I'd like to point out that in all countries that have gone metric in the past two centuries, the system met with huge opposition at first. Later on, however, when everybody got used to it, no one wanted to go back the old system because everybody found it so much easier to use the same system as used abroad.

I know some of you may find it difficult to leave a system of measurement behind that has been a part of our culture for centuries. In my opinion, however, we won't lose our identity by going metric.

These days, the world is becoming more and more universal and one single system of measurement is therefore needed, as well as standardized road signs, standardized (mobile) telephone systems, global agreements on air traffic, etc.

Making the use of the metric system compulsory is a good thing, otherwise we will keep on using the imperial system and will never get used to metric. I can guarantee you that once everybody will have got used to it, we won't want to go back to our imperial system. From that moment on, metric will have become a part of our British culture.

Wrong for oh so many reasons, but I have an appointment and must go out, so perhaps these others fellows will elaborate.

"metric makes sense"- as much as Imperial (perhaps less), thus, let us keep Imperial. Good evening.

Hi Conrad,
I recall something you said about roadsigns.
Correct me if I am confusing you with someone else.
You grew up with kilometers (Belgium, I think) and
moved to UK and one of the main attractions to you
of vacationing on continent is getting back to
roadsigns with kilometers. That really impressed
me--you didn't seem to be exaggerating or joking
and it showed a real love for the units you grew up
with (at least at the roadsign level.)

I think your own testimony and example shows how
the measures a person applies to the world around
him can be a part of his cultural identity. there
is no reason to minimize it (something you have
strong feelings about yourself) and say that the
minority should give up part of their identity to suit
the majority merely because they are the majority.

BTW you know I am partial to miles (having for one
thing grown up in US) and a russian relative of mine
who was recently in Japan said he saw nothing but
miles on roadsigns in Japan. This sounded crazy to
me (but he was quite sensible in everything else he
said) so what is right? Does anybody know?

Metric units do not seem sensible to me. they don't
make any better sense to me after reading your post,
which does not seem to contain any clear reasons to
change to metric. The only way units seem to make
sense is if they are what you grew up with (in other
words what is traditional for you) or else if they
are the natural units built into light and gravity and
nature as a whole.

the universe has natural units intrinsic to it that do
make pretty good sense and some scientists
(particularly in physics and astronomy) use them
because they are more convenient for some things than
metric units are. But natural units (although they make
sense) do not seem to be in the running.

I think Conrad brings up a valid point though:
Both Canada and Australia went (forcibly) metric, and even though the younger folks have the old system around them (by speaking to old people), noone seriously wants to convert back to imperial.
So, what's up with that ?
Are they cultureless, or brainwashed ?

I think what it shows is that the "we don't want to change to metric because imperial is older/better/more cultural etc/." is to a big part a "I don't want to learn something new" and a discussion.

Ralf

If I would have grown up with a system that is only used by a minority of the world population, I wouldn't make difficulties about switching to another more widely used system of measurement.

It's just that I tend to think globally...

"...and a russian relative of mine
who was recently in Japan said he saw nothing but
miles on roadsigns in Japan."

Wouldn't it be much nicer, however, if the road signs in Japan were given in Ri, instead?

{These days, the world is becoming more and more universal and one single system of measurement is therefore needed, as well as standardized road signs, standardized (mobile) telephone systems, global agreements on air traffic, etc.}

While we'rea at it, we can elimate the common law and trial by jury--yes?

{Making the use of the metric system compulsory is a good thing, otherwise we will keep on using the imperial system and will never get used to metric.}

Or the government can butt out of peoples lives on get one with it's sole legimate duty, defending the inalienable rights of the people.

"While we'rea at it, we can elimate the common law and trial by jury--yes?"

Hey, Mike! Give them their dues! They *are* trying... ;)

"While we'rea at it, we can elimate the common law and trial by jury--yes?

Hey, Mike! Give them their dues! They *are* trying..."

Indeed, since the 60s a commission is putting step by step common law precedents into a kind of statute law. This is not an attempt to "Europeanize" Britain, but the commission's aim is to modernize and uniformize common law and to remove or limit the judges' discretion.

{Indeed, since the 60s a commission is putting step by step common law precedents into a kind of statute law. This is not an attempt to "Europeanize" Britain, but the commission's aim is to modernize and uniformize common law and to remove or limit the judges' discretion}

A modern, uniform common law is a reasonable goal, but if you allow the government to remove the power of a judge and jury to re-interpret or even nullify the law, you will lose your last line of defense against the government.