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skbl17

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    Do you want the United States to use the metric system?

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by skbl17

    Technically, the United States has been using the metric system since 1866, but the reasons for our continued use of non-metric units is complicated.

     

    In 1866, Congress allowed use of the metric system for the first time. The 1893 Mendenhall Order standardized our system of customary units to metric units; the U.S. customary system we use (not the same as Imperial) has been defined in terms of metric units ever since. In fact, we were a signatory to the original Metric Convention of 1875.

     

    Fast forward a century. In 1975, Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act, which provided for the creation of a U.S. Metric Board to support an orderly, voluntary transition of the U.S. to metric. Unfortunately, as the rest of the world made mandatory conversions to metric in the second half of the 20th century, the voluntary nature of our switch led to a general feeling of apathy (and in some cases antipathy) towards a switchover to metric. Bottom line, support for metrication dropped off after the 1970s, and the Metric Board was abolished in 1982.

     

    Of course, not all is bad for metrication supporters. Most science, medicine, and engineering fields use metric extensively or exclusively, and manufacturers have begun listing quantities such as length and volume in both metric and U.S. customary, with some even listing units solely in metric; a 2 liter bottle of Coca-Cola is a prime example of this. Some roads in the U.S. also use metric units alongside customary units, or, in the case of Interstate 19 in southern Arizona, almost exclusively metric1. Most of this was done in preparation for the U.S. Department of Transportation's switchover to metric in the 1990s; legislation prevented that plan from advancing. Also, some legislators believe that now may be the time to move forward on metrication, as a state legislator in Hawaii has introduced legislation that, if passed, would mandate the use of metric units in all Hawaiian public institutions, including public roads, beginning on January 1, 2018.

     

    Now, all that being said, I support a mandatory, but gradual switch of the U.S. to metric, beginning with public institutions. It's easier to use (base ten versus our current system), and it's already used by much of the rest of the world, so trading would be a bit easier. By phasing out all aspects of customary units in public education early, a gradual switch of road signs to metric units, and long-lasting public service announcements detailing the changes, the foundation for a full U.S. adoption of metric would be laid, prompting more private companies and businesses to switch. After about a generation or so, Americans would be able to, in theory, work and live by metric units only. Of course, customary would take a while to die out in this country, and there would be the inevitable private business or noncompliant local or state government that would say no to metrication and engage in a process not too dissimilar to the "massive resistance" policies of the 1950s and 60s.

     

    And no, the NFL wouldn't have too many problems, as 10 m = 10.936 yd. So there's that.  :lol:

     

    1 As the Arizona DOT installs new signs, however, Interstate 19 is gradually being switched to customary. Speed limit signs were already listed in miles per hour.

    • Brohoof 3

    List of your accounts

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by skbl17

    Some of these are under different usernames:

     

    MLP Forums

    Reddit

    Facebook

    Twitter

    Minecraft

    deviantART (deactivated on February 7, 2014)

    Google (Gmail only)

    Microsoft (Outlook/Hotmail only)

    TVNewsTalk.NET

    AmericanWX

    Post your unpopular opinions

    in General Discussion

    Well, these would not fly in the United States at all:

    • Summer vacation is way too long. 2.5 months?! Come on, it should be 3-4 weeks maximum.
    • Mandatory urban growth boundaries. Living in a sunbelt metro area, I've seen the craziness of sprawl firsthand.
    • We should have some form of utility bill surcharge or license fee to fund PBS/NPR; the mechanism would be similar to some public broadcasters in Europe, like the BBC.
    • Taxes should be raised nationwide to fund infrastructure improvements across the country. You know, the works: high speed rail, a national fiber optic network, funds for PBS/NPR (if #2 above doesn't fly,) and....wait for it....a full switch of all road signs and weather forecasts to the metric system!

    This is for the community:

    • Recursive fanfiction. Sure, some fanfics you read can be so good and of such high quality that you want to write a fanfic set in that universe. Now multiply that thought by 800-1,000. It gets very repetitive after a while.
    • Shipping can be unbearable at times. Honestly, the only ships I approve of are those that are canon, not implied ships or fan pairings.
    • Brohoof 2

    2014 Sochi Olympics

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by skbl17

    I watch the opening ceremony and a few events, but I'm not a huge Olympics fan. That being said, I'll never watch NBC's coverage of the Olympics, as it tends to be dreadful and filled with fluff, not to mention that they cut out important parts of the opening ceremonies (the 7/7/2005 tribute during the London 2012 opening ceremony, and the non-discrimination statement from the IOC during the Sochi opening ceremony,) and add in billions of interviews and irrelevant commentary. I could complain about their online streaming system and their heavy editing of events, but that would take a few more pages. I BBC'd the opening ceremony this time around; it was pleasant and amazing to watch!

     

    Bottom line, it's already difficult for me to enjoy the Olympics, what with the events' scheduling, but add on the fact that we have one of the worst Olympic broadcasters in the developed world, and it lessens my enjoyment of the games.

     

    I am looking forward to the Equestrian Games though!  :)

    if a fandom started around another girls toy franchise would you join it?

    in General Discussion

    Well, it depends. MLP is honestly a perfect storm: great characterization and storylines that are enjoyable for both the target demographic and older viewers. Another girl's toy franchise would have to solve the same formula that Lauren Faust, Jayson Thiessen, the DHX team, and Hasbro have successfully solved. If said franchise could balance the "girliness" with strong characterization, captivating storylines, parental bonuses, and a sense of all-ages enjoyment (I don't want the so-bad-I-am-pulling-my-hair-out feeling,) then I'd be willing to give it a try. You know, assuming this hypothetical franchise included a television program like MLP.

     

    Of course, don't expect me to buy merchandise; I don't even do that with MLP.

    over powered OC (Volt)

    in Visual Fan Art

    Amazing drawings!

     

    Honestly, I define OCs as "overpowered" within the context of the work of fiction the OC is a character of. So for the canon FiM universe, yes, your OC would definitely be a little overpowered.

    • Brohoof 1

    Hey everypony!

    in Welcome Plaza

    Hi, skbl17! Welcome to the forums! Hope you'll have a good time here! :)

     

    By the way, what kind of maps do you create?

     

    I like reading maps :)

     

    Thanks!

     

    Usually, I'll draw maps; if I have to create them digitally, I'll use a vectoring program like Inkscape. The maps I draw are mainly fictional, including those I've drawn of Equestria.

    Hey everypony!

    in Welcome Plaza

    My Favourite Mane 6 Pony: Twilight Sparkle

    How did you find MLP Forums?: The all-knowing Google, of course. :)


    How you became a fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: Curiosity drove me to MLP. So much curiosity....

    Hey there everypony! I'm a "closet" brony (since August 2, 2011) who mainly enjoys watching MLP:FiM, drawing, developing websites, reading fanfics, making vectors, and cartography (the creation of maps). I'm not a particularly good writer, roleplayer, or user of Photoshop (although I hope to learn how to use Photoshop in the near future!).

     

    Also, I'm a huge fan of semicolons, the word "Well," and parentheses, so look out!

     

    • Brohoof 1
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