Jeff Bezos is building a clock that makes the average wristwatch seem trivial. In a 2023 Lex Fridman Podcast episode, Bezos delved into the concept behind his $42 million project: the 10,000-Year Clock.
Nestled inside a mountain in West Texas, this engineering marvel ticks once a year, chimes every century and showcases a cuckoo every millennium. Why? Bezos explains it's a bold symbol to shift humanity's focus toward long-term thinking – a concept he believes is critical in a rapidly evolving world.
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"This clock isn't just a piece of machinery," Bezos shared. "It's a reminder. Humans need to stretch their thinking horizons beyond quarterly reports or election cycles to generations ahead. Long-term thinking is the lever to solve problems that seem impossible when we're stuck in the short-term."
Although Bezos announced installation began in 2018 via a post on X, there is no expected completion date at this time.
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The clock itself is no small feat. Standing 500 feet tall and carved into a remote mountain, the design includes precision mechanics powered by natural thermal cycles. Materials like marine-grade stainless steel and hi-tech ceramics were chosen to ensure it lasts 10,000 years with no human intervention. As Bezos described, the clock will "accrue the patina of age" and eventually become a living piece of history, inspiring future civilizations.
During the interview, Lex Fridman posed a big question: "Do you think humans will be here when the clock runs out?" Bezos replied with measured optimism, saying, "Here on Earth? I think so." But he followed up took a more realistic tone: "The United States won't exist." He elaborated, pointing out that civilizations inevitably rise and fall. "10,000 years is so long. No nation-state has ever survived for anywhere close to 10,000 years."
Fridman noted how the accelerating pace of progress might further challenge long-term stability. Bezos agreed, adding, "It makes that even less likely."
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The clock's concept originated from inventor Danny Hillis in the 1980s, but Bezos has taken it to another level. By funding and housing the project on his own land, Bezos envisions it becoming a pilgrimage site. Visitors will have to hike rugged terrain to witness the clock in action – an intentional design to underscore its importance.
The clock's features are as mind-bending as its timeline. Five chambers mark milestones, including one- and 10,000-year anniversaries. A custom orrery will even track planetary movements and past interplanetary probes. Legendary musician Brian Eno contributed a chime generator capable of producing 3.5 million unique bell sequences, ensuring no sound repeats in any human lifetime.
Bezos emphasized that the clock is less about today's achievements and more about shaping the mindset of tomorrow. "We've built technologies capable of extraordinary wonders but also civilization-scale problems," he noted. By anchoring people to the reality of 10,000 years, the clock challenges humanity to act responsibly for future generations.
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This larger-than-life clock isn't just about engineering marvels or philosophical musings – it's also a testament to humanity's potential to think beyond the now. Whether it's climate change, global conflict or existential threats, Bezos believes the solutions begin with a shift in perspective.
The question remains: will this ticking timepiece succeed in nudging humanity to think further ahead? Bezos admits its true impact might not emerge for centuries, but that's kind of the point. "If it ever influences people to think longer term, that won't happen for hundreds of years," he acknowledged. "But we have to build it now."
For those daring enough to visit, don't expect instant gratification. It's a trek through desolate terrain, rising 2,000 feet above the valley floor. But maybe that's fitting for a clock that's teaching us all to slow down.
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