Comment on If civilization continues to the year 9999, is the idea to go to year 10.000, or...?
Eufalconimorph@discuss.tchncs.de 1 year ago
Astronomers already use Julian Dates for various reasons. Right now it’s 2460261.2834606, it’ll be later by the time you read this. Julian dates/times are fractional days starting from January 1st, 4713 = 0. Just keep counting up from there.
hansl@lemmy.world 1 year ago
So I got confused and had to read Wikipedia for this. Day 0 is Jan 1, 4713 BC. I feel this causes more confusion if it isn’t mentioned.
Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
How are you still not confused??
So I just read through the same wiki and there is absolutely no explanation of why they start at 4713 BC. It’s just bizarrely stated as fact with no explanation. It would be like if invented a card game called Percluey where you had to count to 44 and Yell “Percluey” to win the game. And 8s are also called perclueys and worth -3. Then when you ask why it’s 44 you just say “because that’s Percluey” and then when they ask you what the heck is a “Percluey” you just shrug and sip on your spritzer.
hansl@lemmy.world 1 year ago
I don’t know if you read the right wiki, but in the history section the first paragraph is:
It was either that, or earlier, or in the future. That’s the only year that kinda makes sense (solar = lunar = induction = 0). It looks odd but once you know you know, you know?
Eufalconimorph@discuss.tchncs.de 1 year ago
DOH, skipped those two critical letters! Thanks for the correction.