5 ms·

Retuning to solar time is the solution. The railroads don’t need four fixed time zones for the entire country anymore.

by 7e 3y ago

sokoloff 3y ago
“I’ll call you at noon tomorrow. In order for me to do that, please tell me your expected GPS coordinates.”
- pests 3y ago
  That's how it already works though, just less granular.
- Verdex 3y ago
  I mean, that would be a problem in a world where the phone is physically stationary in a far corner of a house hooked to the wall with a wire. And where I would need to schedule time to sit near the phone so that I don't miss the expected call. However today, I can text ahead of time to see if it's a good time to call. Or check the shared calendar. Or (if we're sharing phone GPS data) I can find out near real time GPS data and approximate speed. Actually it wouldn't be out of the question for someone to make a product such that I verbally ask my phone to setup a noonish phone call with someone where our individual AI assistants figure out when that needs to happen based on our schedules and locations. And which can dynamically reschedule as real time events happen.
- thsksbd 3y ago
  Ill call you at 16:00 gmt.
  - c0pium 3y ago
    Because the earth’s rotation is not actually consistent, GMT can be up to 16 minutes before or after the time when the sun crosses the meridian.
    - deathanatos 3y ago
      In regards to this aspect of timekeeping, AIUI the earth's rotation is nearly constant. The 16 minute difference is caused primarily by our orbit not being circular. (And to a degree, according to Wikipedia[1], the axial tilt.) [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_time
    - thsksbd 3y ago
      The point is to use local time for local things (store opening hours, school etc) and gmt for everything else.
- 7e 3y ago
  “Siri, find and propose a time to meet with John, and automatically update my working hours as I change time zones.” Done.
  - autoexec 3y ago
    Any solution that involves everyone being required to bug their homes with an internet connected device or carrying a mobile is a terrible solution. Not everyone has or wants that type of device, and many don't even internet access.
    - 7e 3y ago
      A computer is only required for calculating the time in another state or zone. It doesn’t need to be connected to the Internet. But, if you want to call someone in another state, you already have a computing device handy. Even TVs carry powerful computers these days. Worst case, you have to consult a table. I know you think this is a conspiracy to “bug” someone’s home by infecting it with the Internet. My wish for you is for a time machine to transport you to the century in which you belong.
      - ianburrell 3y ago
        With solar time, computer is required to calculate times for everyone. Roughly 20 mi east/west is 1 min in time. It means that people in the same metro area can have different local times. This isn't a problem for spontaneous phone calls but is a big problem for meetings. My team works from home but is mostly in same metro area. One person is 10:01 in their time, another is 9:59 in their time. The time depends on who makes the meeting. What time do you use when go in to the office?
- chriscjcj 3y ago
  Not to be a one-upper but can I call you at around @875 (Swatch Internet Time, AKA .beat time) ?
willis936 3y ago
Clocks are clocks, let's not try to pretend they're calendars.
bscphil 3y ago
Solar time is vastly less useful than just getting rid of time zones altogether in favor of Universal Time. If you're going to consider drastic measures, might as well just do that. Trying to plan a meeting? "Is 12:30 okay?" "I won't be up until 2." "How's 3:30 then?" Zero thinking about local / solar time or time zone math required. Need to call someone without a pre-arranged time? "Hey Siri, is the sun up right now in Sydney, Australia?" Problem solved. (Yes I know about the article that claims this would be bad, and I disagree with it.)
- toss1 3y ago
  Agree, I should have put that in the range of possible solutions. That said, while people who understand geometry, geology, and science & math in general will find it best, the majority who do not would likely object...

Retuning to solar time is the solution. The railroads don’t need four fixed time zones for the entire country anymore.

by 7e 3y ago

Retuning to solar time is the solution. The railroads don’t need four fixed time zones for the entire country anymore.

sokoloff 3y ago

“I’ll call you at noon tomorrow. In order for me to do that, please tell me your expected GPS coordinates.”

pests 3y ago
That's how it already works though, just less granular.
Verdex 3y ago
I mean, that would be a problem in a world where the phone is physically stationary in a far corner of a house hooked to the wall with a wire. And where I would need to schedule time to sit near the phone so that I don't miss the expected call. However today, I can text ahead of time to see if it's a good time to call. Or check the shared calendar. Or (if we're sharing phone GPS data) I can find out near real time GPS data and approximate speed. Actually it wouldn't be out of the question for someone to make a product such that I verbally ask my phone to setup a noonish phone call with someone where our individual AI assistants figure out when that needs to happen based on our schedules and locations. And which can dynamically reschedule as real time events happen.
thsksbd 3y ago
Ill call you at 16:00 gmt.
- c0pium 3y ago
  Because the earth’s rotation is not actually consistent, GMT can be up to 16 minutes before or after the time when the sun crosses the meridian.
  - deathanatos 3y ago
    In regards to this aspect of timekeeping, AIUI the earth's rotation is nearly constant. The 16 minute difference is caused primarily by our orbit not being circular. (And to a degree, according to Wikipedia[1], the axial tilt.) [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_time
  - thsksbd 3y ago
    The point is to use local time for local things (store opening hours, school etc) and gmt for everything else.
7e 3y ago
“Siri, find and propose a time to meet with John, and automatically update my working hours as I change time zones.” Done.
- autoexec 3y ago
  Any solution that involves everyone being required to bug their homes with an internet connected device or carrying a mobile is a terrible solution. Not everyone has or wants that type of device, and many don't even internet access.
  - 7e 3y ago
    A computer is only required for calculating the time in another state or zone. It doesn’t need to be connected to the Internet. But, if you want to call someone in another state, you already have a computing device handy. Even TVs carry powerful computers these days. Worst case, you have to consult a table. I know you think this is a conspiracy to “bug” someone’s home by infecting it with the Internet. My wish for you is for a time machine to transport you to the century in which you belong.
    - ianburrell 3y ago
      With solar time, computer is required to calculate times for everyone. Roughly 20 mi east/west is 1 min in time. It means that people in the same metro area can have different local times. This isn't a problem for spontaneous phone calls but is a big problem for meetings. My team works from home but is mostly in same metro area. One person is 10:01 in their time, another is 9:59 in their time. The time depends on who makes the meeting. What time do you use when go in to the office?
chriscjcj 3y ago
Not to be a one-upper but can I call you at around @875 (Swatch Internet Time, AKA .beat time) ?

willis936 3y ago

Clocks are clocks, let's not try to pretend they're calendars.

bscphil 3y ago

Solar time is vastly less useful than just getting rid of time zones altogether in favor of Universal Time. If you're going to consider drastic measures, might as well just do that. Trying to plan a meeting? "Is 12:30 okay?" "I won't be up until 2." "How's 3:30 then?" Zero thinking about local / solar time or time zone math required. Need to call someone without a pre-arranged time? "Hey Siri, is the sun up right now in Sydney, Australia?" Problem solved. (Yes I know about the article that claims this would be bad, and I disagree with it.)

toss1 3y ago
Agree, I should have put that in the range of possible solutions. That said, while people who understand geometry, geology, and science & math in general will find it best, the majority who do not would likely object...