Creepy Clock to be Unveiled at Cambridge U. by Stephen Hawking

[El Pinko]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/sep/18/corpus.clock




Beware the time-eater: Cambridge University's monstrous new clock
It's gold, features six patented inventions … and has fangs. Maev Kennedy takes a look at a startling new clock before its official unveiling tomorrow

(VIDEO)

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 tomorrow 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."

Christopher de Hamel, an expert on medieval manuscripts and Fellow Librarian at Corpus Christi, described the clock as "hypnotically beautiful - and deeply disturbing".

Hawking, celebrated as the author of A Brief History of Time, is returning from the launch of the particle accelerator at Cern in Switzerland to unveil Taylor's sinister vision of his subject.

[angstlessk]

1. that was a truly fascinating article..and the clock, I would love to see

a better, longer video..in fact I would like it to be on my computer as a timekeeper!!!

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Video from local TV news here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7625815.stm

[angstlessk]

8. video is not available in my 'teritorry'...oops!

[DS1]

2. That's why I can't be in a room with a clock that ticks

[prayin4rain]

3. Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time ... n/t

[Jeroen]

4. Kicking around on the same old ground n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I love the clock and would have it in my home.

[madrchsod]

6. way to cool.....