3 ms·
Because we don't use the metric system. The metric system instills a false sense of equivalence of levels where as the imperial system makes it clear that there
by eternalban 3y ago
Because we don't use the metric system. The metric system instills a false sense of equivalence of levels where as the imperial system makes it clear that there are hierarchies, even in nature, and it's better the higher you go. This compels the non-metric user to compete against other users as well as set the general social tone. For example, metric system users have no equivalent to expressions such as "give an inch and they'll take a mile", or "mile high club".
https://www.quora.com/Are-there-any-idioms-or-sayings-based-on-the-metric-system-If-so-please-give-examples https://www.quora.com/Are-there-any-idioms-or-sayings-based-...
Metric system also makes for lazy minds. How trivial is it to remember decimal numbers and multiply by powers of 10? A child can do it. But try to master oz and inches and feet and yard and various other body parts and how they build up to a cosmos, and now you are talking more significant brain power requirements.
In sum, to design the metric system you need a brain but to use it you don't. Conversely, to design the imperial system you just needed to count toes, but to use it you need sharper minds. This is the ultimate paradox of these two systems.
- jleyank 3y agoMan, I really hope /s was omitted in this post.
- eternalban 3y agoSomewhat. One important issue is distinct approaches to social systems. The somewhat archaic, and human psychology sensitive, American system is contrasted with (pseudo-)rationalist and "objective" European approach. For example, socialism can be considered as an attempt to rationalize economy & society. But it ignores the human psychology (just like the Metric system ignores the human physiology). So this 'disconnect'* between idealized and existential reality of the human condition is imho the root of the matter. * Le Corbusier, a European intellectual in the standard mold (btw), recognized and attempted to address this disconnect in design -- do metric scale divisions have anything to do with how a human body occupies space? -- a 'rational/mathematical' system based on Fibonaci series that 'scaled' in proportion to 'natural scaling' of humans, from the size of the door knob to height of the ceiling to urban planning .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modulor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modulor https://modernism101.com/products-page/architecture/le-corbusier-the-modulor-a-harmonious-measure-to-the-human-scale-universally-applicable-to-architecture-and-mechanics-cambridge-ma-the-mit-press-april-1968/ https://modernism101.com/products-page/architecture/le-corbu...