SDcampowneroperator wrote:
9' 9" is almost exactly 3 Meters. Atiny bit more. It is past time that we US Americans recognize we are backward and live i in a metric world.
When I took my future( and still) wife to Canada in '81, she could not believe how fast I convertet Km/h to Mp/hr until she saw me glance at the speedo where the speeds matched.
As Canada ???? officially switched to metric about 30 years ago against majority voters approval ( CDNs Govs. can do that) acceptance and as part of the world community, Canada is a success story of conversion, in spite of the lniial reaction. The majority gov. in parliament tn that time survived election handily for another majority.
Equate measure conversion to learning another language. Its much easier , we have all been instructed in metric, celcius since the mid 1960s I recall celcius as centigrade.
Blame could be laid on confusion with measurements to foreign tourists, as many have never been exposed to or taught our arcane system.
As a once 16 yr foreign resident, a conservative American I also advocate signage in both systems to convert the resistant.
Next we have to dispose of the penny and a paper $ as all other western mations have done.
So you are suggesting he thought it was 32ft high (9.9m) contrary to the bridge beam approaching at eye height suggested?
There are arguments for conversion to metric...this ain't one of them.
Warning thread drift....
As far as arcane: For scientific calculations, metric has clear advantages. For intuitive understanding (such as how high is that bridge ahead), imperial units make more sense.
- Metric units are largely based on the distance from the equator to the pole and the relationship of that distance to the mass of water. That is pretty arcane. Can people adapt, yeah but certainly not intuitive.
- Imperial units are largely based on the human body...something each of us has and is familiar with.
(both systems have been updated over the years for standardization as the distance from the equator to the poll varies based on where you measure it and water's properties vary with temperature and pressure. Likewise not everyone's foot is exactly the same length)
I do agree with eliminating pennies but not because coins are bad but because they are too small of value to have use.
What western countries are you aware of that have eliminated paper money? I've been to most of them and they all still accept physical cash. In fact, the USA is further towards paperless money than many. Credit cards are generally not accepted for small amounts in Germany...good luck if you arrive on Sunday and don't have Euro already. Had an issue at the major brand grocery store in Amsterdam as it was cash only.
Tammy & Mike
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