T, P). Divide by a thousand for each lower (m, u, n, p)

    How many inches for a yard? how many yards for a mile? No idea, but I'm pretty sure it's not in 10's.

    And what exactly is the point of the Fahrenheit system?
  • MajinMajin Join Date: 2003-05-29 Member: 16829Members, Constellation
    I lorve the Magnet system, its like a lork on the clorf, the lork is using the magnet system and the clorf is like not. The emperor system is lameage!

    <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • HawkeyeHawkeye Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1855Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--xect+Sep 22 2003, 02:50 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (xect @ Sep 22 2003, 02:50 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Hawkeye+Sep 22 2003, 01:39 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Hawkeye @ Sep 22 2003, 01:39 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The reason is really quite simple.

    You're used to metric right?  It makes sense to you right?  Why would you switch?  It is so easy to use. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Not only that, but, unlike the imperial, it makes sense.

    I mean, you have some basic units. Multiply by 1000 for each higher prefix (k, M, G, T, P). Divide by a thousand for each lower (m, u, n, p)

    How many inches for a yard? how many yards for a mile? No idea, but I'm pretty sure it's not in 10's.

    And what exactly is the point of the Fahrenheit system? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Well yes, it makes more sense, I agree.

    It isn't like people who use the imperial system don't know how to convert though. For us, it is just as easy as say multiplying times 1000 for a higher prefix. The numbers aren't powers of 10, but it does the same thing.

    As for the Fahrenheit system, well Celsius is about as messed up as Fahrenheit. There are no kilocelsius or millicelsius. Same with Fahrenheit. There is no motivation to use one or the other. You could say that it makes more sense to use Celsius, but I could say the same of Fahrenheit. The two scientists disagreed on their methods for what 0 would represent and what 100 would represent.

    Neither one was right or wrong, persay. While I wish everyone would use the same standard, a less important wish of mine would be that we'd all use Fahrenheit because the degrees represent a smaller change in temperature. This is better for measurements.
  • GeminosityGeminosity :3 Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20667Members
    when it comes to temperatures you could always just use kelvin... only problems with that are that 0 = so cold molecules stop moving (which they're still trying to reach =s) so you're always gonna be using higher numbers. It's basically Centigrade but they moved the scale so zero really WAS at the bottom with no minuses being theoritical possible =D
  • SkulkBaitSkulkBait Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13423Members
    edited September 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->It isn't like people who use the imperial system don't know how to convert though. For us, it is just as easy as say multiplying times 1000 for a higher prefix. The numbers aren't powers of 10, but it does the same thing.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I don't know about you, but to me 5280 * 12 (inches in a mile) is a much tougher calc to do in your head then 1000 * 100 (centemeters in a kilometer). The worst part about the imperial system is that there is no consistant base.
  • OlmyOlmy Join Date: 2003-05-08 Member: 16142Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, NS2 Developer, NS2 Map Tester, Reinforced - Diamond
    <!--QuoteBegin--Z.X. Bogglesteinsky+Sep 21 2003, 03:16 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Z.X. Bogglesteinsky @ Sep 21 2003, 03:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> i believe the name is Impirical system.

    its nice.

    keep it.

    screw you EU <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Impirical system is the most archaic thing in the world. You and probably like only 5 other countries probably still use that system. Why is it nice? Because you don't understand metric? does it make you feel stupid not being able to comprehend it? maybe the EU is just smarter, oh yeah not including every other country in the world that has switched. Btw i live in britain and we are in the process of changing (education has used metric for some time. i'm not sure about US schools tho) can anyone clear that one up?
  • MajinMajin Join Date: 2003-05-29 Member: 16829Members, Constellation
    KM > Mile
    CM > Inch
    KG > LBS
    ML > whatever it is
  • TenSixTenSix Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7932Members
    <simpsons quote>
    I get 40 rods to the hogshead and thats the way I like it!
    </simpsons quote>
  • OlmyOlmy Join Date: 2003-05-08 Member: 16142Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, NS2 Developer, NS2 Map Tester, Reinforced - Diamond
    hehehe good stuff i, i remember that. i think that illustrates the point perfectly.
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    This has already been discussed to death (by much more rational thinkers than this thread is supplying).

    Tell you what, Edgecrusher. If the EU consolidates all of its archaic and inefficient languages into one, then we will go metric here in the States. Fair trade? Cool.
  • ZigZig ...I am Captain Planet&#33; Join Date: 2002-10-23 Member: 1576Members
    hot damn. can you say pwned?

    anyway... yeah, monse. kids in europe, and many countries in asia, are being taught the english language as a mandatory class n whatnot.

    so... hm. going with the american way, the first step towards metric conversion is:

    every single american man is gonna measure his d*** in centimeters, and buy an appropriately large SUV as compensation. ^_^
  • dr_ddr_d Join Date: 2003-03-28 Member: 14979Members
    "You know what they call a quater-pounder with cheese in France?"

    "They don't call it a quater-pounder with cheese?"

    "Naw man they got the metric system, they don't know what the f**k a quater-pounder is."

    "So what do they call it?"

    "A royale with cheese."

    "Royale with cheese....what do they call a Big Mac?"

    "Well a Big Mac's a Big Mac, they just call it Le Big Mac."


    That's all I have to add on the subject.
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    It would be way cooler if they called it a:

    "0.09331 Kilogrammer with Cheese"

    <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
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