Six Things, Volume 122
Chess Automaton | Tom Lehrer | Birdsong | Light Pollution | Weregild | Clues
Thing 1 – Chess Automaton
I know of two people of history with the forenames “Johann Nepomuk”. One was Johann Nepomuk Hummel, whose main claim to fame these days is that he composed the second most famous trumpet concerto from the late 18th/early 19th-century (the most famous being by Haydn).
But this is about a different Johann Nepomuk, albeit one with a link to music. The Johann Nepomuk in question is Johann Nepomuk Maelzel – you might have heard of him because he “invented the metronome”. He didn’t in fact do this – the credit for the invention of the mechanism goes to one Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel. But Maelzel took Winkel’s idea, added a numerical tempo scale (in beats per minute) and registered the patent. It was this kind of sharp practice that gave him the reputation of possessing “strong business acumen”, or, in a less generous assessment, “being an unscrupulous git”.
Anyway, while the story of the metronome is interesting in itself, what I really wanted to share with you was this story about Maelzel’s Automaton Chess Player.
Thing 2 – Tom Lehrer
Tom Lehrer died. He had to, at some point, but still. Time for some of the world’s many arseholes to go instead, don’t you think?
“Genius” is a strong word. I don’t know what your definition of it is, but mine includes him. Here are all his songs.
Finally, there’s this outstanding story. You need to click through to read all of it, but it’s worth it.
RIP.
Thing 3 – Birdsong
This is longer than most videos I share on here, but absolutely fascinating and kind of mindblowing. It’s about the astonishing sound world of birdsong, a world I’ve banged on about here and elsewhere for a while now. But this takes it to a whole new level, and involves the unlikely-sounding concept of a starling drawing a picture of itself with its voice. Thoroughly absorbing and recommended.
Thing 4 – Light pollution
Light pollution is a modern scourge. It’s bad for us, bad for wildlife, bad in so many ways.
Here’s a map of it so you can plot your getaway to a properly dark place.
Thing 5 – Weregild
Not being an expert on (or, in fact, in any way acquainted with) Anglo-Saxon society, I have no idea if this ‘Weregild calculator’ is accurate or not. But it’s a fun way to pass a couple of minutes.
Thing 6 – Clues
Oh this one’s right up my street. You use logic to work out who’s a criminal and who’s innocent using the information provided. It’ll give you a kindly nudge if you resort to guesswork, and you can always get a hint if you get stuck.
Again, thank you Lev.
And now you know three. Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser was an eminent card magician, and we thaumaturgists still revere his name and the sleights he gave his name to.