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Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient 'computer' that 'shouldn't exist' [video]

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Re: Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient 'computer' that 'shouldn't exist' [video]

#2
In case you have not seen it, there is a very interesting video series by Clickspring about building an Antikythera Mechanism with tools that were abailable at that time. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZioPDnFPNsHnyxfygxA0...

The tl;dw is that it was possible to build it with tools that were probably available, but some tools are specialized enough to guess that they had already build other similar devices. The final IRL reconstructed device is very nice. It's a long serie (10 episodes of 15 minutes each + some additional videos with even more details in other playlist) but it's worth watching.

Re: Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient 'computer' that 'shouldn't exist' [video]

#4
post #3

"Simply shouldn't exist" Pyramids were wonders of the ancient world long before the Python web framework. The condescencion of the modern age toward those who came before use never ceases to amuse.

All they're saying is that the technology represented in this device has no equivalent in the historical record anywhere near that time and that place. It's not to say that it literally cannot exist, rather, our historical understanding of these peoples is clearly incomplete. These are the sorts of findings that change our understanding of history which makes it pretty exciting to me.

The Clickspring series on this mechanism was mentioned elsewhere and is some of the finest content on YouTube, I'd strongly recommend checking it out.

Re: Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient 'computer' that 'shouldn't exist' [video]

#5
post #4
post #3

"Simply shouldn't exist" Pyramids were wonders of the ancient world long before the Python web framework. The condescencion of the modern age toward those who came before use never ceases to amuse.

All they're saying is that the technology represented in this device has no equivalent in the historical record anywhere near that time and that place. It's not to say that it literally cannot exist, rather, our historical understanding of these peoples is clearly incomplete. These are the sorts of findings that change our understanding of history which makes it pretty exciting to me. The Clickspring series on this m…

There are actually several descriptions of similar devices in the literature.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism#Similar_...

Re: Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient 'computer' that 'shouldn't exist' [video]

#6
post #3

"Simply shouldn't exist" Pyramids were wonders of the ancient world long before the Python web framework. The condescencion of the modern age toward those who came before use never ceases to amuse.

Taken another way, we're condemning our own current lack of imagination, understanding.

Re: Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient 'computer' that 'shouldn't exist' [video]

#7
post #4
post #3

"Simply shouldn't exist" Pyramids were wonders of the ancient world long before the Python web framework. The condescencion of the modern age toward those who came before use never ceases to amuse.

All they're saying is that the technology represented in this device has no equivalent in the historical record anywhere near that time and that place. It's not to say that it literally cannot exist, rather, our historical understanding of these peoples is clearly incomplete. These are the sorts of findings that change our understanding of history which makes it pretty exciting to me. The Clickspring series on this m…

I've seen people claimed that, e.g. the polished granite columns common across European palaces and even some cathedrals, could not have been a) polished so well without laser technology, b) could not be moved and then erected without modern engine-powered equipment. So all of it was the work of ancient aliens or something, and the history as we're taught it is completely falsified, for some reason.

Because obviously, if you can't imagine how to do something then it must be impossible.

Re: Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient 'computer' that 'shouldn't exist' [video]

#8
post #3

"Simply shouldn't exist" Pyramids were wonders of the ancient world long before the Python web framework. The condescencion of the modern age toward those who came before use never ceases to amuse.

Seems like the ancients were much better at making tools than they were at marketing them.

Granted, their market was much smaller to begin with, who needs a calculator when their whole existence consists of farming and having kids.

A small group today could prototype a very advanced set of AR glasses, but if they don't try to sell it, it would never be "discovered" by society. Future archeologists would say "this shouldn't exist".

On that note, there are so many people these days and so much information that the chance of someone else creating the same thing and successfully popularizing it is much higher.

Re: Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient 'computer' that 'shouldn't exist' [video]

#10
post #7
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All they're saying is that the technology represented in this device has no equivalent in the historical record anywhere near that time and that place. It's not to say that it literally cannot exist, rather, our historical understanding of these peoples is clearly incomplete. These are the sorts of findings that change our understanding of history which makes it pretty exciting to me. The Clickspring series on this m…

I've seen people claimed that, e.g. the polished granite columns common across European palaces and even some cathedrals, could not have been a) polished so well without laser technology, b) could not be moved and then erected without modern engine-powered equipment. So all of it was the work of ancient aliens or something, and the history as we're taught it is completely falsified, for some reason. Because obviously…

Because obviously, if you say impossible, you mean impossible, and it's not a figure of speech (since unless we're talking about 'alien technology' conspiracy theorists, the people calling it "impossible" already know that e.g. the polishing clearly has been done and is thus possible without lasers).
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