"the device was found on the sea bed near the Greek island of Antikythera"
So they found it near an island of the same name? What are the odds. This is why I don't trust official histories
Boffins decipher manual for 2,000-year-old Ancient Greek computer
Scientists have examined hitherto-obscure inscriptions on the Antikythera Mechanism, a first century BC apparatus comprised of interlocking gears, and now believe the device could predict eclipses and the motion of the planets. The Antikythera Mechanism is a scientific and archaeological marvel, because nothing else like it …
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Thursday 16th June 2016 20:28 GMT fidodogbreath
Re: Boffins decipher manual for 2,000-year-old Ancient Greek computer
"Η επιβίωση των Angry Birds είναι σε κίνδυνο. Πιάτο έξω εκδίκηση από τους άπληστους χοίρων που έκλεψαν τα αυγά τους."
The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the greedy pigs who stole their eggs.
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Wednesday 15th June 2016 18:46 GMT asdf
Three body problem
From what I understand we think the machine was incredibly well, well machined and intricate but remember hearing something like the machine operation is more accurate than the math underlining it, with the net effect the device is often inaccurate but not due to mechanical reasons or tolerances. A case of the theoretical not keeping up with the experimental. I guess not a surprise as there would be no Mr. Newton for another millennium and a half plus.
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This post has been deleted by its author
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Wednesday 15th June 2016 12:25 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: Does it start with
While is true Romans didn't care much about not applied sciences, it also true they never did much to hinder them in Greece, Egypt and other countries. Actually Julius Caesar and other leaders used Hellenistic scientist whenever they needed. In Rome, Greeks were highly regarded in professions like medicine, and not only. Romans did care about technological progress as long as it was useful for their aims. Roman engineering was fairly advanced.
Actually, it was the "new" monotheistic religions, Christianity first and Islam later, which, having that strange idea of the "holy book where everything true is written from god's advice, and everything not written is false, dangerous an demoniac" started to destroy everything that could "prove" the book was "false" (you still find some in US and Middle East...)
Later both, once power was conquered, understood some sciences could also be useful (as long as carefully controlled to avoid they could used against the power itself), but just after doing a lot of damage.
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Wednesday 15th June 2016 13:05 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: Bah!
"Less portable, of course, but that can be said about anything made in Britain."
Reminds me of a cartoon strip in the 1970s**. Probably "B.C." which was set in the Stone Age - and a recurring*** theme was about useless inventions like "the wheel".
One invention was a neat device for your wrist which presaged the current smart watches. As the inventor then pointed out - the extremely large battery was also necessary.
** looking up an explanatory link - it is a surprise to find the cartoons are still running.
http://johnhartstudios.com/bc/
*** another theme was dictionary definitions like:
"Recursion" - see "recursion".
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Biting the hand that feeds IT
