The Unexpected Measure that Makes the Modern World Tick (2)
a second is a long and pretty random number.
That's because every method we've used to define a second
has been based on the definition that came before it,
it's something that we made up
because some people a long time ago
divided up the day in this weird way.
We've been stuck with seconds for 700-something years,
and we've just figured out
new and better ways to measure it,
and now we orient our whole lives around this.
From the moment we wake up to when we fall asleep,
everything we do revolves around what time it is,
school, work, meetings, our social lives.
We just take knowing what time it is for granted,
but there's an astonishing amount of technology and science,
and lots of very smart people,
working every second to give us seconds.
Stay curious.
Thank you so much for watching our latest episode
and, while you're here,
I wanna tell you about a show over on PBS Food
called "Serving up Science".
They are back for an all new season.
The PBS family is a big family,
there's so many great shows to check out
and we know you're gonna love this one.
It's hosted by a dear old friend of mine,
Sheril Kirshenbaum.
They're newest episode is all about junk food,
why some of the food that makes us happiest
might not be the best for our biology.
Find the link down in the description
and make sure and tell them
that that "Be Smart" sent you.
Thank you so much for spending some time with us
and watching this video,
now is the time of the video where I remind you
to like and subscribe, hit that little bell button
so you can be notified about our videos
as soon as we upload them,
because that helps new and curious learners
find these videos in the algorythmic soup
that is YouTube.
I also wanna tell you about our Patreon page
where you can get updates on videos we're working on,
your support helps us make videos like this
and visit amazingly cool places
like the clock of all the clocks.
There's info down in the description
where you can learn more,
and we'll see you in the next video.
Does this cost more than a Rolex?
- Yes.
- We're gonna have no excuse for being late anywhere,
ever again for the rest of our life.
Future time travelers, come visit us right now.
(laughs)
