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Someday aliens will land and all will be fine until we explain our calendar (twitter.com)

1514 points by thunderbong · 1445 days ago · 989 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses the complexities of the human calendar system and how it might be perceived by aliens. The discussion revolves around the historical development of the calendar, its inconsistencies, and the various ways different cultures keep track of time. The article's content is not available, but the comments suggest it highlights the quirks of the calendar system. The conversation explores the challenges of explaining the calendar to extraterrestrials.

Main themes

  • Calendar complexity
  • Time-keeping systems
  • Cultural diversity
  • Historical development
  • Leap years and seconds
  • Intercultural communication

What commenters say

  • The calendar system is a product of continuous development and backwards compatibility over thousands of years, resulting in its complexities.
  • The assumption that everyone uses the same calendar is incorrect, as different cultures and countries have their own systems.
  • The use of the 12-hour and 24-hour clock systems varies across the world, with some countries using both depending on the context.
  • The historical development of the calendar, including the introduction of the Julian and Gregorian calendars, has led to its current state.
  • The idea that the calendar system is simple or universal is misguided, and it may be just as likely that aliens would have an even more complex system.
  • The use of leap years and leap seconds adds to the complexity of the calendar system.
  • Different cultures have unique ways of dividing the day, such as the Punjabi system of dividing the day into 8 parts.
  • The discussion of the calendar system highlights the importance of considering the diversity of human cultures and time-keeping practices.