The US should switch to metric

[MRT144]

I think the metric system is great in everything but temperature. The thing i like about the standard system is that 80 degrees is a hell of a lot different than 60, and 60 a lot different than 40. in metric terms quantifying temperatures for the weather is bizarre and strange.

[Buck Birdseed]

Different metric cultures use different metric subdivisions. In Sweden the Hektogram (100 grams) is quite commonly used, as is the Centilitre (1/100 of a litre) on bottles. In Hungary by far the most common measure of weight is the Dekagram (10 grams)...

[MikeH]

Why is that any different to any of the other measurements? It's just what you are used to. In Metric 10C is a lot different to 20C. *shrug*

[MRT144]

but its not as precise. and thats the problem i have with it.

[catullus]

Asher and AH are, of course, wrong. They're just used to the old system, and can't quite comprehend the new one.
No contest, metric is easier. Not the individual unit. Almost any unit of measurement is as good as any other(*). Claiming acre to be easier is than hectar, or Celsius better than Fahrenheit is hogwash. But as a complete system, metrics are not equalled by anything.

Tough to learn, of course, better to un-learn first.

I remember when they switched for hp to kW in measuring engine power over here. I still find myself converting back when I read auto magazines.

C.
(*) With the exception of some weirdo-systems like the inch-foot-yard-mile measurements. Pure evil.

[Combat Ingrid]

http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/internat.htm

According to a survey taken several years ago, the only other countries (besides the US) that have not officially adopted the metric system are Liberia (in western Africa) and Myanmar (also known as Burma, in southeast Asia).

[DAVOUT]

Sorry for those who advocate for the US to adopt the metric system, but when M. Bush will realize where it originates from, it will no longer be an issue ...

[Saint Marcus]

but its not as precise. and thats the problem i have with it.

So you're in favor of creating a system to measure the temperature in in which freezing temperature is 257 and boiling temperature is 49056.

This way, 7089 is a lot different from 15982.

Talk about precise.

(in short, I don't understand your comment. You find the difference between 10 and 20 degrees celsius less precise than the difference between 80 and 60 degrees fahrenheit. why?)

[MRT144]

yes saint marcus, thats what i said. why not put more words in my mouth?

its because of the way in which we percieve temperature. i have no problem with celcius for science. but for weather reports fahrenheit is great because you can percieve a greater difference in the temperatures reported.

[Chemical Ollie]

The 5 % of the world population that stubbornly stick to inches and gallons should just give in. Let the French meter rule!

[Harovan]

Originally posted by MRT144
but its not as precise. and thats the problem i have with it.

By your logic, centimeters are undoubtly more precise than inches. Would you adopt those?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by MRT144
its because of the way in which we percieve temperature. i have no problem with celcius for science. but for weather reports fahrenheit is great because you can percieve a greater difference in the temperatures reported.

That's because you are so bloody ingrained with Fahrenheit. For me, I don't know how cold or hot 68°F is, on the other hand, I know exactly how cold or hot 18°C is.

[Saint Marcus]

but for weather reports fahrenheit is great because you can percieve a greater difference in the temperatures reported.

by that logic, my system would be better since you can percieve a greater difference in temperatures reported. After all, there's a huge difference between 8765 and 13489, don't you agree?

[Harovan]

Fahrenheit may be more "precise" (well, not really, you always could use decimals with Celsius), this precision is not really necessary for everyday's use. There's almost no difference between 65F and 66F, and in the weather prognoses degrees are seldom used, they say "high sixties" or "low seventies", so much for the higher precision.

When I use Celsius, I find temperatures below 0 "icy" and I dress really warm, 0-10 is "cool" and I still dress warm, 10-20 is "moderate" and I need a light jacket, 20-30 is "warm" and I wear a T-shirt, and above 30 is "hot" and I avoid to go out. That's my (central european) perception of temperature. Celsius fits it nicely. I don't need that precision, anyway.

[MikeH]

My southern UK definition of temperature.

Anything below 5 is cold, wear a coat hat etc. 5-10 is cold, 10-15 is moderate 15-22 is hot, wear a t-shirt. 23+ is an unbearable furnace of hell.