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Comment by mulmen | Hacker News Reader

You can't multiply by two? The fractional scale is based on reciprocal powers of two. Would it be easier for you if they were denoted in binary? It's the same idea, with the same benefits.

You are conflating two ideas. The fractional scale could be applied to metric units just as well as US customary units. Like how Americans use thousandths of inches in some cases.

Buying "American" tools is no different than buying metric tools. They come in sets with common sizes.

The metric system is in widespread use in the US and has been for decades.

You can choose to interpret the continued use of US Customary units as stubbornness or ignorance but that says more about you than Americans.

I choose to view it as Americans being comfortable using the right tool for the job instead of swinging the same old hammer at every new screw.

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I personally don't care about this too much, I just buy a lot more tools and other instruments from China because the metric system is a better and simpler to use and their tools are starting to get better and better all the time.

I've seen plenty of videos of other American craftsmen deciding to go metric voluntarily because dealing with fractions is for chumps and they also want access to a wider range of tools.

I think it's a loss for America...and it is stubbornness just adapt and our whole species can more easily move forwards together.

Weird because all my metric tools were made in America. As you are already aware the US already uses the metric system. I don’t see the problem.

Quickly, how many feet in a mile? What about quarter of a mile? Eighth of a mile? How many inches is a half of a mile?

Now try with kilometers, meters, and centimeters. I think this is the point that is being made.

Irrelevant but:

5280. 1320. 660. 2640*12 is 26400+5280 so 31680 inches.

Since we are playing games tell me the last time it was important for you to know that something was 768,342 millimeters away? Or do you just call that 750 meters? You use the appropriate unit for the task.

I know HN commenters get irrationally angry about the US customary system but you missed the entire point here. Fractions aren't unique to US customary units and powers of 10 aren't unique to the metric system. You fell back into that same trap of "everything is powers of 10!" like that's the only thing that matters.

But if powers of 10 are so great why isn't everything base 10?

How many degrees are in a circle? How many hours in a day? Seconds per minute? Days per month? Months per year? How many letters in the alphabet? How many bits per byte?

We all use different bases all the time, without really thinking about it. It's just not a big deal.

What is the actual point you're trying to make here? The parent is right, you cannot answer those questions off the top of your head, even if you can, millions, or some obscure fraction of the population cannot.

Besides, the English invented this stuff and moved on. The Americans cling to it, but it's not some special part of the American culture which requires preserving.

The British did not invent the US Customary System. The US adopted the metric system decades before the British. The US already uses the metric system everywhere it matters so there’s no economic benefit to be gained.

I have been clear here. If you don’t get it that’s your choice. I encourage to you look into the history and reality of metrication globally and the difference between the imperial and US customary systems.

“Lol inches” is a cliche and ignorant take.

Yet most tools I buy in America are still using inches, can you explain why that is ?

I dislike your comments because you seem to just gloss over reality and pretend everything is as you imagine it when it's not.

Every single weather report in the USA today is in Fahrenheit, is this the metric system?

Every single car I drive in America is using miles, is this metric?

You're delusional if you think that America actively uses the metric system.

Somewhat related, the 24 hour clock. It's really handy once you get used to it. But I think a lot of am/pm users just resist the idea of mental math. 12 is much too complex to add or subtract during a mental migration phase.

I set my clocks to 24 hours whenever possible. I started doing this because it is easier for me at work and that just carried over.

I don’t think anyone is resisting the idea of a 24 hour clock. It’s more likely they are just sticking with what they know and have bigger problems than thinking about how they keep time.

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