Brief reflection on accuracy

Fish always accurately know where to move and when, and likewise birds have an accurate built-in time sense and orientation. Humanity, however, lacking such instincts resorts to scientific research. Its nature is illustrated by the following occurrence. A certain soldier had to fire a cannon at six o’clock sharp every evening. Being a soldier he did so. When his accuracy was investigated he explained: I go by the absolutely accurate chronometer in the window of the clockmaker down in the city. Every day at seventeen forty-five I set my watch by it and climb the hill where my cannon stands ready. At seventeen fifty-nine precisely I step up to the cannon and at eighteen hours sharp I fire. And it was clear that this method of firing was absolutely accurate. All that was left was to check that chronometer. So the clockmaker down in the city was questioned about his instrument’s accuracy. Oh, said the clockmaker, this is one of the most accurate instruments ever. Just imagine, for many years now a cannon has been fired at six o’clock sharp. And every day I look at this chronometer and always it shows exactly six. Chronometers tick and cannon boom.