25 years ago we had to memorize conversions and use a calculator (some calculators included a “cheat sheet”). It was 2 extra steps (convert to metric, do any needed math, convert back) but pretty routine once you got the hang of it.
Since then we’ve had Wolfram Alpha and a ton of unit converter smartphone apps. Even a basic Google query can convert most units.
And yet it’s still more convenient that without Google, I can just go:
1 liter of water is 1 kilogram, 1000ml, and contained by a box of 10 x 10 x 10 centimetres. It will start freezing at 0C° and start boiling at 100C°.
(0.264172 US gallons of water is approximately 2.205 pounds, 33.814 fluid ounces, and contained by a box of approximately 3.937 x 3.937 x 3.937 inches. It will start freezing at 32°F and start boiling at 212°F.)
I’m not disagreeing at all, I would totally back a nationwide switch to 100% metric. But I’m also trained in science where it’s the standard, and don’t really do any carpentry or auto repair where US units are still (I think) the norm.
25 years ago we had to memorize conversions and use a calculator (some calculators included a “cheat sheet”). It was 2 extra steps (convert to metric, do any needed math, convert back) but pretty routine once you got the hang of it.
Since then we’ve had Wolfram Alpha and a ton of unit converter smartphone apps. Even a basic Google query can convert most units.
And yet it’s still more convenient that without Google, I can just go: 1 liter of water is 1 kilogram, 1000ml, and contained by a box of 10 x 10 x 10 centimetres. It will start freezing at 0C° and start boiling at 100C°.
(0.264172 US gallons of water is approximately 2.205 pounds, 33.814 fluid ounces, and contained by a box of approximately 3.937 x 3.937 x 3.937 inches. It will start freezing at 32°F and start boiling at 212°F.)
I’m not disagreeing at all, I would totally back a nationwide switch to 100% metric. But I’m also trained in science where it’s the standard, and don’t really do any carpentry or auto repair where US units are still (I think) the norm.