09/19/2008
Stephen Hawking to Unveil Terrifying Reminder of Impending Death
The Times writes of the Corsum Clock, set to be unveiled in Britain today:
"The hour approaches. The beast's jaws gape, its tail quivers and then snap! Another minute has been devoured, and the hour strikes with the ominous clonk of a chain dropping into a coffin. The creature blinks twice in satisfaction. 'It is terrifying, it is meant to be,' said John Taylor, the creator and funder of an extraordinary new clock to be unveiled...by Stephen Hawking at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge. 'Basically I view time as not on your side. He'll eat up every minute of your life, and as soon as one has gone he's salivating for the next. It's not a bad thing to remind students of. I never felt like this until I woke up on my 70th birthday, and was stricken at the thought of how much I still wanted to do, and how little time remained.'"
Watch Taylor explain the clock, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 12:30 PM EST by Andy Towle in News, Science | Permalink
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They should name it PALIN.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Sep 19, 2008 12:45:30 PM
It looks like the Jabberwocky from Alice in Wonderland.
Posted by: Al | Sep 19, 2008 1:19:28 PM
More eccentric than scary.
Posted by: anon | Sep 19, 2008 2:08:10 PM
The web is my Chronophage, unfortunately. Here, have another morning, oblivion!
Posted by: Distingué Traces | Sep 19, 2008 2:20:27 PM
"Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
- Psalm 90:12 (aka "the prayer of Moses")
Posted by: RedCedar | Sep 19, 2008 9:24:44 PM
Being in my 60th year and without any accomplishments, or impediments, such Dr. Hawking, but still a human being, I am well aware that time is not on my side. Or is it? This human animal was not evolved to live forever. Outside of our apparent paradigm, who knows?
For one thing, however, I did not design this awful "clock" (see the BBC article.) The Brits are totally wacko - except for their excellent folk music, and chocolate digestive biscuits. Think about the Anglican "furor" over gay clergy. Ha ha, you have to be gay to BE Anglican or Episcopalian - in my experience.
For another thing, at least I have brought love to my family, and love, plus some hot sex and companionship to my partner.
Cheerio.
Posted by: dave | Sep 20, 2008 7:26:25 AM
"Aren't you beginning to feel Time gaining on you? It's like a predator that's stalking you. Oh, you can try to outrun it with new technologies or medicines, but in the end, Time is going to hunt you down, and make the kill."--Dr. Tolian Soran, to Captain Picard, in "Star Trek: Generations".
Couldn't have put it more plainly myself...
Posted by: Nathan James | Sep 20, 2008 11:01:56 AM
Helen Forrest said it years ago and said it best
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvW6Sdl6rZ4 Sigh!
Posted by: Robert | Sep 20, 2008 3:11:56 PM