One of the best parts of traveling...
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| St. Peterskirche, Zürich |
... is the chance to see the world in new ways. Every time I travel, I always see anew and come across wondrous things that rattle around in my brainpan for months afterward.
As one might say, in a turn of phrase widely attributed to Issac Asimov,
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not “Eureka!” (I found it!) but “That’s funny…”
As you know, I've just returned to Silicon Valley from my sojourn in Zürich. It was a wonderful time, full of fascinating places, cultural traditions, and an immersion in a culture that is not my own, but marvelous to behold.
But, as you might expect, I noticed a few funny things that drew my attention--things that I need to share with you as SRS Challenges.
Can you figure these out? (I don't think they're that hard, but they ARE incredibly interesting.)
1. In the picture of St. Peterskirche (above) there's something about the clock tower that struck my eye and made me say, "That's funny..." Does it strike your eye too? Can you find an explanation for it? (No, it's not leaning.)
2. All around Zürich I kept running across places that had this logo (below). They always seem to be centered around a coffee shop / diner of some kind, but they seem to be much more than just another coffee shop. What are these places? Why would one go there?
3. I was lucky enough to see one of these wee beasties flying over a clump of flowers and sipping nectar, looking for all the world like a hummingbird. But it's NOT a hummingbird! What is it? (I wish this image was mine, but none of my shots turned out. This is from Wikipedia.)
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| A mysterious flying critter. What is it? P/C Wikimedia |
4. You know the quote above that's reputedly by Asimov? I have my doubts. Can you figure out where it actually comes from?
As always, please tell us your findings in the comments below. BE SURE to tell us what you did to find your answers.
About Q1, the tower for me has three interesting things. I don't know if it's the one Dr. Russell noticed.
ReplyDeleteAt the top, the kind of flag. Then the device that looks like kitchen bell.
And finally the now closed squares. It looks like maybe the tower was a barn?
About Q3, that animal brings good memories for me. I asked about when Dr. Russell gave the first Search MOOC. Plus I also thought it was a hummingbird. In real life they are much more similar when you see them.
It's a Hummingbird Moth. And it's a great experience to see both pollinating. Hummingbirds and Hummingbirds moths in the same Lantana is magical
After reading about the IIII with Remmij, searched [why St. Peterskirche clock roman numbers]
DeleteGoogle AI generated version gives much information.
IIII was additive and also people write that is easy to read and maintain balance with VIII
Then [First Roman Numbers]
Wikipedia: Big Ben has Roman Numbers
Also says: The notations IV and IX can be read as "one less than five" (4) and "one less than ten" (9), although there is a tradition favouring the representation of "4" as "IIII" on Roman numeral clocks. Links to web Archive and Washington post (behind paywall)
https://web.archive.org/web/20201115002205/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/public-clocks-do-a-number-on-roman-numerals/2011/11/04/gIQAenKllM_blog.html
Hola Ramon, good thing Dan didn't spot one of these "wee beasties" in Basel - he was safer in Zurich...
DeletePanasian Hummingbird Basiliskmoth (Macroglossum stellaswisstarum)
https://i.imgur.com/Qtnc96F.jpeg
they are hard to photograph/capture.
#1-
ReplyDeleteAI overview:
"The numerals on the clock face of St. Peterskirche in Zurich are Roman numerals. The clock face itself is notable for being the largest church clock face in Europe, measuring 8.7 meters in diameter.
One specific detail that some people notice is that the number four on the clock is represented as IIII instead of the more common IV. "
#2 - (google lens)
https://gz-zh.ch/stiftung/portrait/#wer-wir-sind
#3 -
https://es.theepochtimes.com/article/el-color-de-las-flores-que-eligen-los-polinizadores-que-tan-importante-14264.html
#4 - odd... “Hey, wait a quasar….”
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2015/03/02/eureka-funny/
#IIIII - nur zum Grinsen
https://i.imgur.com/YwiVEV8.jpeg
Hi Remmij
DeleteI didn't saw the iiii until you mentioned!
I read about the tower and the story is as Dr Russell said, very interesting. It served as a fire watch post so had 360 view. Also interesting was to read how the clock has been changing the mechanisms. And the two owners of the church.
I also didn't notice the 4 question. I love so much hummingbirds that I thought that was the final one.Or my eyes blocked the rest.
New things to searchresearch for me
also AI overview off a standard search, re:#1 -
Delete"While Roman numerals generally use IV to represent 4, some clocks and watches use IIII instead. This practice, often called the "clockmaker's four," is believed to have originated for aesthetic and practical reasons. Some theories suggest it creates better visual balance with the VIII (8) on the opposite side of the clock face. Additionally, IIII is sometimes preferred because it avoids using the first two letters of Jupiter's name (Iuppiter), which was avoided out of reverence"
another IIII use -
https://hsm.stackexchange.com/questions/15004/gate-44-at-the-colosseum-in-rome-xliiii-or-xliv-when-and-why-the-change
https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/roman-art-and-culture/roman-numerals/#google_vignette
https://blog.pocketwatchdatabase.com/2021/03/13/exploring-the-origin-of-roman-numeral-iiii-instead-of-iv-on-watch-dials/
re: #3 - may be headed your way?? (invasive?)
Deletealso AI overview -
"While some hawk moth species are native to the United States, the Spurge Hawk Moth (Hyles euphorbiae) is an example of a hawk moth introduced to help control an invasive plant, leafy spurge. It was deliberately introduced in Canada and some western states, including Montana, for biocontrol purposes. The moth's larvae feed on the leafy spurge, reducing its growth. Other hawk moths, like the White-lined Sphinx Moth, are native to North America. There have also been recent reports of a possible introduction of the Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) in northern California. "
https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/possible-introduction-of-macroglossum-stellatarum-in-northern-california/35756
About the clock - I didn't notice the 'IIII'. All I could think that seemed funny was the hands of the clock centring on a window. Not sure I've see that before...
ReplyDeleteThe 'bird' certainly looked a bird, but then I saw the antennae and thought it can't be. (But why will a bird not have an antenna ever?)
Finally, thanks for rhe interesting post!