The leap second, which is occasionally added to synchronise atomic and astronomical time, will be abandoned in 2035.

We know this introduces a new problem now, but we’ll leave it for future generations to sort out:

Resolution D calls for U.T.C. to go uninterrupted by leap seconds from 2035 until at least 2135 and for metrologists to eventually figure out how to reconcile the atomic and astronomical time scales with fewer headaches. The international time standard would be severed from time as told by the heavens for generations to come.

Whether you work in timekeeping, make software, or pretend to tackle climate change—punting seems a universal approach to complex problems.

Also interesting is this nugget from a scientist sponsored by the Catholic Church:

[…] rejoining those two time scales was imperative, said Rev. Pavel Gabor, an astrophysicist and the vice director of the Vatican Observatory Research Group in Tucson, Ariz. He said that atomic timekeeping was just one example of how the world was becoming incomprehensible to the average person, and that scientists had a responsibility to help people feel in control of their lives.

“I think sensitivity to this mistrust of elites, mistrust of experts, mistrust of science and institutions, that’s something that’s a very real problem in today’s world,” he said. “And let’s not contribute to it.”

The vast majority of the world’s population doesn’t know the leap second exists, let alone how it complicates the world’s affairs. The leap second, of all possible reasons, isn’t the reason the “average person” distrusts elites and science. It may have something to do with how our political, economic, and spiritual leaders conduct themselves.