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Connonym Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 12:02 PM
Original message
Hey 40-somethings
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?
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some guy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 12:04 PM
Response to Original message
1. You must be on crack
...because I don't remember this. :P

Or maybe it was a regional thing, or something that started after I was out of grammar school. :shrug:
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Dangerously Amused Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 01:59 PM
Response to Original message
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.


:eyes:


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billyskank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 02:14 PM
Response to Reply #2
4. Well you know these things take time
:P
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Dangerously Amused Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:19 PM
Response to Reply #4
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.



:P


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billyskank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:23 PM
Response to Reply #8
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. :D
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Dangerously Amused Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:25 PM
Response to Reply #9
10. You semi-metricised yourself?




Oh dear! Did it hurt?!?


:o



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billyskank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:26 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. Excruciatingly
:eyes:
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Dangerously Amused Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:38 PM
Response to Reply #11
12. Shall I kiss it and make it better?



:*





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billyskank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:42 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. Dare I ask




what it is...? :evilgrin:

:*



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Kali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:00 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. I - 19
I - 19 from Tucson to Nogales, AZ is marked in kilometers.
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Dangerously Amused Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:15 PM
Response to Reply #5
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.


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Kali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 04:14 PM
Response to Reply #7
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.
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amitten Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 02:08 PM
Response to Original message
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!
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IndyBob Donating Member (216 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 03:05 PM
Response to Original message
6. Anyone who works on cars
hates having two systems. On the Camaro, half is metric, half is standard.
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Oeditpus Rex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 04:15 PM
Response to Reply #6
15. What year Camaro?
Only metrics on my El Camino ('65) are on the stereo.

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IndyBob Donating Member (216 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 11:46 PM
Response to Reply #15
18. 1996
A '65? Good shape?
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Oeditpus Rex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 11:55 PM
Response to Reply #18
20. It'll do
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Kali Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 04:15 PM
Response to Reply #6
16. I hate that, and it actually seems like way more than two systems to me.
Edited on Sun Dec-10-06 04:17 PM by Kali
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.
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SPKrazy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 04:16 PM
Response to Original message
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

:shrug:
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HCE SuiGeneris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 11:49 PM
Response to Original message
19. I went to school in Canada in the 60/70s and never saw it
Edited on Sun Dec-10-06 11:50 PM by BushDespiser12
But I might have had my attention directed elsewhwere... :smoke:
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u4ic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Dec-10-06 11:59 PM
Response to Original message
21. I don't remember it
Edited on Mon Dec-11-06 12:00 AM by u4ic
We had teachers actually teaching us the metric system. I'm in Canada, though. :hi:

edit: I'm 40 as well.
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HCE SuiGeneris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-11-06 12:14 AM
Response to Reply #21
22. I thought it was
Edmonchuck? :shrug:

:rofl:
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u4ic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-11-06 12:18 AM
Response to Reply #22
23. It's that, too!!
Edited on Mon Dec-11-06 12:19 AM by u4ic
:D :hi:

edit: what city did you live in?
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