I enjoy seeing how far Microsoft's "CoPilot" will go in answering guestions. Sometimes it refuses and chides you for daring to ask. (Like the first time I asked if a man's prostrate could be a sex toy like a woman's clitoris. When I asked it more scientifically, it gave me an answer. Kid proofing?) Anyhooo. Here's a question and their answer I got today I thought I'd share. I doubt ALL that organizing and information is in those couple references, so the damned thing MUST be doing some creative thinking of it's own. (I came up with a wacky idea for a book. Gave it the title and BANG it gave me a whole outline with things I would NEVER have thought of adding. Pretty amazing!)
QUESTION: If there is a big nuclear war will a new calendar be started with the first day of the war being day 1 and year 1?
LONG ANSWER:
In the event of a catastrophic nuclear war, the establishment of a new calendar system would be a profound and complex endeavor. However, it is unlikely that a new calendar would begin with the first day of the war as day 1 and year 1.
Allow me to explain why:
1. **Historical Calendar Systems**:
- Throughout human history, various calendar systems have been used across different cultures and civilizations. These calendars are deeply ingrained in our societies and have evolved over centuries.
- The Gregorian calendar, which is widely used today, has its origins in the ancient Roman calendar and was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It replaced the Julian calendar.
- The concept of counting years from a specific starting point (such as the birth of Jesus Christ) has shaped our understanding of historical events.
2. **Continuity and Consistency**:
- A sudden shift to a new calendar system would disrupt continuity and create confusion. People rely on calendars for everyday life, business, legal matters, and cultural events.
- Existing records, historical timelines, and legal contracts are all based on the current calendar. Changing it abruptly would require extensive adjustments.
3. **Cultural and Religious Significance**:
- Many cultures and religions have their own calendars tied to significant events or religious beliefs. For example:
- The Islamic calendar (Hijri) begins with the migration (Hijra) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.
- The Hebrew calendar starts from the creation of the world (Anno Mundi).
- The Buddhist calendar counts years from the death of Gautama Buddha.
- These calendars hold deep cultural and religious significance, and any abrupt change would be met with resistance.
4. **Practical Challenges**:
- Determining the exact start date of a nuclear war would be challenging. Wars often escalate gradually, and pinpointing the precise moment when hostilities began may be impossible.
- Additionally, the aftermath of a nuclear war would likely involve chaos, destruction, and loss of infrastructure. Establishing a new calendar system would not be a priority.
5. **Symbolic and Emotional Considerations**:
- The start of a new era after a devastating war might carry symbolic weight. People would likely want to distance themselves from the horrors of the conflict.
- Rather than starting from day 1 and year 1, a new calendar might be designed to emphasize hope, renewal, or lessons learned from the past.
In summary, while the idea of a post-war calendar is intriguing, practical challenges, cultural continuity, and historical context would likely prevent the adoption of a calendar that begins with day 1 and year 1 of a nuclear war. Instead, any new system would likely build upon existing structures while acknowledging the profound impact of such an event.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/6/2024
(1) Scientists to deliver a warning about nuclear war with Doomsday Clock .... https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/13/doomsday-clock-2024-announcement/72175283007/.
(2) Doomsday Clock 2024 time update has dire warnings of nuclear war .... https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/23/doomsday-clock-announcement-2024/72311076007/.
(3) 2023 Doomsday Clock announcement Tuesday to warn of nuclear war - USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2023/01/16/2023-doomsday-clock-update/11047008002/.
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And just a meme as a reminder of WHY we will
have such a war....
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