Subject: Use of non-metric values (miles, feet)
Posted by: Krzysztof
Date: Mar 07 10
I know this site consists mostly of US players or players from other countries that emerged from the British Empire, where the unit measures like inch, foot, mile, pound etc. have survived quite a long time.
Unfortunatelly, for us who have never been part of the British Empire world, those units have been obsolete for about one hundred years.
So it would be really nice to include the metric values as well, especially in questions where they are officially expressed in the metric values (for exemple track and field records).
I don't mind yards as the only unit of measure in the American football questions, but in the case of international sports (or highest mountains, distances between cities, speeds and many others) answering sometimes even a simple question (to which we know the answer perfectly) can suddenly become a chellange, because the question's author forgot about the rest of the world and the quiz editor was short-sighted as well.
Posted by: Krzysztof
Date: Mar 07 10
I know this site consists mostly of US players or players from other countries that emerged from the British Empire, where the unit measures like inch, foot, mile, pound etc. have survived quite a long time.
Unfortunatelly, for us who have never been part of the British Empire world, those units have been obsolete for about one hundred years.
So it would be really nice to include the metric values as well, especially in questions where they are officially expressed in the metric values (for exemple track and field records).
I don't mind yards as the only unit of measure in the American football questions, but in the case of international sports (or highest mountains, distances between cities, speeds and many others) answering sometimes even a simple question (to which we know the answer perfectly) can suddenly become a chellange, because the question's author forgot about the rest of the world and the quiz editor was short-sighted as well.
37 replies. On page 1 of 2 pages. 1 2
jonnowales 
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What's wrong with learning other unit systems? Reply #1. Mar 07 10, 9:02 AM |
daver852
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The metric system is for sissies. Besides, it's just as hard for us to convert miles to kilometers or whatever. Reply #2. Mar 07 10, 10:05 AM |
guitargoddess
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Canada uses the metric system, but I find for some things the use of feet, inches, etc. makes more sense.. Maybe that's just because I'm used to it, but to me saying someone is 5'10" tall is a lot easier to understand/picture in my mind than saying they are 175 cm tall (or whatever it is). And I have to say - I'm not sure it really matters? I don't think I've ever come across a question here where you need to know exact measurements to answer the question correctly. Yes, miles and inches and whatnot may often be used in a question's interesting information, but this doesn't prevent you from understanding the question itself. I suppose there might be Sports questions out there that ask for like the record speed of throwing a baseball (in miles per hour), but to me, that's an example of a much too specific question, whether it's in metric or not. Reply #3. Mar 07 10, 10:08 AM |
Krzysztof
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daver, I never asked for using ONLY the metric system, I suggested this as a requirement for quiz writers (just as proper spelling, capitalization etc. is required). I only wanted this site to be more international :) I saw many times questions to which I knew the answer, but I lost valuable seconds (in timed games) having to convert them to inches etc. Today's question (in the New Question game) about world record in long jump (if you wake me up in the middle of the night, I'll tell you it's 8.95 meters, because this record has been standing for more than 19 years now and becuase Beamon's previous record held enev longer) was the last straw that breaks the camel's back. I got so lost in all those feet values that I finally chose the wrong answer. About Canada: As I said in my previous post, those post-British countries are used to feet etc., because those units are or were common there not long ago (even in those countries that switched completely or partially to the metric system), but most countries in Europe stopped using them a few generations ago, that's a big gap. Reply #4. Mar 07 10, 12:26 PM |
agony
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I think it's a useful suggestion. Quiz writers can use the term they are most familiar with, and then include the other in brackets afterward. In the categories I edit (Music and Lit) this does not come up too often, but I'll certainly keep it in mind. I can't speak for the editors in categories such as Sports and Geography, where it would be more than theoretical. Certainly individual quiz authors who agree that this is a good idea can include the information, whether or not it is specifically required. daver852, I'm assuming you were joking, with your "wimps" comment. Reply #5. Mar 07 10, 12:38 PM |
Anton
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Agony, he said sissies. Sissies are a step up from wimps. :D On topic: I won't ever use metric in anything I do. Reply #6. Mar 07 10, 12:43 PM |
| supersal1
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That one can be overcome a lot of the time by not putting measurements as the answers. There must be a better way of asking the question. Reply #7. Mar 07 10, 12:54 PM |
redwaldo
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I grew up with the British system and sometimes find it tedious to convert to metrics. But the poster has a valid point;most of the world uses metrics; the English-speaking world is gradually adopting this system. Even the U.S. will eventually fall into line. Reply #8. Mar 07 10, 12:56 PM |
| Krzysztof
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Supersal1, I don't agree :) World records are integral part for example of some sports, people sometimes get huge prize money for setting them (more than for winning World Champion). Also why is Mt. Everest so famous? It's not the hardest mountain to climb, but it's unique as the highest. What body temperature (in Celsius degrees of course!) is deadly for human organism, what's the freezing point of water and so on and so forth. Some numbers are integral part of our lives and make a great Funtrivia material too. Reply #9. Mar 07 10, 1:00 PM |
| Anton
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"Even the U.S. will eventually fall into line." Want to bet? :) Reply #10. Mar 07 10, 1:03 PM |
lesley153
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Years ago, I was told that the only concession America made to the metric system was to call the three-and-a-half inch floppy disc the 3.5 inch. The Imperial system grew out of real life, not some arbitrary division of some estimated distance. Older people in Britain are perfectly comfortable with 12d and 20s, 16oz and 14lb, 88fps and 1760 yards, and resent having this sissy, and meaningless, system thrust upon us. Even the Germans refer to 500g as a Pfund. I'm sure we shall continue to resist it, as will the Americans - but we probably won't manage to resist its adoption for as long as the French did! Rather than making some mad stab at the girth of the globe, the idealist who invented this insipid system could have been a hero if he had related units of length to units of time. Or would that have been too clever for him? Reply #11. Mar 07 10, 1:52 PM |
strudi74
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While I respect everyone's right to use whatever system they want, I have only ever dealt in metric- my grandfather still talked in imperial and I know how to convert a number of measurements, but I have never used the imperial system in day to day life, despite living in an ex-colony. To me Krzysztof has a valid point. Reply #12. Mar 07 10, 2:12 PM |
| daver852
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The U.S. will convert to metric when pigs fly. I believe it is incumbent on the rest of the world to convert to our system. It will help to develop children's math skills. Reply #13. Mar 07 10, 2:22 PM |
flopsymopsy
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Do you think the USA could also learn to cook using weighed measures rather than volume? It confuses the heck out of me, lol. Oh and please use the proper (i.e. British) measurements for pints and gallons... ;) I am a true polyglot Brit. I cook in metric, and buy food in kilos and grams - and sometimes grammes. I drive at speeds measured in miles per hour, I am presented daily with weather forecasts given in Centigrade but I only know whether I'm going to be hot or cold in Fahrenheit. I've used metric money for nearly 40 years but I could add up much faster in pounds, shillings, and pence. When Roger Bannister broke the sprint record he broke the four minute mile but our new Olympics stadium is measured in metres. It's a crazy mixed up world. I like it. :) Reply #14. Mar 07 10, 2:54 PM |
DivineMsDRL
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A couple of years ago hubby and I were in Oregon, and were returning home. We stopped in at the grocery store to pick up sandwich items. At the deli, I almost asked for 200 grams of roast beef. Then I remembered, ohhh no, no metric here. I agonized what that would have been in ounces, so I gave up and asked for 6 slices. Reply #15. Mar 07 10, 4:37 PM |
7PinKy7
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The American will never change. We do everything our way. If you don't like it then live with it or you change. Actually your point is good for the rest of the world. There should be both forms of measurment so it is far to everyone. Still us American will never change. Reply #16. Mar 07 10, 6:40 PM |
Pagiedamon
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OK, folks, now I'm getting complaints for the way this thread is developing. Please stay on topic (and off the offensive). Reply #17. Mar 07 10, 8:29 PM |
tezza1551
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I was in Year 10 at high school when our money changed to decimal. When I started nursing, everything was recorded in both systems - so, a baby weighed 4500g or 10lb. Now, 40 years later, I am just as likely to write out a recipe for someone using a mixture - 250g butter, 8 oz brown sugar etc.. I think equally well (or equally badly) in both. Can understand how it would be confusing if you were only familiar with one system. Reply #18. Mar 07 10, 8:56 PM |
kyleisalive
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Was just about to say the same. This thread is about the topic listed as opposed to national persistence. This is one of those things to keep an open mind about. For some perspective, only three countries aren't metric now. ;) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_system Quizzes won't be pedantic so as to ask for an extremely irrelevant measurement, and accommodating for one system over the other isn't really that fair. This ties into some of the talks we've had in the forums about America-centricity and while many of our users may be from the States, many are also from other countries, metric system or not. If I'd found the quiz to be too centric in whichever direction, I'd rate it respectably, but this doesn't bother me personally. A lot of the time, editors will ask the author to mention if the quiz is US or UK centric in the intro. Reply #19. Mar 07 10, 9:02 PM |
romeomikegolf
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The UK is a strange place as far as this is concerned. If you're over 40 you'll be more likely to stick to Imperial. Feet and inches, miles and pounds just make more sense. My kids, all approaching 30 only use metric, it's how they were taught. The Government can't make it's mind up, we drive around our roads and see signs saying that there is a low bridge with a headroom of 14 feet, 300m ahead. I do think though that quiz authors should specify if there quiz uses metric or Imperial measurements. I try to say if my quiz is UK specific if it isn't apparent from the title, but I may not do it every time. Reply #20. Mar 07 10, 11:32 PM |
37 replies. On page 1 of 2 pages. 1 2
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