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[DDayton]

I find it hilarious the only defense to keep imperial is because it's "too ingrained". The US is still an infant in age compared to every other country that already switched to metric.

... just out of wild curiosity, how many of those other countries have had a standing governmental system that is as old or older than that of the USA?

I mean, France as a mass of land populated by folks who MOSTLY speak the same language is older, but France as in the current governmental system is younger than the USA.

 

[Lancehead]

I wish GAF had options to change the date format (time format also). A lot of the time I have to spend a couple of moments when I want to read the dates of posts.

As someone who does thermodynamic analyses I'm pretty happy metric system is the standard.

 

[PansenHansen]

when you can build the greatest empire in human history
be first to the moon
be the world's police
invent every relevant item of your modern life

thanks to german scientists...
also:
"My car gets fourty rods to the hogshead and that's the way I likes it"

 

[LeleSocho]

when you can build the greatest empire in human history
be first to the moon
be the world's police
invent every relevant item of your modern life

and basically run the world



then may be we will switch over to your inferior system. our one has done us pretty well up to now

Seriously (if you are serious) what is wrong with you?

 

[twobear]

... just out of wild curiosity, how many of those other countries have had a standing governmental system that is as old or older than that of the USA?

I mean, France as a mass of land populated by folks who MOSTLY speak the same language is older, but France as in the current governmental system younger than the USA.

Well there's the UK. I don't know when the current system started, I assume we've changed it at least once since the end of the civil war in 1651 though.

 

[trineo_feo]

when you can build the greatest empire in human history

hahaahahahah

 

[DDayton]

Well there's the UK. I don't know when the current system started, I assume we've changed it at least once since the end of the civil war in 1651 though.

Well, yes, there is the UK, and there are others -- I'm just curious as to what percentage of the world's nations have older governmental systems than the USA.

Between dictators, revolutions, the USSR, and the like, there has been a fair bit of turnover.

Edit: Random internet searching seems to claim that the older older governments are San Marino, The Netherlands, Switzerland and England... but I thought the Netherlands were taken over during WW2? Vatican City is also fairly old, although it did lose land to Italy in the recent centuries.

 

[Alx]

I don't think the government is the issue. Administration can change rules almost instantly, whatever its age (and actually did, that's why so many US governmental institutions already switched to metric). The "problem" comes from the population, they're the ones not wanting to change their habits, and it'll always be the case whatever the age and size of the country.

 

[Fari]

when you can build the greatest empire in human history
be first to the moon
be the world's police
invent every relevant item of your modern life

and basically run the world



then may be we will switch over to your inferior system. our one has done us pretty well up to now

Picking up from where Korey left off?

 

[iamshadowlark]

Again, why do we need to change?

thanks to german scientists...
also:
"My car gets fourty rods to the hogshead and that's the way I likes it"

So, why didn't germany go to the moon first?

 

[6.8]

lol america

 

[Dilly]

Again, why do we need to change?


So, why didn't germany go to the moon first?

Not sure if this is meant serious.

 

[Alx]

Again, why do we need to change?

Because the point of a measurement system is to be the same for everybody, and today "everybody" means the whole world, not your local area.

So, why didn't germany go to the moon first?

Ever heard of World War II ?

 

[Tunin]

It's hilarious, really. Anyone attending to at least one physics class knows the imperial system is simply useless, specially talking about college physics where the imperial system does not even exist.
And even worse to think that many books, made by US citizens in various subjects, only use the metric system.

The majority knows it's superiority (metric), but the average joe does not.

EDIT: And do you really think you made it to the moon using the imperial system? HAHA, oh boy.

 

[iamshadowlark]

Not sure if this is meant serious.

It is.

Because the point of a measurement system is to be the same for everybody, and today "everybody" means the whole world, not your local area.

Except, its been pointed out numerous times that the metric system is used in the US. The fact that the imperial system is used in most domestic cases is largely inconsequential to most anybody in the world not living in the US of A.

So again, how is the US's internal use of imperial units affecting you, whoever else that is affected so deeply that they had to chime in and whatever country you/they are from ?

Ever heard of World War II ?

Yes, and your point?

 

[Dilly]

It is.

Except, its been pointed out numerous times that the metric system is used in the US. The fact that the imperial system is used in most domestic cases is largely inconsequential to most anybody in the world not living in the US of A.

So again, how is the US's internal use of imperial units affecting you, whoever else that is affected so deeply that they had to chime in and whatever country you/they are from ?


Yes, and your point?

The Apollo project was largely developed and based on knowledge by German scientists who developed the V2 missiles for the Nazi war program during WWII. Scientists that largely emigrated to the US and Soviet Union after the war. His point is that a country that's in ruins isn't going start a space program just for the sake of it. Not to mention that the space race was a by product of the cold war that developed after WWII.

What the fuck are you talking about? How is it hard to understand why Germany didn't reach the moon first?

 

[Knux-Future]

Seems like some of you guys hate freedom.


But no seriously, why do we have to change? It doesn't effect you that much does it? We use the metric for science. So who cares if we don't for the roads? And the whole date thing... Is that really killing you?

We write it like we say it. Who cares?

We have done worse shit to get called out on. This is a non issue

 

[Nesotenso]

I dunno know what the deal with non-Americans in this thread is, people here will both systems depending on the situation.

Why does the use of the imperial system in any context bother someone in Europe or Australia or wherever you are from ?

 

[Enkidu]

Edit: Random internet searching seems to claim that the older older governments are San Marino, The Netherlands, Switzerland and England... but I thought the Netherlands were taken over during WW2? Vatican City is also fairly old, although it did lose land to Italy in the recent centuries.

Actually the Vatican isn't very old at all. Don't confuse it with the old Papal States as they are separate entities.

 

[Alx]

Except, its been pointed out numerous times that the metric system is used in the US.

Which makes it all the more necessary to adopt it completely. Having an eccentric measurement system is not convenient, but having two measurement systems is absurd. Like I said, the whole point is to have a single standard.
But you're mostly right on the following point :

The fact that the imperial system is used in most domestic cases is largely inconsequential to most anybody in the world not living in the US of A.
So again, how is the US's internal use of imperial units affecting you, whoever else that is affected so deeply that they had to chime in and whatever country you/they are from ?

Indeed, and most people don't really care if you decide to keep using this system. It's mostly an opportunity to laugh at silly habits that most countries have, but in the end it doesn't matter much.
It's still slightly annoying in the 21st century, now that everybody around the world is communicating with each other (just like what we're doing right now), and to have from time to time to convert from one system to another when we could all be using the same one (especially since you already know it !).

Yes, and your point?

My point is that the WWII events explain why Germany didn't get the opportunity to develop a space program or a nuclear program :
- before and during the war, the Germans did work on rocket science, and established the basis on the future technology by funding the likes of Werner von Braun. Of course the first application was V2 missiles.
- after the war, basically half of the scientists were "retrieved" by the US, and the other half by USSR, to launch their own projects.

That and the other scientists that fled the Nazi government before the war explain how the USA and USSR developed both rocket and nuclear science, based on German knowledge.

 

[iamshadowlark]

The Apollo project was largely developed and based on knowledge by German scientists who developed the V2 missiles for the Nazi war program during WWII. Scientists that largely emigrated to the US and Soviet Union after the war. His point is that a country that's in ruins isn't going start a space program just for the sake of it. Not to mention that the space race was a by product of the cold war that developed after WWII.

What the fuck are you talking about? How is it hard to understand why Germany didn't reach the moon first?

Im talking about how irrelevant and inane of a construct it is. "But but Germany made the tech" is laughable and immature. Petty.

If you knew anything about science you would know that alot of developments and discoveries comes from the products of other individuals research. You know, the whole scientific method and whatnot. Being able to successfully apply a hypothesis is apart of that also.

Fact is, US was the first to successfully get to the moon. Germany didn't construct the particular machine that got us there. They didn't plan the expedition. They didn't execute the mission. They didn't train the astronauts. They didn't pay the bill. etc...

You can try to downplay all you want but it is what it is. Like I said, petty. Just like this thread.

 

[Alx]

Im talking about how irrelevant and inane of a construct it is. "But but Germany made the tech" is laughable and immature. Petty.

It was just an answer to your strange question about why Germany didn't launch a moon program..

If you knew anything about science you would know that alot of developments and discoveries comes from the products of other individuals research. You know, the whole scientific method and whatnot. Being able to successfully apply a hypothesis is apart of that also.

Yeah, but it's not really just building your own work on the basis of that from others. When you organize a specific operation to retrieve foreign scientists and prevent other countries to get their knowledge, and choose as leader of your space programs a former SS officer, you're just trying to use foreign technology for your own purpose.

 

[strata8]

I dunno know what the deal with non-American in this thread this is, people here will both systems depending on the situation.

Why does the use of the imperial system in any context bother someone in Europe or Australia or wherever you are from ?

It's really annoying when it's used exclusively with no metric conversions on US websites. It might be fine for someone in the US who can understand both units, but it feels like a big middle finger to the rest of the English-speaking world.

I have a rough idea of how long and inch is (~2.5cm) but it's a pain in the ass when Engadget or some other site lists the thickness of something as 0.78" and I have to go through the process of converting it every single time, just because the US is using a different standard than everyone else.

 

[PansenHansen]

quote:
Wernher von Braun invented the three stage multiple rocket Saturn V engine enabling the Apollo moon landings, later launching Skylab. The take off thrust of a Saturn V was 3.4 million kg. The Saturn rockets were retired in favour of the space shuttle. Braun tested the array of precisely directed multiple rocket engines required to ensure the escape velocity of 25,000 k.p.h. from the earth's gravitational pull to perfection. N.A.S.A. had to restrict von Braun in his eagerness to expend valuable rockets in pursuit of perfection. Braun witnessed the successful Apollo space programme and died a U.S. citizen in 1972, fully vindicated in his field of expertise. The remaining German scientists became fully naturalised U.S. citizens by 1970.

Germany did not land on the moon, however, German scientific expertise facilitated the Apollo programme process fully financed by the United States industrial might.

 

[Nesotenso]

It's really annoying when it's used exclusively with no metric conversions on US websites. It might be fine for someone in the US who can understand both units, but it feels like a big middle finger to the rest of the English-speaking world.

I have a rough idea of how long and inch is (~2.5cm) but it's a pain in the ass when Engadget or some other site lists the thickness of something as 0.78" and I have to go through the process of converting it every single time, just because the US is using a different standard than everyone else.

Then that is the rest of the world's problem.

 

[iamshadowlark]

It was just an answer to your strange question about why Germany didn't launch a moon program..

It wasn't a strange question. It had a purpose and it served that purpose.

Yeah, but it's not really just building your own work on the basis of that from others. When you organize a specific operation to retrieve foreign scientists and prevent other countries to get their knowledge, and choose as leader of your space programs a former SS officer, you're just trying to use foreign technology for your own purpose.

Again, petty. America is built off the premise of being a melting pot of cultures. We may have grabbed them from a different locale but they became US citizens. I'm willing to bet most of their successors reside in America.

So yeah, America, first to the moon.

 

[strata8]

Then that is the rest of the world's problem.

So 'fuck everyone else' is the general mindset in the US in regards to international cooperation and standardisation? Gee, for a moment I thought the Europeans were exaggerating.

 

[iamshadowlark]

So NotTarts why don't you just use a European site for your tech? I really don't see the middle finger to whoever.

Its an American site. Meant mostly for coverage to americans.

 

[Kiraly]

I thought this thread wasn't meant to be serious

boy I was wrong

FUCK YEAH AMERICA

 

[Alx]

Nobody denies that the US were first to the moon, it's a fact.
You only have to consider how they managed to do it, and it's not because "USA is great, fuck yeah !", but because they seized an opportunity to benefit from the work of others. Just like their economic dominance was greatly helped by the self-destruction of the previously dominant countries/empires.
Considering all of that happened in a few decades, less than a lifetime, it makes you think about how fragile all current "empires" can be, and how things can change quickly.

 

[Nesotenso]

So 'fuck everyone else' is the general mindset in the US in regards to international cooperation and standardisation? Gee, for a moment I thought the Europeans were exaggerating.

I don't how our use of the imperial system affects international cooperation or standardisation. We are not obligated to use or do whatever makes the rest of the world comfortable regarding units of all things. SI units are used where we need it and in daily use the imperial system is used.
Spending 2 mins converting something if you are visiting an American site doesn't end your world.

of all the fucking things to feel mocked or offended over

 

[iamshadowlark]

And I would argue that it is because "America is great, fuck yeah!!" . It was a mutal exchange for Braun.

We took him and his family from a war battered Germany, gave them citizenship, and gave him high-ranking good paying jobs in our military and other agencys..

He died an American

 

[DrForester]

I find it hilarious the only defense to keep imperial is because it's "too ingrained". The US is still an infant in age compared to every other country that already switched to metric.

It's not just the "ingrained" defense, there's also a huge cost. Just for the highway and interstate infrastructure, it would require millions (probably billions) to change mile markers, and almost every state would have to change every interstate exit numbers, since they're based on mile markers.

 

[Dilly]

Nobody denies that the US were first to the moon, it's a fact.
You only have to consider how they managed to do it, and it's not because "USA is great, fuck yeah !", but because they seized an opportunity to benefit from the work of others. Just like their economic dominance was greatly helped by the self-destruction of the previously dominant countries/empires.
Considering all of that happened in a few decades, less than a lifetime, it makes you think about how fragile all current "empires" can be, and how things can change quickly.

This.

 

[Alx]

And I would argue that it is because "America is great, fuck yeah!!" . It was a mutal exchange for Braun.

We took him and his family from a war battered Germany, gave them citizenship, and gave him high-ranking good paying jobs in our military and other agencys..

He died an American

Such a touching and beautiful story... if only more nazi officers could have benefited from such humane treatment instead of hiding in South America or rotting in jail, we would live in a nice and not at all cynical world.

 

[RevoDS]

I'm not sure anyone can really be smug. At least here in Canada, we're not doing much better. While we're officially on the metric system, we actually use some sort of hybrid system.

It's 14 celsius outside, but the pool temperature is 64 fahrenheit.
I've got a kilogram of flour but I weigh 150 pounds.
Relatively short distances are usually approximated in feet, but longer ones are in kilometers.

Could keep going for a while...

 

[strata8]

So NotTarts why don't you just use a European site for your tech? I really don't see the middle finger to whoever.

Its an American site. Meant mostly for coverage to americans.

It may be based in the US, and have a disproportionately high amount of US-specific content, but it serves an international audience - at least 120 million native English speakers who don't live in the US and don't understand US customary units.

I'm also not aware of any English European sites that have the same coverage as the likes of The Verge or Engadget.

It's not a huge annoyance, but it's a stupid barrier to communicating some information that wouldn't exist at all if the US government had the guts to metricate 30-40 years ago like everyone else did.

It's not just the "ingrained" defense, there's also a huge cost. Just for the highway and interstate infrastructure, it would require millions (probably billions) to change mile markers, and almost every state would have to change every interstate exit numbers, since they're based on mile markers.

I'm not sure whether it would cost more per capita than other other country. Of course it will cost millions, but the US has 310 million citizens to absorb that cost.

 

[iamshadowlark]

Such a touching and beautiful story... if only more nazi officers could have benefited from such humane treatment instead of hiding in South America or rotting in jail, we would live in a nice and not at all cynical world.

Well, you are not gonna get that kind of treatment if you're worth little. What could those Nazi Officers offer besides being ranking officials of a failed & corrupt regime led by one of the most despicable men in history?

I say good riddance.

I'm not sure anyone can really be smug. At least here in Canada, we're not doing much better. While we're officially on the metric system, we actually use some sort of hybrid system.

It's 14 celsius outside, but the pool temperature is 64 fahrenheit.
I've got a kilogram of flour but I weigh 150 pounds.
Relatively short distances are usually approximated in feet, but longer ones are in kilometers.

Could keep going for a while...

But math is hard.

 

[OldAsUrSock]

Every other country seemed to adjust okay.

The USA is not a small country.

 

[OldAsUrSock]

That's a Vietnamese Flag... I was referring to the war they already lost because of the macho "America is the greatest!" attitude.

Vietnam was not a military defeat for the USA.

 

[btrboyev]

I think the bigger issue is when will Europe get with not using weird ass frequencies with electronics. The PAL format should die

 

[btrboyev]

Vietnam was not a military defeat for the USA.

It wasn't a victory for damn sure

 

[Kinyou]

when you can build the greatest empire in human history
be first to the moon
be the world's police
invent every relevant item of your modern life

and basically run the world



then may be we will switch over to your inferior system. our one has done us pretty well up to now

This amount of patriotism makes me want to puke

I dunno know what the deal with non-Americans in this thread is, people here will both systems depending on the situation.

Why does the use of the imperial system in any context bother someone in Europe or Australia or wherever you are from ?

Like I said, it's like your dad still running his PC with Windows 95. It doesn't affect your life in anyway but it still bothers you.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

The USA is not a small country.

This post doesn't make any kind of sense. Russia is not a small country. China is not a small country. Europe is a whole continent full of countries that are, together, far more populous than the United States. Why could the metric system work in these countries, but magically not work in America?

 

[iamshadowlark]

This amount of patriotism makes me want to puke


Like I said, it's like your dad still running his PC with Windows 95. It doesn't affect your life in anyway but it still bothers you.

Yeah, thats a horrible analogy.

 

[Haunted]

Some countries hold on to backwards systems in the face of reason. It's a bit annoying and a bit silly, but whatever. I mean, I do hope they understand that it would be an improvement for them eventually, but I think the USA has much much bigger problems to worry about right now than upgrading their outdated systems of measurement to the international standard.

Like I said, it's like your dad still running his PC with Windows 95. It doesn't affect your life in anyway but it still bothers you.

Haha yeah, that's pretty apt.

You only mean well when you tell him to switch to Windows 7 or another modern OS but he complains how it's a hassle to switch now and how he's so used to Windows 95 and that he doesn't care that everyone else uses something else. And you just shake your head and mutter "oh dad" with a smile and he gets all puffed up and irritated and invades your country with bombs.


wait what

 

[Kinyou]

Yeah, thats a horrible analogy.

Care to elaborate?

 

[iamshadowlark]

This post doesn't make any kind of sense. Russia is not a small country. China is not a small country. Europe is a whole continent full of countries that are, together, far more populous than the United States. Why could the metric system work in these countries, but magically not work in America?

Its not that it wouldn't work. Its been said umpteen times that the metric system is widely used in USA. Its just that there is little to no reason to move from using both like we currently have.

 

[Nesotenso]

This post doesn't make any kind of sense. Russia is not a small country. China is not a small country. Europe is a whole continent full of countries that are, together, far more populous than the United States. Why could the metric system work in these countries, but magically not work in America?

who said it doesn't ?

 

[iamshadowlark]

Care to elaborate?

For one, this isn't like the average PC that only uses one operating system. The "modern operating system" is already in use. Its also laughable because windows 95 is considered one of the best OSes from MS.

Some countries hold on to backwards systems in the face of reason. It's a bit annoying and a bit silly, but whatever. I mean, I do hope they understand that it would be an improvement for them eventually, but I think the USA has much much bigger problems to worry about right now than upgrading their outdated systems of measurement to the international standard.

Errr what? Its embarrassingly inconsequential and almost nothing would be better than it was before. LOL