Editing Encyclopedia:Measurements Debate (section)

== Under-represented group ==

FWIW, I suspect this conversation gives an incorrect impression.  I'd bet (play) money that pro-metric American Wikipedians outnumber anti-metric American wikipedians.  First, there is plenty of popular support for metrication in the US, mixed with opposition and mostly just inertia.  Second, in the particular case of Wikipedia, the case for standard units is quite clear, and (my guess) especially likely to appeal to enyclopaedists.  Third, knowledge of metric units is not as weak in the US as implied in parts of this debate.

Note that by ''pro-metric'' and ''anti-metric'', I'm meaning general emotional attitude toward the system, and don't mean to imply that there is a binary issue here to decide for or against the metric system!  I just want a more accurate impression to be given of the people of a country to which I have some fond attachment.  [[User:Pekinensis|Pekinensis]] 15:33, 8 Feb 2005 (UTC)

:Speaking of pro and anti, I'm pro-metric, anti-circumcision, anti-deletion, pro-abortion, anti-war, pro-immigration, anti-racist, and 100% sure that [[Postman Pat|Greendale is in Yorkshire]]. [[User:Scott Gall|Scott Gall]] 08:43, 19 Mar 2005 (UTC)

::There are places where the metric system works well, and in those places it should be used.  For science, medicine, and most technical applications it is probably OK.  
::The metric system has no place in the kitchen, the home workshop, grocery store shelves, road signs, or other places where human scale is more appropriate, and where familiarity and ease of estimation are more important than precision.  Forcing metric units into commerce for consumer items is an invitation to crypto-inflation and consumer fraud.  If this makes me anti-metric then I am anti-metric.  -- [[User:Ihcoyc|Smerdis of Tlön]] 19:40, 31 Mar 2005 (UTC)

:::The metric system does have place in the kitchen etc. and is used there almost everywhere in the world. That's definitely better than having several different systems for different applications. --[[User:SLi|SLi]] 11:06, 21 Apr 2005 (UTC)

::::It's all a matter of what you're used to.  I've grown up with the metric system and thus would find Imperial units perplexing in the kitchen, the home workshop, grocery shop shelves, road signs or any other place except the pub (I can handle a pint or a fluid ounce). The US system would be even harder for me to cope with especially with their wet and dry pints.  Now if you Americans had had the benefit of a good old metric up-bringing, there'd be no such problem.  [[User:Jimp|Jimp]] 7Jun05

Pekinensis, I'd take that bet in a heartbeat--and I'd use real money.  We Americans don't like metric crap, and we get annoyed at being told that we "should" switch.  Why?  To benefit European tourists? [[User:Funnyhat|Funnyhat]] 04:26, 31 May 2005 (UTC)

: To prevent space probes crashing, perhaps? ;) -- [[User:Tarquin|Tarquin]] 10:14, 31 May 2005 (UTC)

''We Americans don't like metric crap, and we get annoyed at being told that we "should" switch.''

:Speak for yourself, [[User:Funnyhat|Funnyhat]]. I'm an American (well, at least until they outlaw [[liberal]]s) and my life would be far easier if we would finally join the rest of the world in metrication. Vast swaths of America are already fully converted to metric, and it's more than time that we encouraged the remaining sectors to convert. Or do you like an ever-growing trade deficit? -- [[User:Atlant|Atlant]] 12:40, 31 May 2005 (UTC)

::Not only European tourists but tourists from anywhere ... &, of course, yourselves.  [[User:Jimp|Jimp]] 7Jun05