Should the USA adopt the International System of Units (SI)?

CanadaJohn · Jul 27, 2013

Canell said:
Howdy,

I was thinking, wouldn't it be better if the USA finally adopted the International System of Units?

Because...

So, what do you think?

As a Canadian, who's been exposed to the metric system for decades, I'm actually glad that the US retains imperial measures because it keeps me sharp and gives me perspective - I grew up with imperial measure, that's what came naturally, so when we went to metric it wasn't easy to pick up or follow initially and conversion became the norm - I still like doing the conversions. Besides, as a country that is inundated with American culture, media and business, it's nice knowing both systems and what they mean.

In a practical sense, however, for business it would be less expensive packaging in one system instead of one set for the American market and another set for shipping to Canada and other trading partners.

MoSurveyor · Jul 28, 2013

Quag said:
Doesn't matter what you spend appliances are designed to fail in less than 10 years. Ask any salesman (who have all the reason in the world to lie) and they will tell you. As to bridges yes they over compensated before but it isn't because of stupid politicians (that would be building a 2 lane bridge when anyone could tell in next 10 years at least 3 necessary) but corrupt politicians and builders. Point is if all new stuff is made metric tomorrow it will not be a huge cost on anyone you will still be able to use old stuff until it is replaced except for a few very very long lived things. remember the gyprock stuff (I can still find it in 4'X8') but there was not such a huge history of buildings using it. Gyprock only got going after the war so roughly 60 years only older than that it wasn't made to standard 4'X8' as there was no such thing. Again its not a huge expense.
The longer you wait to switch the more problematic it will be but that does not mean it will be cost prohibitive. Only a little more difficult.

Like I said, I've heard the "built-in obsolescence" story before - it hasn't changed a bit in 60 years. No reason to believe now is some special time in history.

I've lived in homes that used 4x8' sheetrock all my life, though the home I was born in had something else prior to '62 (don't remember what), which is when Dad remodeled it. Since the US still uses 4x8' sheets in virtually everything I doubt you would have much problem finding it in Canada. Try finding it in Europe, instead.

Cars still have SAE nuts and bolts and they've been "switching" for ~30 years, now.

Again, if you want it done fast (a decade or less) it'll cost a lot, if you take a few decades it'll be cheaper. :shrug:

marywollstonecraft · Jul 28, 2013

Quag said:
Imperial system isn't just based on 12 inches to the foot there is ounces/pound feet/yard feet/mile etc there is no standardization where metric is all the same base 10 very easy to learn

I do realize that - I guess what I am suggesting is that the metric system may not necessarily be the best possible system - although the fact that everything is based on multiples of ten certainly makes it easier - weights in particular seem pretty nonsensical in imperial.

marywollstonecraft · Jul 28, 2013

MoSurveyor said:
Like I said, I've heard the "built-in obsolescence" story before - it hasn't changed a bit in 60 years. No reason to believe now is some special time in history.

I've lived in homes that used 4x8' sheetrock all my life, though the home I was born in had something else prior to '62 (don't remember what), which is when Dad remodeled it. Since the US still uses 4x8' sheets in virtually everything I doubt you would have much problem finding it in Canada. Try finding it in Europe, instead.

Cars still have SAE nuts and bolts and they've been "switching" for ~30 years, now.

Again, if you want it done fast (a decade or less) it'll cost a lot, if you take a few decades it'll be cheaper. :shrug:

do you mean plasterboard? when I was building the most common size was 1200 x 2400, although I bought a lot in 1200 x 2700. that's in Oz - but I think you would probably find it is similar elsewhere.

have to admit though .... while hitting someone over the head with a 2 x 4 is assault, it adds a layer of clumsiness to hit them over the head with a 38 x 89 .....

marywollstonecraft · Jul 28, 2013

Goshin said:
I have no problem with it. I can think in meters and km and liters and hectares, no big. However, I was taught all this stuff in school then it was reinforced by my interest in science (where almost all measurements are in metric). A lot of people don't get it so easily, and if they've used 'murican measurements for the past 40 years then Joe Avg isn't going to convert over so easily.

IMO just put the two side by side for a couple generations.

JFYI the thing I always hate about "imperial" measures is liquid volume. I am always struggling to remember how many ounces in a quart or gallon. OTOH I find milligrams to be non-intuitive... the measure is just too small for convenience, its about the weight of a couple paper clips. Kilos are awkward because they're 2.2 lbs and converting ounces to milligrams is a pain.

most things here are in metric, and I tend to think in kilos and litres, but I also know that 600ml is equivalent to the old pint, and a 500g pack of butter is a bit more than a lb. I also think kilometres for distance and speed, but I can estimate both in miles pretty fast - and accurately. My daughter who grew up with metric found it much more challenging in thinking about distance in the UK at first, but quickly caught on.

Quag · Jul 28, 2013

MoSurveyor said:
Like I said, I've heard the "built-in obsolescence" story before - it hasn't changed a bit in 60 years. No reason to believe now is some special time in history.

I've lived in homes that used 4x8' sheetrock all my life, though the home I was born in had something else prior to '62 (don't remember what), which is when Dad remodeled it. Since the US still uses 4x8' sheets in virtually everything I doubt you would have much problem finding it in Canada. Try finding it in Europe, instead.

Cars still have SAE nuts and bolts and they've been "switching" for ~30 years, now.

Again, if you want it done fast (a decade or less) it'll cost a lot, if you take a few decades it'll be cheaper. :shrug:

Switch all new stuff now and old will follow I don't need to force it I just think it should be done. I see the two systems side by side for a while yet.

Quag · Jul 28, 2013

marywollstonecraft said:
I do realize that - I guess what I am suggesting is that the metric system may not necessarily be the best possible system - although the fact that everything is based on multiples of ten certainly makes it easier - weights in particular seem pretty nonsensical in imperial.

It may not be the best possible system but it is the best system in existence

radcen · Jul 28, 2013

MoSurveyor said:
Like I said, I've heard the "built-in obsolescence" story before - it hasn't changed a bit in 60 years. No reason to believe now is some special time in history.

I've lived in homes that used 4x8' sheetrock all my life, though the home I was born in had something else prior to '62 (don't remember what), which is when Dad remodeled it. Since the US still uses 4x8' sheets in virtually everything I doubt you would have much problem finding it in Canada. Try finding it in Europe, instead.

Cars still have SAE nuts and bolts and they've been "switching" for ~30 years, now.

Again, if you want it done fast (a decade or less) it'll cost a lot, if you take a few decades it'll be cheaper. :shrug:

I have owned vehicles that had BOTH standard and metric bolts, etc. Very frustrating, at times.

MoSurveyor · Jul 28, 2013

marywollstonecraft said:
do you mean plasterboard? when I was building the most common size was 1200 x 2400, although I bought a lot in 1200 x 2700. that's in Oz - but I think you would probably find it is similar elsewhere.

have to admit though .... while hitting someone over the head with a 2 x 4 is assault, it adds a layer of clumsiness to hit them over the head with a 38 x 89 .....

"Sheetrock" is like Xerox (copy) or Kleenex (tissue) but it has various local names like plasterboard and gypboard. I believe "drywall" is the technical term for all of it.

MoSurveyor · Jul 28, 2013

radcen said:
I have owned vehicles that had BOTH standard and metric bolts, etc. Very frustrating, at times.

Tell me about it! I've had dual sets of wrenches and sockets since the 80's and it's a PITA when it's 3/4" or 19 mm, since they're so close.

Carjosse · Jul 28, 2013

Just remember the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee you freedom of measurement.

marywollstonecraft · Jul 29, 2013

MoSurveyor said:
"Sheetrock" is like Xerox (copy) or Kleenex (tissue) but it has various local names like plasterboard and gypboard. I believe "drywall" is the technical term for all of it.

I think we call it gyprock ..

In my experience here, metal frame items are always in metric, but wood - it depends. When I was building a few years ago, I noticed that builders often referred to some timber items in inches (in some cases even when they are in metric)..... eg a 2 x 4 is called a 2 x 4 rather than a 38 x 75 - but the length is described in metres.

American · Jul 29, 2013

Rainman05 said:
Yes...

The metric system is the best. Dammit, even the British , the ones that invented the imperial system, switched to it.

The British still use some Imperial units, as does Canada.

cpgrad08 · Jul 29, 2013

Naw the rest of the world has the problem. They should switch over to the American system. :2razz:

MoSurveyor · Jul 30, 2013

marywollstonecraft said:
I think we call it gyprock ..

In my experience here, metal frame items are always in metric, but wood - it depends. When I was building a few years ago, I noticed that builders often referred to some timber items in inches (in some cases even when they are in metric)..... eg a 2 x 4 is called a 2 x 4 rather than a 38 x 75 - but the length is described in metres.

The length of boards is where they have to mesh with the size of 4x8'/1200x2400mm sheets, anyway. As long as the other two dimensions are the same throughout any one construction project they don't matter much.

DVSentinel · Jul 31, 2013

MoSurveyor said:
Tell me about it! I've had dual sets of wrenches and sockets since the 80's and it's a PITA when it's 3/4" or 19 mm, since they're so close.

Same with 13mm and 1/2". 15mm and 5/8" are pretty close also. My lawnmower has all standard except one area that has metric. I can use the 13mm in place of the 1/2", but the 1/2" just won't quite squeeze onto the 13mm.

Should the USA adopt the International System of Units (SI)?