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T
he City's first Great New Year's Eve passed quietly last night
without major celebrations.
Each 13th New Year begins a new Great Cycle: the World's
major temporal and astrological division. While this
division is ancient and traditional, it's remarkable
nevertheless that the one just completed was the first
in the City's known history. How is it possible for something
to be at once ancient and brand new?
I caught up with Mark in his apartment, to ask him that
question.
Occam:
Many of us are confused by the fact that, while the City is very
ancient, Time seems to have begun very recently. Exactly 13 years
ago today, in fact. Can you explain?
Mark:
Ugh. Well, it would be easier without this hangover. Damn
smart juice. The basic answer is very simple. Time isn't linear
in TC. Or more precisely, while Time is linear, all points on
the time "line" are always present simultaneously.
Thus the exact
labeling of any point is basically arbitrary --
"Month of Spiders 1, Year of Rebirth 2", for instance --
that is to say, dependent on one's point of view. In order to
provide a common point of reference, it was decided to standardize
on the ancient notion of Great Cycles, although you'll still find
many in TC who use other calendars. All equally arbitrary. Thus
it is that we began measuring and chronicle-ing historical
time just 13 years ago. I hope this makes sense.
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(At this exact point in historical time, Mark's rather
rambunctious next door neighbor, Frankenstein, and his little
daughter, went running across their apartment, causing a small
earthquake. Mark noticeably winced, while the lamp rattled on
his desk.)
Occam:
Sort of. Doesn't this imply that, while historical time
existed before the first Great Cycle, which just ended, it
was nevertheless unmeasurable?
Mark:
Yep, that's about it. That's how some people look at it,
anyway.
Others prefer the more mechanical idea that time actually
did begin exactly 13 years ago, in which case, all our
ancient lore and legend is either complete nonsense, or
is based on events that took place outside of time, or
before the beginning of measurable time, or before time
which can be labeled in a conventional way. Take your
pick.
Occam:
Frankly, this all seems very metaphysical to me.
Mark:
Me too. That's why I'm maybe not so good at answering your
question. I really just do physics. You might talk to
Poobah re metaphysical questions.
Occam:
Uh, thanks for your time.
Mark:
Dontmentionit.
Happy New Year, everyone. ~Occam
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