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[Linkyn]

Maybe we should just rename the metric system to the freedom system. Problem solved.

 

[2+2=5]

I don't remember the games but i'm sure that at least a pair of games gave me the metric/imperial option or something similar, i think one of the games involved driving(GTA4 maybe?)

 

[Tajaz2426]

Strawman.

Duckroll is talking about standardisation of Scientific measurements.

Everyone the world over uses the metric system even in America if you are a Scientist.

Scientific communities from different countries are able to communicate to each other using standardised measurements especially when it's important for running experiments to disprove something.

Like I stated, changing a communication style that has been taught for generations isn’t as easy as, just change to everyone else. I’m not talking about scientist, im taking about every person in a said country that learns that technique.

Duckroll stating that it is selfish and easier to communicate one way may be true. However, like I said, it is also easier to communicate in one language, that 1 of every 6 people speak. So logically if we want easier communication we should all change our language to the most spoken, as it is easier to do so.

I stated reasons why you cannot just change, because it is easier for others. It can change the dynamics of a country.

Now, instead of spewing some rudimentary argument, like “strawman”, please cite how my example of everyone changing to one basic language is any different than changing measurements.


Edit: Duckroll, I just read your counter argument and that is sound logic and I can agree with that. However, changing the dynamics is easier said than done. I also don’t agree with your assumption that it is selfish and prideful. Thanks for taking the time to actually counter what I said, I appreciate.

I would like to counter with some arguments, but I don’t think they would fit it with this board, being about biology. Thanks again for the reply.

 

[ggx2ac]

Like I stated, changing a communication style that has been taught for generations isn’t as easy as, just change to everyone else. I’m not talking about scientist, im taking about every person in a said country that learns that technique.

Duckroll stating that it is selfish and easier to communicate one way may be true. However, like I said, it is also easier to communicate in one language, that 1 of every 6 people speak. So logically if we want easier communication we should all change our language to the most spoken, as it is easier to do so.

I stated reasons why you cannot just change, because it is easier for others. It can change the dynamics of a country.

Now, instead of spewing some rudimentary argument, like “strawman”, please cite how my example of everyone changing to one basic language is any different than changing measurements.

Like I said, you are using a strawman, you couldn't refute Duckroll's argument so you set up one that is completely irrelevant to the topic.

It doesn't matter though because he knocked down your strawman anyway.

 

[Haunted]

On the other hand, if the US changed to metric we wouldn't have wonderful put-down threads like these where the few holdouts of imperial are routinely embarrassed/educated to the delight of others.

It's most likely just a matter of time before even the last redneck* will measure the height and weight of their tenth kid in centimetres and kilograms, so let's enjoy this while it lasts.



*

Spoiler

yeah, there will always be some holdouts refusing scientific advance, also see: creationism, flat earth believers etc

 

[Tajaz2426]

Like I said, you are using a strawman, you couldn't refute Duckroll's argument so you set up one that is completely irrelevant to the topic.

It doesn't matter though because he knocked down your strawman anyway.

No, I most certainly made an argument as to what he was saying as basic language is a communication style, in the same regards as mathematics. Next time give your counter argument, not some one else’s.

I don’t mind being proven wrong, as stated above, even though I don’t agree on all fronts.

 

[Paz]

Developers should just abandon imperial and do the right thing by teaching Americans about how the world really works

 

[Keratay]

Wow, didnt realize there was a numeric temperature indicator in BotW until this thread.

Fahrenheit is probably the only imperial unit I prefer since the 0-100 range covers typical weather conditions fairly well, while Celsius is putzing around in the -0-40's. That being said, I totally agree and considering that there *are* setups for the game that do use metric, it sucks that there isn't an option.

Do these games usually have an option for American vs British(?) English? Armor vs Armour and all that. I'd think that they would be included in the same option as measurement system.

 

[Protome]

I don't remember the games but i'm sure that at least a pair of games gave me the metric/imperial option or something similar, i think one of the games involved driving(GTA4 maybe?)

GTA is developed in the UK, so that would make sense.

 

[EDarkness]

Year/Month/Day

It really sounds stupid to have a time system that everyone agrees to count "Hours:Minutes", but when it comes to days, months and years; it becomes such a mess.

Day: 04
Month: 08
Year: 2017

My country: 04/08/2017
US: 08/04/2017
My approach: 2017/08/04

Both doesn't make sense with the time system, but my country approach sounds more logical on it's own.
I know that both are formatted by the way people say it, but it should be displayed in a more logical/universal way so that everyone understands.

I always found EU dates strange because they then try to say it that way. So 24th July 2017, which sounds strange as hell. Correctly it should be "the 24th of July, 2017". I always felt like July 24th, 2017 just flowed better when spoken.

 

[Drackhorn]

I'm with this.

 

[PetrCobra]

This pissed me off so much in Wii Fit

 

[MilkBeard]

If it is already coded into the game, I don't see why they don't allow a toggle. Or at least localize the terms to what is commonly used in the country or continent it is localized to. Weird oversight.

At the same time, as an American it wouldn't bother me if it were in feet miles/meters kilometers, I have a general understanding of both.

 

[horkrux]

Give them a centimeter and they'll take a mile

 

[Amneisac]

So, "retard" "redneck" American here. I'm all for people having a choice in what units they use in their game. I don't see why anyone would be against that. I also don't see why you have to get mad at 330,000,000 people because a developer made the mistake of leaving it out.

I would have no problem with switching to the metric system and I don't know of many people who would, but it's not like we have much of a choice on it. It's happening slowly. I can't just ring up my congressman and ask him to go ahead and flip the switch and convert everything over officially.

 

[dofry]

I reject reality and substitute my own

 

[ecosse_011172]

Even better: use the metric system forever because the imperial system is hot garbage and should be abandoned in every way as soon as is possible. Video games can lead the charge!

Indeed, it's ridiculous.
It weighs 40 rocks and 5 pebbles.

 

[Imperfected]

This pissed me off so much in Wii Fit

Okay, yeah. That's actually a case where this is bordering on inexcusable, rather than borderline irrelevant.

 

[mrklaw]

Can I go one further and ask for a separate setting for long and short distances?

As a relatively old Brit, I'm used to miles and mph for driving, but grew up learning cm/m at school for short distances.

I don't want km/kmh but I don't want inches either.

 

[DarknessTear]

Some of these games should just have their own system of measurement like FFXIV has yalms and Trails series has arge and selge.

 

[ggx2ac]

No, I most certainly made an argument as to what he was saying as basic language is a communication style, in the same regards as mathematics. Next time give your counter argument, not some one else’s.

I don’t mind being proven wrong, as stated above, even though I don’t agree on all fronts.

Yeah, you were setting up a strawman, look at what Duckroll said:

Here's why imperial is garbage: Measurement units should be standardized because it makes it easier to understand what you are measuring, especially when sharing or communicating information. Standardization is literally the point of having units in the first place. Saying "just because everyone else does it one way doesn't mean my way is wrong" is a stubborn, selfish, and nonsensical mentality to have when approaching this. There's no reason to stick to something when the rest of the world has decided on a standard other than stubborn pride. It doesn't have any advantage.

And then look at what you twisted the argument into:

So what your stating is that, because the majority of the world at over 1.2 billion speaks Mandarin, the rest of the world should standardize and speak that language? That way when sharing and communicating information, it will be easier? When countries have a set method, especially over a certain amount of generations, it isn’t as easy, as just changing the system to everyone else.

Countries run on their communication, whether it be language, or mathematics. Changing that communication style just by one generation, can be a severe disadvantage. That means communication becomes a barrier and that doesn’t help anyone.

Stating that it is stubborn pride is being disengenious, as I am sure you are aware of what I just stated. Just because it doesn’t fit into what you thing is normal, doesn’t mean it is abnormal to the people that use said commutation styles.

That's why I said that Duckroll was talking about scientific measurements, he never said language and, it is possible to communicate using scientific measurements and mathematics, otherwise we'd all be converting what American Scientists tell us but nope, they use the metric standard.

 

[InPlosion]

Since the US stubbornly still uses Imperial, the system should be renamed Rebel System.

 

[Hypron]

I always found EU dates strange because they then try to say it that way. So 24th July 2017, which sounds strange as hell. Correctly it should be "the 24th of July, 2017". I always felt like July 24th, 2017 just flowed better when spoken.

Most Europeans don't speak English so it doesn't come into the equation really.

 

[duckroll]

Edit: Duckroll, I just read your counter argument and that is sound logic and I can agree with that. However, changing the dynamics is easier said than done. I also don’t agree with your assumption that it is selfish and prideful. Thanks for taking the time to actually counter what I said, I appreciate.

I would like to counter with some arguments, but I don’t think they would fit it with this board, being about biology. Thanks again for the reply.

Of course changing standards are hard. That's part of where pride comes in though. I'm not suggesting people who individually use the imperial system are selfish or anything, but it is more of a collective thing. Tradition sticks, and no one likes to admit that they have to change anything because their standard failed to be accepted anywhere else in the long run. The reason America can keep this going despite the rest of the world is because America is a huge country with a lot of sway. If the only country using the imperial standard were a much smaller country, they would have been pressured to adapt ages ago. That's basically how I see it.

 

[Doc_Drop]

I would like to counter with some arguments, but I don’t think they would fit it with this board, being about biology.

??

Not sure I follow

 

[stargateheaven]

Ｗhen is American gonna stop using Fahrenheit anyway lol

what is 86 degrees? hot? cold? who knows.

 

[Dehnus]

Basically, yeah. We're in MERICA! To quote a line from Fury, "You wanna talk Mexican, join a Mexican tank."

I understand what you're saying and I'm fine with that. My concern is that some developer will eventually just leave out the US option and that would catch on. Maybe it'll be patched in later, maybe it won't. I wouldn't want that. Just let me keep mine. You know what you can do with yours.

And this is why the USA slowly is failing. Everybody else is engineering with superior measurements, where even the temperatures have a 1 to 1 relation to scientific measurements like Kelvin. Where volume, mass, length, heat, etc, all are related to each other in a logical way of measuring, with round numbers.

But nope they'll stick with : 3/16 of a thumb at fourteen pickles weighing in at 1 baby and 20 starving puppies. Also my car has a power output of 15 Bob Doles! WHAT!? I know how much 1 Bob Dole is, fuck the rest of the world for thinking in Kilowatt, this non linear scale of 1 Bob Dole is 1/2 * 14 keychains / 2 to the power 4 watt is just perfectly logical!

(And yes I can do most normal Imperial Conversions by head, doesn't mean I don't find the system utterly retard from an engineering standpoint).

 

[SomedayTheFire]

A toggle would be nice. Let the Americans use their system and the rest use theirs. I could have sworn BOTW had metric though. FFXV fucked me up.

 

[Unaha-Closp]

I agree wholeheartedly. Leave the Americans to their silly Imperial and let the rest of the World get on with it in a sensible logical manner. That said here in the UK we seem to have both. Have it as a separate discrete option in the menu at least and let the people decide.

 

[Markitron]

And this is why the USA slowly is failing. Everybody else is engineering with superior measurements, where even the temperatures have a 1 to 1 relation to scientific measurements like Kelvin. Where volume, mass, length, heat, etc, all are related to each other in a logical way of measuring, with round numbers.

I'd be fairly certain that most engineers and scientists in the US use the Metric system. It would be borderline impossible not to. It's everyone else that's the issue.

 

[Imperfected]

I'd be fairly certain that most engineers and scientists in the US use the Metric system. It would be borderline impossible not to. It's everyone else that's the issue.

I can only speak for myself, but my physics classes in college were certainly all in metric, aside from the introductory course teaching general unit conversions.

 

[Kuosi]

Here I am standing 1.4 midgets tall

 

[Amneisac]

Of course changing standards are hard. That's part of where pride comes in though. I'm not suggesting people who individually use the imperial system are selfish or anything, but it is more of a collective thing. Tradition sticks, and no one likes to admit that they have to change anything because their standard failed to be accepted anywhere else in the long run. The reason America can keep this going despite the rest of the world is because America is a huge country with a lot of sway. If the only country using the imperial standard were a much smaller country, they would have been pressured to adapt ages ago. That's basically how I see it.

It's not just "sway" it's a huge infrastructure that would be incredibly expensive to convert. Follow the money.

Again, most Americans would be fine with switching. I live in the mid-Atlantic in a state that was the capital of the confederacy and I don't know anyone who wouldn't be okay with switching, but it's going to be incredibly expensive. It's happening but it's happening slowly.

In the meantime the rest of the world will just have to enjoy this as an opportunity to take shots at America and call us prideful rednecks.

I'm scientific instances America uses the metric system and for everyday life they don't.

 

[Dunan]

I'm American but am a big metric supporter. If Google Maps tells me something is "0.3 miles" away I can't figure that out and have to multiply by 1600 to get 480 meters, which makes sense, and can be visualized as just over one lap around a running track.

When did the British switch over to the D-M-Y date system? Back in the 1700s they were definitely still using D-M-Y; look at any American colonial newspaper. Y-M-D Asian-style is even easier to understand.

FFXV and its feet and miles when playing in English really threw me -- would have preferred meters -- but at the time I ascribed it to Noctis being in the royal family and preferring traditional units.

I really liked how Deus Ex: Human Revolution was using meters in augmented people's HUDs but still had Fahrenheit degrees on one of the public temperature displays (it was 57°); we can see the modern era coming in!

Some of these games should just have their own system of measurement like FFXIV has yalms

Pay close attention to the measurements in FFXIV; you will discover a possibly-unpleasant surprise.

 

[Fix-It Felix. Jr.]

I honestly didn't even realize Breath of the Wild uses any type of measurements for distance or temperature. All I know is that cold is blue and hot is red on the thermometre.

That's beside the point, though. I totally agree that there should be an option to choose which system of measurement you would prefer to use.

 

[Charles Brandon]

When did the British switch over to the D-M-Y date system? Back in the 1700s they were definitely still using D-M-Y; look at any American colonial newspaper.

Is this a typo? I'm interested in this but did you mean "When did the Americans..." or maybe "back in 1700s they were definitely still using M-D-Y..."?

 

[Wolf Akela]

In my ideal world:
- everyone uses metrics
- everyone uses epoch, displayed in YYYY/MM/DD format
- no fucking daylight savings

But to be honest, I still use a bit of imperial for daily life, even if I don't ever want to go near imperial when doing computations. I have a much better feel for measuring height in inches than meters for example. However, this is just because I grew up using that kind of measurement. There's really no reason to keep teaching kids using imperial units these days. Just let it die.

 

[RoadHazard]

I'm in Australia and I'm like 99% certain my BotW units are metric.

Yeah, pretty sure this is true in EU as well. I think? Don't actually remember now.

 

[Rellik]

I agree wholeheartedly. Leave the Americans to their silly Imperial and let the rest of the World get on with it in a sensible logical manner. That said here in the UK we seem to have both. Have it as a separate discrete option in the menu at least and let the people decide.

I can't remember the game now, but I remember one game allowing me to choose between Imperial/Metric/British.

I would rather games be like Football Manager where I can choose each unit separately because I don't use kg or stone despite being British. Growing up on American pro wrestling and boxing has ingrained pounds into my mind. But then I don't want to be forced to use Fahrenheit to get pounds.

 

[N.Grim]

In my ideal world:
- everyone uses metrics
- everyone uses epoch, displayed in YYYY/MM/DD format
- no fucking daylight savings

You're crazy

 

[RoadHazard]

I'd be fairly certain that most engineers and scientists in the US use the Metric system. It would be borderline impossible not to. It's everyone else that's the issue.

Except for that time they didn't and it caused a rover (I think?) to crash.

 

[Imperfected]

You're crazy

Epoch is actually quite reasonable in the context of all other forms of measurement. You start measuring something from the largest increments and work your way down. You don't tell people you're "two inches, six feet" tall or "five grams and sixty-five kilograms" in weight, for example.

 

[EvB]

are we still using salt as a currency?

Yes, it’s why NeoGAF is the internet’s wealthiest gaming forum

 

[Wolf Akela]

You're crazy

I have spent too much time deciphering financial and medical data from ancient systems and converting them into modern standards. Like, I could see "04/05/06 08:00:00". Well? What date/year/month is it? Is that 8am or 8pm? What timezone? Do they have DST?

It's also annoying when you're traveling because you can't tell if the expiry date printed on an imported item is MM/DD or DD/MM. I've already encountered both scenarios.

 

[Darkangel]

I hate how you can't mix the units in Forza.

If I want km/h on my speedometer, then I also have to use kW instead of HP, which no one in Canada uses.

 

[Keasar]

Seconded.

Imperial/Metric should always be a separate setting.

Imperial should not exist at all anymore. It shouldn't be an option. It shouldn't be encouraged ever for anyone to ever think of it. It should be dead, buried with the fishes and gone forever.

It is an awful system and makes watching American cooking channels on Youtube unbearable.

 

[horkrux]

Ｗhen is American gonna stop using Fahrenheit anyway lol

what is 86 degrees? hot? cold? who knows.

Proponents of this system say that it makes more sense since it's based on people instead of water like Celsius.
So 0 is 'fucking cold' and 100 is 'fucking hot.'

My answer to this side of the debate is simple:

Spoiler

 

[Simon-chan]

Blame the Stonecutters.

 

[FStubbs]

Blue sucks!! XD



Just in case somebody gets mad, I'm European and fan of the metric and celsius systems.

Hah.

I'm pretty sure that country that put a man on the moon used metric to do so.

 

[hydrophilic attack]

In my ideal world:
- everyone uses metrics
- everyone displays dates in YYYY-MM-DD format
- Daylight savings is in effect year round

fixed