3 ms·

Optimistically assume we as a species manage to survive to the point where distance, or relativistic speed differences, cause sufficiently frequent change in th

Optimistically assume we as a species manage to survive to the point where distance, or relativistic speed differences, cause sufficiently frequent change in the observation of time passing that a single number, of any size, is no longer sufficient. time_t is sufficient within bounds. It is expedient and quite correct in many computer science use cases. It can be extended with small additions for many other use cases. However those bounds are a set of assumptions and simplifications that shouldn't be forgotten. I agree that the problem would be solved until the next paradigm shift in our understanding of time and the universe, and maybe forever if it turns out that the rules are cruel or we're too stupid to reach a more complex situation. I just wouldn't say once and for all, there's far too much uncertainty there.

lpghatguy 5y ago
2^64 seconds is 584.9 billion years. I think it's pretty safe to kick the can nearly 600 billion years down the road.
- drran 5y ago
  2^63 is just 292 billion years. Beware.
  - mlyle 5y ago
    ~1/4th to 1/40th the length of time where star formation will still be possible. Woefully insufficient.
- masklinn 5y ago
  It's signed so only 2^63-1s, or 292 billion years. 'bout the same as tomorrow really, better do nothing, for in the end all is dust.
  - jandrese 5y ago
    In retrospect we should have made it unsigned, but set the epoch at the Big Bang.
- mjevans 5y ago
  Ruler of great size, less useful when measured aspects are a pile of disconnected threads rather than a canvas that is mostly shared and mostly distorted the same way.
tzs 5y ago
Distance won't be a problem. 2^64 seconds takes us past the point where the expansion of the universe is such that anything you are not gravitationally bound to is outside your cosmological horizon. You'll be in a much bigger universe, but it will be empty except for your local galaxy group.

lpghatguy 5y ago

2^64 seconds is 584.9 billion years. I think it's pretty safe to kick the can nearly 600 billion years down the road.

drran 5y ago
2^63 is just 292 billion years. Beware.
- mlyle 5y ago
  ~1/4th to 1/40th the length of time where star formation will still be possible. Woefully insufficient.
masklinn 5y ago
It's signed so only 2^63-1s, or 292 billion years. 'bout the same as tomorrow really, better do nothing, for in the end all is dust.
- jandrese 5y ago
  In retrospect we should have made it unsigned, but set the epoch at the Big Bang.
mjevans 5y ago
Ruler of great size, less useful when measured aspects are a pile of disconnected threads rather than a canvas that is mostly shared and mostly distorted the same way.

tzs 5y ago

Distance won't be a problem. 2^64 seconds takes us past the point where the expansion of the universe is such that anything you are not gravitationally bound to is outside your cosmological horizon. You'll be in a much bigger universe, but it will be empty except for your local galaxy group.