The clock of the Long Now

On a recent trip to the London Science Museum, I made a pilgrimage to view the first prototype of the Clock of the Long Now. It sits in a quiet corner of the first floor hall where other items of the 20th Century gather dust. 

It was strange to see items from my life -- audio cassettes, a Sinclair ZX81, black & white TVs -- arrayed in sections and occasionally ogled at by passers by. 

As our lives accelerate further, how much more work-a-day ephemera will appear as history only after a few years?

Who's life is worth saving?

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | UK prepares for flu pandemic: "The new scheme could include computer staff in a group of 'essential' workers who would have to be treated in order to ensure the economy did not collapse in the event of a pandemic."

The Quality of Life - what is it worth? What does this say about our society and what it values.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | World 'will act on climate gases'

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | World 'will act on climate gases': "Nothing is more difficult than learning to think differently."