U.S. system of measurement sinking below other countries
Ben Gillham
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Opinions
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Staff Viewpoint
Imagine standing over a water-filled beaker jar with a $100 bill at the bottom of it. This beaker is resting on top of a hot plate with a Celsius thermometer reading 99 degrees. The sign directly in front of you reads, "If you can reach this $100, you can have it!"Sounds like your lucky day, right? Not exactly. If you were from anywhere other than the United States, you would know that this deal is not as appealing as it seems.
As a U.S. citizen, who knows only the "customary" system of measurement, you likely did not know that the water was 1 degree Celsius away from boiling. That is one degree Celsius away from second degree burns all over your once silky, smooth hand.
Like any emotional human being, you would probably be cussing the customary system of measurement.
Okay, so I lied. Liberia and Myanmar (Burma) citizens also would have suffered from this tragedy. But still, why is the United States, a major global player, so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to adopting the Metric system of measurement?
If the rest of the world can adopt so many customs from the world superpower, such as the English language and the way of democracy, then why is the superpower unable to adopt a simple system of measurement?
"The U.S. is pretty ethnocentric, so of course we don't think we should have to change. I've often heard people say everyone else should change, which is a pretty ridiculous idea. We think our system is the best," said UM-Columbia student Chelsea Arnold.
The Metric system, also known as the International System of Units (SI), was developed in France in 1791, shortly after the French Revolution.
For easy conversion, it was based on units of 10, and its purpose was to collect data in a more consistent manner.
While the Metric system measures weight in grams, volume in liters, temperature in Celsius and length in meters, the United States measures in pounds, gallons, Fahrenheit and yards respectively.
The U.S. Customary system primarily originated from the Imperial system, which was used by the Untied Kingdom until 1995, and has had minor alterations to its format since its inauguration.
Maybe egotistical pride is blocking the United States from changing its system. Or perhaps the United States and its people are just lazy, and consequently do not want to deal with the hassle of change.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
Paul Trusten, R. Ph., Public Relations Director, U.S. Metric Association
posted 3/04/08 @ 8:36 AM CST
The Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 declared the metric system to be the preferred system of measurement for trade and commerce in the United States, but in the absence of strong national leadership from the Executive branch and from U. (Continued…)
Remek Kocz
posted 3/06/08 @ 10:11 PM CST
Good article, Ben. Although it's costing us way too much to stay with the customary system of measurement ($1.1 trillion/year by some estimates), there are too many influential voices in our society that keep us from adopting metric. (Continued…)
Kate Barnsworth (UK)
posted 3/07/08 @ 5:37 AM CST
Since when has the United Kingdom (or "Untied" Kingdom) not been using imperial since 1995? That's news to me!
Brij Bhushan Vij
posted 3/07/08 @ 8:53 AM CST
Ben Gillham:
>Sadly, the United States may be risking its own hand in the >world by not making this change.
Is this not unfortunate that US hoped that world would reverse to 'customary system of units' rather than adopt the more easy & coherant Le Systeme Internationale d'Unites (SI)? A country that joined hands first with 'Convention du Metre' is the last to THINK METRIC and is now considering for its adoption. (Continued…)
Matt S
posted 3/20/08 @ 1:30 PM CST
The metric system may be easier to put in your calculator, but has anyone tried to divide a meter even thirds...
That's correct 33.33333... centimeters. (Continued…)
Brandon
posted 8/05/08 @ 2:50 PM CST
It would cost more money to switch to the metric system. Every production, machining, and manufacturing company would have to buy new machinery. Computer systems used for manufacturing would be obsolete. (Continued…)
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