The adherence to outdated systems like Fahrenheit over the more logical Celsius reveals a reluctance to challenge the status quo. This aligns with David Hume's idea that society often confuses what 'is' with what 'ought' to be, leading to a moral failing in critical thinking. Rather than examining whether current practices are suitable, there is often an acceptance of tradition, which can stifle progress and rationality.
Why does the U.S. use Fahrenheit when Celsius is better? Would you quit your job if a coin flip told you to? And how do you get an entire country to drive on the other side of the road?
- SOURCES:
- Christian Crandall, professor of psychology at the University of Kansas.
- Stephen Dubner, host of Freakonomics Radio and co-author of the Freakonomics books.
- Scott Eidelman, professor of psychology at the University of Arkansas.
- David Hume, 18th century Scottish philosopher.
- Ellen Langer, professor of psychology at Harvard University.
- Steve Levitt, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Chicago, host of People I (Mostly) Admire, and co-author of the Freakonomics books.
- John McWhorter, professor of linguistics, English, and comparative literature at Columbia University.
- Mark Twain, 19-20th century American writer.
- RESOURCES:
- "What Countries Use the Imperial System?" by William Harris and Sascha Bos (HowStuffWorks, 2023).
- "UK Quietly Drops Brexit Law to Return to Imperial Measurements," by George Parker (Financial Times, 2023).
- "Heads or Tails: The Impact of a Coin Toss on Major Life Decisions and Subsequent Happiness," by Steven D. Levitt (The Review of Economic Studies, 2021).
- "A ‘Thrilling’ Mission to Get the Swedish to Change Overnight," by Maddy Savage (BBC, 2018).
- "Why We Can’t Quit the QWERTY Keyboard," by Rachel Metz (MIT Technology Review, 2018).
- "Why Americans Still Use Fahrenheit Long After Everyone Else Switched to Celsius," by Zack Beauchamp (Vox, 2015).
- "The Intuitive Traditionalist: How Biases for Existence and Longevity Promote the Status Quo," by Scott Eidelman and Christian Crandall (Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 2014).
- "What Scientific Concept Would Improve Everybody's Cognitive Toolkit?" (Edge, 2011).
- "Mars Probe Lost Due to Simple Math Error," by Robert Lee Hotz (Los Angeles Times, 1999).