Is the Union Square Clock Trying To Tell Us Something?

Photo by Wally G

The crazy steam-spewing Union Square "Metronome" clock is off by 52 minutes! Does anyone even know how to read this thing? One blogger explains just how to decipher it:

The 15 numbers of the digital clock display time going and coming relative to midnight. Read time going left to right and time coming in the opposite direction. So, if the clock reads 180746***135205 it means that it is 6:07 P.M. (18 hours/07 minutes/46 seconds since midnight) and that there are 5 hours/52 minutes/13 seconds remaining until midnight. The three numbers in between are a blur of moving numbers. It is like a digital hourglass.

Let that absorb. Now, she notes that the clock "was 52 minutes early yesterday" and wonders where those lost 8 minutes went to. Is it the end of the world as we know it? Someone call John Locke.

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on November 5, 2009 1:15 PM

Comments [rss]

savetheclocktower

The time has been off by 53 minutes for months now!! Has no city employee noticed yet and had the impulse and goodwill to set it straight? ? I tried calling 311 to get it fixed but they said it's not their jurisdiction. Who here knows a good city clock setter, or someone who works in the attic of Best Buy who can do it themselves?

brookgylr

that thing is an eyesore. I like art, but this is bad art.

diablofreak

anyone with half a brain -- chimpanzees included -- can decipher this thing within 30 seconds.

I just can't believe how stupid the average person is.

Jen S

This was an extremely helpful post.

yincrash

the blogger is a she

doanie.wordpress.com

It means that I, the blogger referenced as a 'he', am actually a she!

ladyjane

what is that supposed to mean...

zodak

i can't believe how many idiots couldn't figure out it was a clock. pathetic.

JenChungsBaby

So that picture was taken at 1:18:23 PM, when there were 10 hours, 41 minutes and 36.whatever seconds left until midnight? Learn something new every day.