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this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2023
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Showerthoughts
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You do realize that the US tried to switch to metric for 6 months in the 70s and it was a giant failure so we switched back, yes? Do you think 2023 America is smarter than 1970s America lol?
Edit: not sure why downvotes. I am in favor of switching US to metric. But historically it didn’t work.
You do realize asshole Republicans reverted before it could be more than implemented on a couple of highways
“Metric supporters argued the road signs were a crucial step in helping Americans get over any psychological blocks to switching measurement systems. But Republican Charles Grassley, then a congressman and now a senator from Iowa, killed proposed federal regulations that would have forced states to put up signs in kilometers.”
They literally locked putting up signs in both metric an Imperial
Also.. remember my comment about old fucks raised on gas lead fumes…. Yea, the 70s…..
Given that the 70's was 50 years ago, most people don't know the details of what happened. Other than a metric conversion was attempted.
It's both surprising and not that it was killed by republicans. And given the current nationalist furor in the party, it doesn't have a snow ball's chance in hell of happening in the next decade. If it was proposed, again.
I mean, I'd be very worried if 2023 wasn't smarter than 1970 no matter the location. Between the lead poisoning and the advancements in knowledge and education methods...
Well not entirely. 2L coke bottles emerged around that time and they're still around!