THE METRIC SYSTEM IN CANADA TOTAL BULLSHIT!

This situation is so painful that its difficult to know where to start. So lets start with the facts. That's what this website is all about!

The two main systems of measurement in the world are the metric system and the imperial system. Canada was on the Imperial system i.e. feet, miles, pounds, acres, etc. and in 1971 it was decided to change over to the metric system based on base ten measurements.

The metric commission was started by PM Trudeau in 1971 but then abolished by PM Mulroney in 1984. Canada was left with only a partially implemented system which some refer to as a "soft" metric system and we continue to use a confusing combination of metric and imperial measures. The problem of course is that there is nothing wrong with the Imperial system or the Metric system but there is a problem when you try to have two systems in operation at the same time. You loose your ability to think with numbers. And you begin to place very subjective values on things rather than precise descriptions. In non technical talk -"things get screwed up".

In the "old days" you might say " It was 95 degrees today"  Now we tend to say "it was really hot". In the old days you might say your girlfriend was 38-24-36 and today you might say she was "stacked" or "big" In the old days your lot size was 60X 120 feet now you have no idea how big it is in meters. In the old days you would drink a 12 oz bottle of beer and today you don't know or care how many cc's there is in it. You could buy a ten pound bag of spuds but now who knows how many Kg that is? (Actually I know it's 4.54 kg which is a stupid number) Not to put too fine a point on it things have changed and not for the better. 

Mechanics often need two sets of tools -SAE and Metric to do auto repairs. Costs are doubled and efficiency is reduced and errors are made. Two complete sets of fasteners are required. And nobody is taking any steps to fix the situation so the problems are perpetuating within Canadian society. 

 

We now have butter being sold in 454 g sizes instead of 500 g sizes because 454 grams is the old sized pound. Its seems few people in the country have an awareness of the mileage their vehicles are getting. They also have no idea what standard barometric pressure is or what a wind in kms means. Here we have imperial on the left and metric on the right.

 

By not having a coherent measuring system the population has effectively been stripped of its ability to do basic math and think. New folks trained in metric don't understand old folks stuck in Imperial.  The fix is exceedingly simple. Go metric all the way or get rid of it and use the Imperial or US system of measurements. The bullshit artists have something to gain by keeping the situation just where it is. Yes and I would like 100gms of salami cut in 3 inch diameter slices about 1/32" thick please. And how much is that per pound, in US dollars? Now at this point there will be still some of you who actually doubt my words -as surprising as it sounds. Doubting the words of a retired person with type 2 diabetes and ED. You need to trust somebody -it may as well be me!

Ok. Take your car down to the USA for a vacation. Fill up with gas when you have a quarter tank left. Now -in your head-using no calculators, paper or pencils- compare the price of fuel in the USA to the price of fuel at the last Canadian gas station you filled up at. And give me the mileage you are getting with your vehicle. If you can do that then I take everything back and admit that I was wrong. Not likely! Nobody likes to admit stupidity and we aren't stupid but because we don't have a uniform measuring system in Canada we seem unable to do even basic math operations that a slow grade fiver could do on a bad day. We explain how to do this on our Gas page.

The situation is such a mess right now that nobody wants to touch it and fix it and the general public doesn't even comprehend that there is a problem but they have lost the ability to do simple math calculations to understand reality of life around them. In the old days a lot of people-especially sailors- knew what standard barometric pressure was. Today thanks to the metric system its defined as being equal to 101.325 kPa. We once knew it as 29.92 in Hg.a much easier figure to remember. Does anyone even know what 101.325 kPa means???

Pascals are a derived unit in the metric system representing newtons per square meter. One pascal is about 1% of standard barometric pressure.  I have attended University for six years and I still don't have a good feel for the metric system as it is used in Canada. Ask a Canadian what sort of mileage they got in the last week. They don't know. Ask them how many miles they put on their car last month. No idea. Ask them just about anything relating to numbers and the measuring system we have here and they will look at you with blank faces. Its all bullshit. Here we are on a planet in the solar system absolutely surrounded by mathematical relationships and we seem unable to even understand the very basics despite billions being spent on education in Canada.

Knock knock anybody home? Apparently not. There has never been ANY testing in Canada to verify that the metric system is working. None. We have spent billions sort of half converting and nobody ever thought to test and see if the citizens were actually finding the system useful or workable. I bet you a donut and coffee at Tim Horton's that if a standardized test was given to a sample set of Canadians testing their ability to understand basic measures in their world that they would FAIL. 

Some of you will read all this and conclude that retired Ron does not like the metric system. Wrong. There is nothing wrong with it and in fact its a pretty logical system formed on base 10. Its reasonably easy to work with and in fact is easier than the imperial system. My problem is simply that we have kept TWO systems and end up loosing the efficiency of base 10 measures when we deal with such silly amounts as butter in 454 gram packages. 

 

The solution is pretty darn simple. Finish implementing the metric system and stop using the other one OR drop the metric system and revert to the Imperial or American system. This won't happen. Because in Canada we don't like solving problems -we just adapt to them. It is interesting to see what our cousins in the USA did. They tried out Metric and decided that the costs of conversion exceed the benefits and decided to dump the idea and stay with their existing system. Those Americans -always one step ahead of us!

If you thought you were stupid or slow because the metric system and the imperial system mixed together confused you then relax. Its not you or me or the other millions of Canadians that are at fault. Its the people responsible for regulating our measuring system in Canada - the Federal Government. Both the big parties the Liberals who brought Metric in and the Conservatives who cancelled the Metric Commission have positions to guard and nobody wants to take responsibility for the mess or for cleaning up the mess. So the mess continues on generation by generation costing us countless billions in lost productivity and additional costs. The objective of this website is to uncover bullshit. I can suggest a solution but I cannot implement it. Either can you. But we can apply some pressure. 

Refer this to your MP and if enough people whine perhaps something will be fixed here!  Cheers! We need somebody in Parliament who will champion this issue and get it fixed. We have some very good people there so perhaps it will happen!

So, just to stir things up in the next election we fired up the Marcie Party which has as one of it's platform points the elimination of the metric system in Canada. 

 

TAKE ME BACK TO THE INDEX PLEASE!

 

 

Visit our other WEBSITES

 

NorthTreasure.com -our unique collectable website with one of a kind items! Cool site and we designed it ourselves. You will find things here that you never thought existed. Things that you never knew you wanted. Items that nobody else has. Stuff that you can't live without. All reasonably priced too! 

 

JewelryShackInc.com -thousands of well priced jewellery items. For once in your life buy before that special occasion so you get the best price and are ready for it. You will be repaid. And you will not be forgiven if you forget. Bracelets, rings, pendants, children's, men's and women's jewellery right to your door no driving around town required no huge gas bills just shiny nice stuff that will make you and your spousal unit very happy And you know what happens when the spousal unit is happy! Happy wife happy life. 

 

Canadian Winter Driver's Handbook -The best book published on winter driving in Canada. Shows how a Father and Son team drove a $300 17 year old mini van across Canada in the depths of winter in only 78 hours 53 minutes. Everything you need to know about winter driving and how to do it on a budget too! Clear instructions on how to handle skids, ice, snow, and first hand experience on what to do when you hit a deer.  This book could save your life or prevent a serious injury and will make your summer and winter road trips a lot more fun. Print or instant download.  BattistonPublishing.com (if ordering the print version the economy shipping option is by far the best deal)

 

BattistonPublishing.com -our Publishing Company- we enlighten and entertain. We published "the best book every written on Business in Canada" YOUR VERY FIRST BILLION  420 pages by popular and world famous Author Miss Marcie M. Farsea. Entertaining and very readable it tells you facts about business that you will not find in any other source and it also applies to business everywhere. Makes a great gift for yourself or anyone else interested in business from students to  startups to major corporations. 

We live in very challenging times and this truly unique approach to business shows how in real terms one can be successful. For example, there are reasons why a hard working ma and pa operation will always stay small and why it is just as hard to make a billion as is to make a million or even a hundred thousand. You have the same number of hours in the day but you need to do different things.  We designed the book to be fun to read and trust us when you start reading it in a group at an airport, on the commuter train, in the Boardroom or even on a park bench people will take note. An excellent motivation for your managers and directors when everyone is getting discouraged. Your Very first Billion gives us all something to shoot for. It raises the bar and shows you how to join that rather exclusive club which presently has over 1100 Billionaires -46 of whom are resident in Canada and listed for you. This book will very likely be your best investment this year!

BigCanuck.com Web Hosting -the Host with the Most. We started this company up because we were paying a lot of money for hosting our three dozen websites. This is good for you because we wouldn't use this service unless it worked well. We have spaces for approximately 200 more websites and after that I think we will cap it. We use a very well established supplier with a huge 24 hour data center and we can offer full website hosting for an amazing $5 and up per month -no long term contracts either. I think that the smaller and medium sized website owners would be particularly interested in this service. High volume websites would probably be happier with dedicated servers. We don't host scammer sites -the basic rule is be honest or find another host. 

SuperiorWebs.com -high end snooty web design-hold onto your wallets but we have links to quite affordable alternatives too! I hesitate to use the word "cheap" but the fact is our custom build rates are so freaking high that we had to do something to help with the sticker shock. We can now offer automated  template built websites that will get you up and running with minimum fuss and time for a less than $50. You can find those on our subsidiary website elitewebsitelayouts.com When you strike it rich and can afford more we will be lurking in the weeds waiting for you!

ThanksForExplainingThat.com -our very unique professional research company where we explain anything to you for a fee. The solution to free web search engines which give you inaccurate, out of date voluminous information which although free often does not explain what you need to know.  

YourTimeHere.info Discount name brand watches -why pay more? Why run all over town wasting gas when you can order here and get what you want at the price you want. Its a no brainer (to visit the site!) Your local retailer can afford to stock a couple of dozen watches we have a few thousand. Hello! 

 Attorney-guide.info -our excellent guide to lawyers-your best friend when you need one! Your worst enemy when somebody else has one against you. Good information on how to pick one with excellent links! Are you in trouble? Will you be in trouble? Got a spouse you would like to dump? Have an accident and have the insurance company offer you a hundred bucks to settle. You need "your people" working for you.

Velvet Deer Antler We try our best to have a selection of very interesting products for you and here is a good example! Some may ask why on earth would I want to ingest powdered deer antler from New Zealand? Why indeed and you can find out here!

PervertGallery.com  Adults only. This is a very hot porn site with tons of free stuff and even a store where you can buy adult toys. We bought this site out of curiosity and it sure has been interesting and entertaining too. This is not just any porn it's the high quality adult entertainment type. Great deals here and you won't get ripped off. Our affiliates are the best in the business. Check it out!

GENERALDUCK.COM our massive army surplus site that changes minute by minute with jeeps, humvees, army gear, military collectables and interesting stuff available now at a fraction of what the govt paid for it! There is some nice stuff here! You can have a lot of fun just looking at it but even more fun playing with it.  And remember military stuff is built to last not like the cheap junk you buy at wal-mart from China. (Note this website is for sale) 

 

ParisThingsToDo.co.uk   Paris is one of the greatest cities on the Planet. Everyone should go there at least once in their lives. Lots of useful information on what to do and where to stay. Start your research today! Art treasures expand your mind and the food is fabulous even from the street vendors. You can enjoy yourself just sitting back and sipping a coffee as the world walks by. A fresh croissant and coffee is hard to beat with fresh jam, butter and a whole day ahead of you to explore and enjoy. 

AlienUFO.Info Some people believe in them some don't. Are we being watched? Now?? Are we the only life forms in the entire Universe? Like that would happen eh? Another one of our fun sites to enlighten and entertain! You need to take a break from the serious stuff every once in a while and here is your chance. 

GreatCanadianStamps.com I have enjoyed collecting stamps for many years. So it seemed natural to start a stamp business as the first rule of business is to do something you enjoy. We offer good sized lots of quality Canadian stamps so that you save money on shipping and receive a better value. We also include links to some of the largest suppliers of Canadian stamps and online auctions happening now were you set the price. What a great way of investing some time and energy. Your collection will grow and traditionally stamp values have increased over time. Stamps make great gifts and are wonderful legacies for the next generation. They don't take up much room and you can collect a few or a lot. Stamp collecting is a very enjoyable hobby for young and old alike. (Note this website is for sale)

Addiction-Tips.com  After completing our pages on alcoholism, drug use and obesity  we were very interested in helping out people with addiction problems be it drugs, alcohol, shopping, food, gambling, sex or even internet addiction. So we purchased an entire website with great information and links to provide you with greater detail than we can provide here. Good Luck! You can do it! I did it with food and alcohol and if I can you can too! (Note this website is for sale) 

YourPhoneNow.info We got so ticked off with cell phones that we bought a cell phone website that offers great prices and deals. Shop around and save some money. Or go to the mall and get ripped off by a merchant who must cover his outrageous mall square footage rental rates. This is an industry where everyone seems to be screwing the customer. Not us. Ha! We provide a website where the suppliers really need to work for your business. Check them out!

JogaDogDay.com! Do you love dogs? So do we so we bought a dog website with free information and tons of stuff for dogs at great prices. Fido will love you for it and possibly not pee on your rug or chew on your new cell phone. Your doggie may save your life some day so its wise to treat the beast well. They are always glad to see you when nobody else is. Now why is that? Don't waste gas running all over town - all the doggie stuff you will ever need is here. Just add a dog -hold the fleas. (we have stuff for that!)

EliteWebSearch.com We decided to give google and yahoo a run for their money. Why not. I didn't get to where I am today by not trying new things. You will be absolutely surprised at how well this search engine works. It's much better than you know who...

 

ForexAdvice101.info Currencies are bouncing around like a yo yo these days and people are making a fist full of money off them. Here we show you the basics. The banks do it every day. You can do it too with just a couple of hundred dollars. We purchased this website to even the score and help the little guy out. And to save the planet. 

SelfDebtHelp.info  Are you totally screwed with so much debt that there is no way you will ever get out of it. Did the nice banks give you so much credit that now they get all your pay check? Did the credit card companies give you a low intro rate and then boost your rate when you missed a payment? Sound familiar? So we purchased this website to help you become financially happy again. It could happen! It sure won't happen if you do nothing...All problems are really opportunities just waiting for your solution and we give you several.

EarthSolarDesign.com check out our new site on solar power. We intend to help save the planet and found out a way of doing it cheap. Not only will you save money you could very well make money. How cool would that be! We even have plans to build a wind turbine and solar panel for under $200 that could get you off the grid! You need to ask yourself "Why am I waiting?" Reduce your monthly power bill right now! (Note this website is for sale)

Your Very First Billion How would you like to make a billion dollars? The facts are that you won't need to work any harder than making a million or a hundred thousand dollars. It's much easier than you might think. We show you the basics of business and what works and what doesn't . All in a reader friendly 420 page book we published in 2008. This is the most unique book ever published on business in Canada and applies just as well to anywhere else. 

CanadaGooseTravel.com  A Canada Goose is a big smart bird.  They are smart enough to fly south for the winter rather than freeze in the snow with the rest of us. They do it without maps or a GPS and they don't get lost.  We thought like a goose when we built this honking good site. The main idea is to save you money and help you have more fun when you travel. How smart is that! Check it out and start packing! (Note this website is for sale)

 

 

back to the main index please!