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Debate Info

40
34
Metric System Us Customary System
Debate Score:74
Arguments:54
Total Votes:80
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 Metric System (29)
 
 Us Customary System (25)

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The U.S should Adopt the Metric System

Metric System

Side Score: 40
VS.

Us Customary System

Side Score: 34
6 points

Well it is already adopted by the technical fields, military, industry, and the school system. For two basic reasons

1.) Easier to use, easier to program, easy to read and understand.

2.) Is the world standard, and is demanded to be used by anything that wishes to be international.

Another thing is that it was decided by the supreme court that the states are the ones to decide if to switch... none have, although they can at their discretion.

Side: Metric System
rvuriti(2) Disputed
1 point

But is it easy to pay for? No. Costs result in higher taxes, resulting in firing, resulting in selling your house for some money, resulting in spending the money for survival, resulting in selling your belongings, resulting in using all of it, resulting in not being able to afford food, resulting in starvation and sufferance, resulting in your body eating yourself inside out, going all the way up to your required organs, resulting in you losing them, but you can't survive without the primary organs, resulting in death. That is the order of the "metric system crisis".

Side: Us Customary System
1 point

wait a sec. you STILL use the imperial system. Jeez now that is old-fashioned.Traditional but old-fashioned

Side: Metric System
2 points

Yep... one of the last three countries to not switch to SI, sad isn't it?

They/We were offered to be the 2nd country on it after France adopted it, but they/we declined due to

1.) 'Tradition'

2.) Expensive to switch at the time... with limited countries accepting it.

How ever they/we are on the way, Liters are used far more commonly than gallons (Thanks, humorously enough, mostly to soda companies only using metric for containers). Similar to the UK in the 60's and 50's, the school system uses it for educational use. Sadly the USA has had that happening for 3 decades now, in the school system. The military uses it and nothing else (except in non-professional occasions rarer).

And as I stated earlier, it is up to each individual state to adopt it on their own willing, because the USA is a federal government (Smaller sections that make up a whole) rather than a Unitary government (one section split into smaller sections) like the UK.

So when are you guys going to switch to Kelvin rather than Celsius? I find it more useful.

Side: Metric System
NuclearFish(182) Disputed
0 points

Aye, it is expensive to switch... But moreso for companies, not the government. Think of the number of jobs companies will have to add for the project?

Side: Metric System
rvuriti(2) Disputed
1 point

I don't know about me, but you must be an idiot to not realize that this site has the word debate in it. Not a comment page.

Not trying to be ironic by sending this post, but its just FYI

Side: Us Customary System

I can't think of any legitimate argument against the adoption of a logical system based upon powers of ten.

Side: Metric System
aveskde(1935) Disputed
1 point

I can't think of any legitimate argument against the adoption of a logical system based upon powers of ten.

Then you, sir, lack imagination.

I invented a system based upon multiples of twelve. It works very well for my cooking practices.

Side: NAS
1 point

Then you, sir, lack imagination.

No, I have more sense than imagination, but I have plenty of both.

I invented a system based upon multiples of twelve. It works very well for my cooking practices.

Ah, so the mathematical perfection that is the metric system should be ignored because you find it easier to cook using multiples of 12. Part of the beauty of the metric system is the easy conversion of decimals, so it could easily be adapted to this.

Side: Metric System
1 point

It is a far more recognized system used the world over. For international commerce or pursuits such as science it is already needed. Thus it seems rational to include it in other areas and there would be less need to convert and it eases any international process.

Side: Metric System
1 point

The metric system is clearly the way to go. While there will be significant pain during the conversion process, we can't wait! Every generation that is brought up on a system other than the metric system will find it difficult to change, but that too shall pass.

Let's do it now! And let's remove all of the duplicate work and confusion.

Side: Metric System

Well I say that the world should be one and the U.S. can help this cause by using the Metric System. And we should share disputes and other opinions with different perspectives.So if we get everything here (Earth) to be peaceful we can concentrate on space travel.(This is just my opinion.)

Side: Metric System

I would go with the metric system. Base tens are easier to than base twelves. Almost all other industrialized countries in the world use the metric system. I don't see why we shouldn't either.

Side: Metric System
1 point

The US is idiotic for continuing to use THEIR system. What is the point in converting the entire world to something only one single nation does? How about this time, USA, you jump on the band wagon with THE REST of the world and you will realize how beautiful and fulfilling life can really be with the metric system in place. :)

Side: Metric System

Yes, please. I've been living in the United States for years now and I still don't use the American system of measure anyways. I just don't understand why they have to make it so complicated. A base of ten is much easier, logical, and universal.

Side: Metric System
1 point

The metric system is much more simplified and easy than the US customary system, it would take a while to embed into the norm, but it would be a wise decision. Considering that the metric system is a series of tens, if we grew used to it we could easily make it regular and these ideas are ignoring the fact that the rest of the world uses the metric system. This makes it a smart economic decision as well, because it makes it easier to trade anything that needs specific measurements.

Side: Metric System
1 point

It's really not that hard to switch to the Metric system. Yes, people will be upset at first, but it isn't hard to learn. It will be easy to learn if you completely forget about the Customary System. The biggest thing is that people are worried about conversions. If you forget about the Customary system then you won't have to worry about converting. For example; you don't have to know that 5° Celsius is 41° Fahrenheit. I could go on but it seems pointless...

Side: Metric System
rvuriti(2) Disputed
1 point

Just except for the fact that you didn't consider the price to change signs, measurements entirely, and it isn't low. Changing to the metric system is something I agree isn't hard, but it is definitely going to cost a lot for the government. Resulting in higher taxes, which nobody wants to pay, businesses start firing people, and it doesn't end well.

Side: Us Customary System
1 point

Americans must ask themselves: Do we like the King - or science?? If they say "science", then they are wrong, because they still use the King's system of measurement (Imperial), and refuse to adopt the scientific system that the rest of the planet is using. Well, except Liberia and [the Union of] Myanmar (formerly "Burma").

whom we fought a war to rid ourselves from - and we even changed the driving side of the carriage to have nothing to do with him!

Talking with an anti-metric American is like talking to an anti-Mac® snob - they think others should get like the rest of the planet ... and use Windows. To them, I [calmly] say "Why don't you get like the rest of the planet and use metric??" Although they say they hate metric, I explain why and how America is already using metric (SI):

America uses metric??

The USA already uses metric! When telling me "the metric system is CRAP", I tested a former colleague with some questions. His answers were the usual ones:Food Labels

Q: What size engine does your car have in it?

A: 2.4 (that's LITERS!)

Q: What about your motorcycle?

A: It's a 750 (that's cc - Cubic CENTIMETERS!)

Q: How much Carbs did you ingest yesterday?

A: 10 grams (that's GRAMS!)

Q: What is the typical dose of aspirin?

A: 100 mg (that's MilliGRAMS!)

Q: How far was that Walk for Cancer? (or any run/walk in the USA - Professional OR amateur)

A: 7k (KILOMETERS)

Q: Wow - that's a great stereo, Dude! What's the efficiency of that speaker?

A: "97 dB @ 1 watt at 1 meter" [Dude] (that's METER)

Q: How much Cocaine did they seize in the last drug raid?

A: "5 Kilos"! (that's KILOGRAMS!)

I asked him what temperature water begins to boil and he didn't know, but [incorrectly] guessed "195" (an engine thermostat). I have a hunch that he would have known (100) if he would have been used to metric, where water freezes at 0 and boils at 100.

Let's not forget that ALL Professional cameras are 35mm (MILLIMETERS)

Super-8 film? 8 MILLIMETERS

HI-8 tape? 8 MILLIMETERS

The tires on your car are: 205/75 R15 (205 is MILLIMETERS! the 75 is % and the 15 is inches)

That 9mm Pistol pistol [illegally] in your glove box? That's 9 MILLIMETERS

All US food content is in MILLIGRAMS

All USA prescriptions are in MILLIGRAMS

Wine is sold in LITERS

Mountaineer gear is all in mm (MILLIMETERS)

If you are a Mechanic, your micrometer is 1/millionth of a METER, not INCH. Also (mentioned above), ALL tire sizes in the USA use mm (millimeters) for the middle tire size.

Fabric is all sold in cc and square meters.

The dimensions of NiCad, NiMH, Alkaline and Lithium batteries are measured in millimeters. (Dimensions of SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) batteries are measured in inches.)

Oh, and let's not forget the biggest one: The big, baaaaaad US MILITARY is completely Metric. Go ahead - check it out - ask any Service person.

I just have to add: Look up the US definition of "Calorie" - you'll find that it's: "The quantity of thermal energy required to raise one gram of water 1°C at 15°C." That's GRAMS and Celsius.

Also, see the list [below] of metric/SI derivatives.

Do you have Super 8 Film other examples to add??

So you see - the USA uses the metric system! You now see many uses of the metric system in modern-day America. Now, let's all make the move to metric time and metric calendar!! Let's join the force to make it time for America to go Metric!

---> It is noteworthy to add that the USA signed a treaty - promising that they would be COMPLETELY metric by 1985. One of over 3,000 treaties that America signed, yet didn't live up to. Now, America is holding-up the WORLD with it's Imperial"feet & inches", while the rest of the planet is metric.

the treaty was the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, calling for voluntary conversion. (A 10-year deadline was included in the original bill, but the USA keeps amending it for themselves.)

Although the use of metric measurement standards in the United States has been authorized by law since 1866 (Act of July 28, 1866), this Nation today is the only industrially developed nation which has not established a national policy of committing itself and taking steps to facilitate conversion to the metric system.

It is also noteworthy to add: Americans changed the driving side of the coach (horse & buggy) to the LEFT side - to rebel against England's RIGHT-side driver. Funny - they didn't rebel against the king's unit of measure!!! (Fahrenheit - invented in 1714. Let's see - water freezes at 0 and boils at 100. Nooooooooo - water freezes at 32, and boils at 212 ... that's MUCH easier!) Lest we forget that FEET and INCHES was invented in 2575 BC, later updated in 1303. And lastly, BTU is British Thermal Units. (Metric is kilogram-calories or kilogram-meters) you may ask: "WHY do we use BRITISH thermal units in modern-day America?" Good question. Let me know when you find out. Although many people will ask "What IS a KGC (kilogram-calorie) or a KGM (kilogram-meter)??!" I usually reply: "What IS a BTU??" they can NEVER give me the proper definition (they have no CLUE!), so that's when I ask them "So WHY do you insist on using BTUs - rather than metric??"

Side: Metric System
4 points

It shouldn't be in place! For multiple reasons,

1.) Tradition, many people are used to the system and know how to use it with enough efficiency to get a spacecraft to orbit mars. It is unneeded as the US does all it needs to do with the system already in place.

2.) Cost, It would cost lots of money to completely convert the US to metric, signs would have to be replaced, traffic systems converted to the new setup, numbers would have to be replaced on weather stations, kittens to be adopted, and also reeducating some of those who would need it.

3.) If the US tries hard enough, and stays on this system long enough, we just might convert the entire world to our system.

4.) If they switch, then the US loses to the FRENCH!

Side: Us Customary System
CJames(16) Disputed
2 points

Counter points:

1: Tradition does not equal best. Slavery was a tradition, not a good one

2: Other nations have done this and not been bankrupted, it might even be an investment as you do not need to convert units in business or it may increase efficiency.

3: America is a hold-out, most countries i can think of converted AWAY from imperial.

4: France isn't that bad.

Side: Metric System
JayAr(182) Disputed
2 points

1.) Then why has it stuck around for so long? There have to be reasons as to why.

2.) Yes, but America is different. It's larger, and has a bigger population; therefore costs more money to convert.

3.) Yes, but they can convert back. It helps if you click on the link.

4.) But plenty of Americans think that, I was hoping for a win due to this. Seems to work well in televised debates for some reason.

Side: Us Customary System
smackdye(4) Disputed
1 point

first off."slavery" wasn't a tradition.. how can you even compare that to math?

second..why should we change to suit your needs? maybe you should adapt to meet ours.

Third..America isn't a hold out.. we are an independent country..we don't need to fall to our knees to be like every other country..most o these country's have maybe 8 million people living there America has 8 million in some states..it would be a disaster to switch to the metric system.. they teach that system to us in school.. and frankly it sucks

Side: Us Customary System
2 points

4.) If they switch, then the US loses to the FRENCH!

+1 point not for a convincing argument, but making me laugh.

Side: NAS
1 point

The spacecraft to orbit mars thing was complete irony, it's about a craft that Crashed into mars due to the US customary system being used rather than the metric that the hardware required.

Side: Us Customary System
kostahondros(16) Disputed
1 point

You have points but why didn't the U.S. just stick with the metric system in the first place?

Side: Metric System
2 points

NO, the US customary system is part of the united states heritasge

Side: Us Customary System
JayAr(182) Disputed
1 point

NO, it's part of the British heritage (mostly, some things are different). THEY switched in 1975, and they were with the system for a longer time.

So what advantages does the US system have economically? That is what it comes down too in the mixed-type economy the US has.

Side: Metric System
2 points

maybe we should switch to the Euro while we are at it..nothing is wrong with the US standard..you are just going to make Americans more lazy.. i saw that comment where someone said "it s eaiser" screw that.. maybe the rest of the world should learn a harder way to do math?

Side: Metric System
2 points

Because we are a beautiful and bountiful country, we must preserve our feeling of special-ness by utilizing a complicated and not-at-all-silly measurement system. Really, who needs logic when you have Bush?

Side: Us Customary System
1 point

Why should we switch? Jut because other countries have? There really is no point besides cooperation with other countries. Our system works just fine and it would be tooo costly to fully convert anyways.

Side: Us Customary System
1 point

The metric system sucks, it goes from a centimeter to a meter, where is the in between?! Customary has an inch, a foot, and a yard.

Side: Us Customary System
JayAr(182) Disputed
4 points

You want to know how it goes? (Smallest to largest, in magnitudes of ten)

Yoctometer

zeptometer

attometer

Femtometer

picometer

nanometer

micrometer

milimeter

centimeter

decimeter (there's your go between)

meter

decameter

hectometer

kilometer

megameter

gigameter

terameter

petameter

exameter

zettameter

yottameter

Learning is good.

Side: Metric System

I think you forgot the Google meter ;)

Side: Metric System
1 point

if something isnt broken dont fix it porsanly to me the things that make the metric system bad is a littel out weighted by the things that make it good

Side: Us Customary System
1 point

and you forget that its not good to sucomed to peer preeser if evey on smoked pot would you do it to

Side: Us Customary System

The Metric System would cause too much confusion. Americans are used to the ounce, pound, and gallon system.

Side: Us Customary System