Tokyo Skytree: A New Addition to the Skyscraper World
Summary
In this article, we discuss the completion of the Tokyo Skytree, a new broadcast tower in Japan that stands at 2,080 feet. Although it is not the tallest building in the world, the author expresses their love for skyscrapers and how they offer a unique perspective of the world. The author shares personal experiences of visiting observation decks and restaurants at the top of skyscrapers in different cities. The article also touches on the concept of gravitational time dilation and how being at the top of a skyscraper creates a space-time bubble.
Table of Contents
- The Tokyo Skytree
- Skyscrapers: More than Just Buildings
- A Different Perspective of the World
- Gravitational Time Dilation and Skyscrapers
- Conclusion
The Tokyo Skytree
The Tokyo Skytree, a new broadcast tower in Japan, has been completed and stands at 2,080 feet. Although it is not the tallest building in the world, it is still an impressive addition to the skyscraper world. The building serves a function as a broadcast tower, but it also offers visitors the opportunity to go up to an observation deck and see Tokyo from a different perspective.
Skyscrapers: More than Just Buildings
Skyscrapers have always been a fascination for many people. Although they serve a function, such as broadcasting digital TV or being a place for a hotel and an office building, there’s something more going on with skyscrapers. They offer a unique perspective of the world and give us access to a different world. When the author lived in Tokyo, they used to go up in the skyscraper next door to the Tokyo City Hall to see Tokyo from a different angle. They did the same thing in other cities they visited, such as Chicago, LA, and especially New York.
A Different Perspective of the World
Visiting observation decks and restaurants at the top of skyscrapers offers a unique perspective of the world. The author shares their personal experiences of eating at Windows on the World, a restaurant that used to be at the top of the World Trade Center in New York. Being in a built bubble where the only city really was the place that they were sitting and eating was a special experience. Although the World Trade Center is no longer there, the author still thinks about that point in space and time.
Gravitational Time Dilation and Skyscrapers
The concept of gravitational time dilation is an interesting topic to consider when it comes to skyscrapers. Gravity slows time down, and the closer you are to the ground, the slower time moves. When you move up into skyscrapers, time moves slightly faster. At the top of the Burj Khalifa, time is 9.1 times 10 to the minus 14th of a second shorter, and at the top of the Tokyo Skytree, time is 5.2 times 10 to the minus 14th of a second shorter. Although these are small numbers, being in a space-time bubble at the top of a building in a place that only exists in a moment in space and time is a magical experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the completion of the Tokyo Skytree adds another impressive building to the world of skyscrapers. Skyscrapers offer more than just a function; they offer a unique perspective of the world and create a space-time bubble at the top. The author’s personal experiences of visiting observation decks and restaurants at the top of skyscrapers highlight the special experiences that can be had. The concept of gravitational time dilation adds an interesting perspective to consider when it comes to skyscrapers.
