The U.S. Metric System: Adoption and Resistant Change

The U.S. has officially adopted the metric system, particularly in science, engineering, and the military. Despite this, the metric system has not been widely promoted in everyday usage due to the weak governance and resistance from the public. This article explores why the U.S. has not fully embraced the metric system and the role of governance in this process.

Official Adoption and Exceptions

The U.S. officially adopted the metric system in 1866. It became part of the regulated system of measurement, alongside American Customary Units. The official declaration occurred during a significant period in the country's history, the early stages of the Industrial Revolution. This period saw the rise of expensive manufacturing plants as a main source of American jobs and consumer products. Given that the Imperial System was already in place, machinery was developed to size in Imperial units, and workers were trained to deal with these units. Many products were also made to feature Imperial units.

Reasons for Non-Availability

The reasons for the non-wide-scale adoption of the metric system are multifaceted. According to experts, one of the primary factors is the weak governance in the U.S. A strong government typically promotes and enforces changes to the measurement system, ensuring a smooth transition. However, in the U.S., the resistance from the public plays a significant role.

The public is resistant to change, and governments are also hesitant to force such changes. This resistance influences the way knowledge is passed down from one generation to the next. Instead of adapting to new systems, new generations often learn to be intellectual clones of the previous ones. This creates a society that, despite technological advancements, remains stuck in a superstitious or religious mindset, incapable of moving forward into a modern world.

Government's Role and SI Units

Despite not fully promoting the metric system, the U.S. government has taken steps to reframe the relationship between the U.S. units and the metric system. The U.S. units are now defined as conversion factors to SI units, which have a defined and standardized system. The SI units are the only system in the world with a definitive definition, providing a solid foundation for scientific and technical applications.

International Context and Implications

The U.S. is one of the few developed countries that still rely heavily on the Imperial system for many everyday measurements. Interestingly, other countries, like Canada, have also faced challenges in fully transitioning to the metric system. The Canadian experience, as shared by a resident, highlights the difficulties and frustrations associated with such changes. The transition was considered awkward, and it even impacted personal relationships, as someone trying to assist their children with math homework faced challenges due to the temperature conversion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the U.S. has officially embraced the metric system, its widespread adoption is hindered by factors like weak governance and public resistance. The U.S. government has chosen to redefine U.S. units in terms of SI units, ensuring that there is a standardized and scientifically sound basis for measurements. However, unless there is a stronger push from both government and public opinion, the metric system will continue to be a secondary measurement system in many parts of the U.S.