I am amused by the way the author gives such detailed directions for “an enterprising trespasser” to pay an unauthorised visit to the Clock.
It’s also a clever device to make the account of the author’s visit more vivid, because I as the reader imagine making the journey myself.
(But I do think it would be a fun adventure to try to follow the directions.)
CoffeeOnWrite 33 days ago [-]
I actually didn’t realize till reading this article that The Long Now was so closely tied to Singularity theory.
The clock being deep in a cave reminds me of the clockworks in Even Cowgirls Get The Blues. The clockworks are more of an entropy amplifier than what we think of as a timekeeping device, which I guess is the point of the metaphor, in a way. The clockworks embody eastern philosophy and humility and Bezos’ clock embodies manifest destiny and arrogance?
pkkim 33 days ago [-]
You may be interested to know that the author of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues has just recently passed away.
tbolt 33 days ago [-]
Only half way through but damn what a good read.
titanomachy 31 days ago [-]
> the entrepreneur Ping Fu is the only person of color
The content of the article had put me in the mindset of trying to look back on our time from the distant future (or even just a few decades), and in that state of mind this line was jarring. I feel like it won't be long before the phrase "person of color" is about as well-received as "negro" is today.
If I was writing the article to last 100 years, I would have probably written something like "all members are Caucasian, except for the entrepreneur Ping Fu", although who knows how that would actually be received.
m463 33 days ago [-]
I thought it said "Crimes at Midnight"
mrbluecoat 32 days ago [-]
> Once you manage to bypass the gate — which is illegal but not difficult
Yeah, I just finished reading the DOGE teen article; bypassing legal due process seems to be the theme this week...
data_ders 33 days ago [-]
Heavy recommend the biography of Stewart Brand that’s quoted throughout!
thesuperhacker 34 days ago [-]
What is happening at midnight?
robinhouston 34 days ago [-]
The title is referencing a ’60s movie, I think. Nothing particular is happening at midnight, as far as I know.
robterrell 33 days ago [-]
"Chimes at Midnight" is a clever Orson Welles film that combines all of the Falstaff scenes from the various Shakespeare plays that he appears in.
ndesaulniers 33 days ago [-]
Thanks! I just thought it was a song from Atlanta based metal band Mastodon.
jfengel 34 days ago [-]
The movie is based on a Shakespeare play, Henry IV part 1.
All that happens at midnight is that the clock rings, which is pretty late if you're in the 16th century. The scene is two old men reminiscing about their wild youth:
"We have heard the chimes at midnight"
"That we have, that we have, that we have"
zabzonk 33 days ago [-]
Anecdote: In Lincoln UK, the cathedral chimes are not rung after (or immediately before) 11 PM. Mythically, this is because Michael Todd, who played Guy Gibson, the leader of the Dambuster raid in the post-war film, found them too disturbing, at the White Hart hotel, next to the cathedral, when he was filming.
As someone who lives in Lincoln, in the hearing of the bells I quite like it, but I'm not so close that it keeps me awake!
defrost 34 days ago [-]
It'll be Sunday lunch time in New York City @ midnight here.
It’s also a clever device to make the account of the author’s visit more vivid, because I as the reader imagine making the journey myself.
(But I do think it would be a fun adventure to try to follow the directions.)
The clock being deep in a cave reminds me of the clockworks in Even Cowgirls Get The Blues. The clockworks are more of an entropy amplifier than what we think of as a timekeeping device, which I guess is the point of the metaphor, in a way. The clockworks embody eastern philosophy and humility and Bezos’ clock embodies manifest destiny and arrogance?
The content of the article had put me in the mindset of trying to look back on our time from the distant future (or even just a few decades), and in that state of mind this line was jarring. I feel like it won't be long before the phrase "person of color" is about as well-received as "negro" is today.
If I was writing the article to last 100 years, I would have probably written something like "all members are Caucasian, except for the entrepreneur Ping Fu", although who knows how that would actually be received.
Yeah, I just finished reading the DOGE teen article; bypassing legal due process seems to be the theme this week...
All that happens at midnight is that the clock rings, which is pretty late if you're in the 16th century. The scene is two old men reminiscing about their wild youth:
"We have heard the chimes at midnight"
"That we have, that we have, that we have"
As someone who lives in Lincoln, in the hearing of the bells I quite like it, but I'm not so close that it keeps me awake!