A Guide to the World of the Anachronauts

                                              A GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF               

          THE ANACHRONAUTS

                                                                          as seen in
                               “Ye Most Excellent and Adventuresome True Historie of Yorick”



Before you start: Suspension of Disbelief was first discussed by Coleridge. It’s a very
useful practice of putting your brain on hold so you can enjoy entertainment that would
be impossible in the “real” world. Personally, I think the world of the Anachronauts IS
the “real” world, but that’s just me. For most other people, disbelief must be completely
suspended before entering.

 Just some musings:

3.1 explosions in action films: I just made that up. Seemed appropriate.


5.1 (which seems to crop up quite a bit): Hamlet Act 5 Scene 1: wherein Yorick is
described in glowing terms as a clever but menial fool. As we now know, he is so much
more than that.


15 Seconds of Fame: Andy Warhol’s accurate description of the short-lived notoriety of
public figures.


“37” Cluster: Yes, this is a real thing, which proves that Yorick, too, can be real. The
cluster is in Orion for those of you who are interested…and you should be. NGC 2169 to
be exact. Prepare to have the hairs on the back of your neck tingle when you see it.


Anachronauts: I guess they speak for themselves: in the wrong time, all the time. Or,
quoting someone else (who?), it’s a “timey-wimey thing”.


Ba-dum ching: A classic sting; just more fascinating pop-cultural trivia.


Deep Thought: In a classic bit of deeply comedic sci-fi derring-do, the computer Deep
Thought from Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy calculates the
answer to “life, the universe and everything”. Apparently it made a boo-boo. If you have
never read Hitchiker’s Guide, immediately desist what you’re doing and get to it. Yorick
insists.


Easter Egg: Yes, sorry, but no matter how many times you clickety-click on that egg
you’re not going to get a surprise, except for carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have no clue
what I’m talking about, look up “easter egg in games”.


Frankenskull or The Modern Coeus: See “Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus”
(and the 1931 film based on it: classic scenery chewing and lovely black-and-white
scariness…and, of course, Mr. Karloff). Coeus was a titan, like Prometheus. He
represented the world of the inquisitive mind and the intellect, so it seemed entirely
appropriate to use him here. Coeus rules!


La Galerie de Boulon Rouillé: Rusty Bolt Gallery, bien sur!


Ontological Pretzel:  Okay, so Yorick is a picture in motion (aka “motion picture”) who
just invented pictures in motion. I could use the chicken-and-egg analogy, but I’m a
vegan.


Patrons at the Art Gallery are all silhouettes from famous paintings. See how many you
can guess – it’s FUN!....honest.


Shoes by Herculaneum: If you don’t get this one, you’ve never watched any old
Hercules movies. Footwear in these epics was always by “Pompeii”. Herculaneum also
fell prey to Vesuvius.


Talking Heads isn’t about the band (though they were great),but refers to TV shows with
“experts” prattling on and on in their given fields.


The Telescope: It’s a working toy model of the Mt. Palomar Hale telescope from the 50s!
If it’s good enough for Gumby, it’s good enough for Yorick. Look up “Gumby Moon
Trip”. Same telescope, except ours has been painted silver. If you've never seen Gumby before, prepare to be discombobulated.



FAQs:
Q: How can Yorick play the French Horn without lips?
A: Really??!!!?? With all of the temporal impossibilities and historical mucking about,
that’s your question? Refer to “Before you start” above.