Hey 40-somethings

[Connonym]

Do any of you remember a sort of muppet-esque TV show called "The Metric System"? I remember we used to watch this in school as part of learning the metric system. My sister is 4 years younger than me (I'm 40) and she thinks I'm on crack when I tell her that when I was in grammar school we had lessons to learn the metric system -- not as an adjunct to math class but more like a life skill to prepare us for mainstreaming the use of the metric system. AM I on crack? Does anyone else remember this?

[some guy]

1. You must be on crack

...because I don't remember this.

Or maybe it was a regional thing, or something that started after I was out of grammar school.

[Dangerously Amused]

2. I don't remember the show, but

...I do remember being taught the metric system in grade school for the time when the U.S. made "the great conversion"...


I'm still waiting.

[billyskank]

4. Well you know these things take time

[Dangerously Amused]

8. Well WE shouldn't have to do the changing anyway.

The rest of you should convert to OUR system, dammit. The universe DOES revolve around the USA, you know.


It's because we're morally superior.

[billyskank]

9. We're halfway there anyway

We only semi-metricised ourselves, in a typically half-arsed English way. The result is of course a complete mess.

[Dangerously Amused]

10. You semi-metricised yourself?

Oh dear! Did it hurt?!?

[billyskank]

11. Excruciatingly

[Dangerously Amused]

12. Shall I kiss it and make it better?

[billyskank]

13. Dare I ask

what it is...?

[Kali]

5. I - 19

I - 19 from Tucson to Nogales, AZ is marked in kilometers.

[Dangerously Amused]

7. That's cool.

I'm a math idiot, and even I'm in favor of changing over. It does seem to make more sense, and it definitely would be better for global literacy.

[Kali]

14. It is conversion that scares everybody (even me)

the key is NOT to convert, but to switch. Conversion is slow and confusing. Switching would force adaption and would be fast and relatively painless. Like crossing a border. You figure out liters and kilometers pretty dang fast. Just do it.

[amitten]

3. I'm thirty-something, but yes, I had to do that in school.

I remember in the 6th grade that the U.S. was preparing to possibly switch to metric. We had a handful of special classes teaching us how to use the system.

I just remember thinking it was a hell of a lot more logical than the regular system!

[IndyBob]

6. Anyone who works on cars

hates having two systems. On the Camaro, half is metric, half is standard.

[Oeditpus Rex]

15. What year Camaro?

Only metrics on my El Camino ('65) are on the stereo.

[IndyBob]

18. 1996

A '65? Good shape?

[Oeditpus Rex]

20. It'll do

[Kali]

16. I hate that, and it actually seems like way more than two systems to me.

why does every single fastener in a vehicle need not only a different size tool, but usually a different KIND of tool. Designed by men obviously.

[SPKrazy]

17. No, You Are Correct

I don't remember the details and I'm too damned lazy to look it up

but I do remember we were all going to the metric system

never happened

[HCE SuiGeneris]

19. I went to school in Canada in the 60/70s and never saw it

But I might have had my attention directed elsewhwere...

[u4ic]

21. I don't remember it

We had teachers actually teaching us the metric system. I'm in Canada, though.

edit: I'm 40 as well.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

22. I thought it was

Edmonchuck?

[u4ic]

23. It's that, too!!

edit: what city did you live in?