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Re:Gimli Glider by na85 on Monday December 19, 2016 @07:30AM (#13210977)
By your count, it seems that the metric system (do you call it the French system to devalue it? seems like it) has 3 points: elegant paper sizing, easier to do science, and popularity.

By your count, the "standard" system (how is it standard if it's used almost nowhere?) has 1 point: A foot being 12 inches means it has more divisors than 100 cm to a metre.

So, therefore the final score based on your appraisal is Metric 3, Freedom Units 1.

A clear win for the metric system.

Re:Gimli Glider by espadrine on Monday December 19, 2016 @12:30PM (#13213120)
Where does the term "freedom units" come from?

Historically, it seems baffling. Their real name, "imperial units", are a clue that they're all but rooted in freedom. They're inherited from the country that the US broke free from…

Plus, the Metric system stems from the French Revolution, making it a better contender for the term "freedom units".

Finally, wasn't there a whole PC phase in 2003 where expressions with "French" in it, like "French Fries", were renamed "Freedom Fries"? It all makes things rather confusing.

Re:Gimli Glider by mdekkers on Monday December 19, 2016 @11:12AM (#13212308)
> Freedom Units

Top marks!