Inconvenient for computing and manipulating data, for sure, but not absurd. It matches nicely with what is a common pattern of speech in American English when talking about dates. We more often say, "March sixteenth, [2016]" instead of "The sixteenth of March, [2016]."
Besides, neither US nor Europe have it right. YYYY-MM-DD is the way to go.
Besides, neither US nor Europe have it right. YYYY-MM-DD is the way to go.