Atomic clocks and daylight saving time?

Question

survey question, Has having an atomic clock spoiled you memory on what to do verses fall / spring?

Radio DJ asked a person "If you forgot to set your clock, would you be late or early?" She said Late.

He said wrong, then went to a commercial break. after they came back he was surprised to see al his phones lit up. He said, because he has all atomic clocks he oesnt manually set them anymore, thus doesn't worry about it.

So back to the original question?

Does having an atomic clock mad you forget the directions of daylight savings time?

Answer 1

Yes although I don't have an atomic clock.



My two principle timekeepers are:

1) My cell phone

2) My computer



Both of these automatically update without my having to do anything.



The clock on my car generally doesn't get reset. Fortunately, it is now correct again :) So I have to remember to stop mentally subtracting an hour when I look at it.

Answer 2

What the DJ has are clocks that take their time from a radio broadcast from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). The signals are generated by measuring the counts from an atomic clock and then converting those counts into time standards that we commonly use. The NIST software probably updates the clocks it broadcasts time to, to update for the start of daylight savings time, or the ending of it, depending on season. So it really has nothing to do with whether or not time is kept by an atomic clock but more to do with the clock being "smart enough" to adjust itself for the start or stop of daylight savings time.

Answer 3

No.I've known "spring forward,fall back" since the world cooled.However I have been either late or early for appointments because I forgot to set my clocks(possibly alcohol related).

Answer 4

Just stupid people, like that DJ.