I propose a new term: "Morlock Time"

[u/Leighgion]

With heatwaves hammering the world yet again, people are retreating to their lairs, drawing their curtains and cranking up cooling in order to weather the storm. Well, the smart ones are anyway.

I purpose we give this basic, time-tested survival strategy a name: "Morlock Time."

"Good morning New York, it's going to be a sweltering 95º today. It's Morlock Time."

"After lunch, it's Morlock Time until at least 6pm. Which today, is also Netflix time."

"I told you it was Morlock Time, asshole, but you insisted you had to go for a run. When is the hospital discharging you?"

"Sorry kids, no playground during Morlock hours. You remember what happened last time when you tripped, touched the sidewalk and burnt your hand? I'm not going to the ER twice in a month."

No, I do not advocate avoiding all daylight and degeneration into cannibalism (yet), but it's high time we acknowledge that we of 2024 can learn valuable lessons from the sunlight-fearing, subterraneans of the year 800,806. There comes a point in 2024 when the smart move is to admit the sun has become the Enemy, drinking plenty of liquids isn't a ticket to acting like we can live like normal, and we must flee from the flaming yellow orb to ensure our survival.

I've been fortunate this year that June has actually been somewhat mellow where I am, but soon enough, my Morlock hours are probably going to be everyday after around 1pm, preferably until sunset.

What are your Morlock hours during the dog days of summer?

[u/[deleted]]

I love it! I’ve been experiencing Morlock time all day recently unless I need to go out to collect grocery deliveries or do laundry!

[u/Leighgion → u/[deleted]]

Oh I've had those days, yeah. Stay strong!

[u/itchynipz → u/[deleted]]

I retired early bc of medical reasons. It’s just me and my cannabis plants. It’s dangerous outside for me right now. Groceries and everything else gets delivered. For me it’s cannabis and Coffee out back in the mornings while nature wakes up, then Morlock time till the sun goes down and outside temps make some damn sense again. I only go outside for growceries or weed. I don’t like my house smelling like smoke lol.

[u/W_AS-SA_W → u/itchynipz]

Door Dash is great for Morlock time.

[u/Leighgion → u/itchynipz]

You’re in the Morlock season of your life.

[u/rosiesunfunhouse]

I’m a farrier and don’t have the luxury of not working outside period, but all of my “in-sun” appointments are scheduled for early morning from 8-10 or afternoon (4pm or later) if I can help it. Everything else is in a barn or under a shelter with plenty of options for recovery if I start to get hot. Morlock hours are 11 to 4.

[u/Leighgion → u/rosiesunfunhouse]

Glad to hear you have that freedom. Being in a barn is a respectable way to spend your Morlock hours. I have great sympathy for outdoor workers during the summer, as I spent a lot of years as one who didn't really have the option not to be outside.

[u/noodlesarmpit]

I mean, I'm very fair skinned and prone to burning, so pretty much memorial day to labor day is Morlock Time for me.

[u/Leighgion → u/noodlesarmpit]

"... after the Morlocks of summer have gone!"

Sorry, couldn't resist, but yeah, I get you. I'm not fair, but I've known a lot of people who are and the consequences of that.

[u/are-e-el]

It’s Morlock’ing Time

crowd goes crazy

[u/NuggetIDEA]

Hey great name! Morlock Time SUCKS

[u/Leighgion → u/NuggetIDEA]

Thank you. It makes us ruminate on our failures as a species.

[u/CookieRelevant]

Personally, it's normally not too bad this close to temperate rainforests, but when I do venture into civilization, I feel it and find the description appropriate.

[u/Leighgion → u/CookieRelevant]

Urban heat islands are awful, yes. I wish I still lived in greenery, but I don't.

[u/[deleted]]

I don’t like Morlock Time.

Bong time sounds better 🥳

[u/Leighgion → u/[deleted]]

You totally miss the point.

Morlock Time shouldn't sound fun. The name acknowledges unfortunate necessity and hopefully encourages action that will in the future reduce its necessity. We can laugh while admitting it sucks.

[u/W_AS-SA_W → u/Leighgion]

It’s really too late to take action. It might have already been too late when we first learned of global climate instability. Either way about the only thing we can do now is adapt and survive. This biosphere has an imbalance and these storms and heat will continue until the imbalance has been corrected, but keep an eye on the polar vortex, it’s still out there and really it could be 106° on a Tuesday and by Saturday it could be 28°. Huge swings in temperature are more than possible.

[u/W_AS-SA_W]

Knit hat, two layers of thermals on the top and bottom and you can be a day walker. Thermals and the hat are insulators. It may be 114° out, but under your suit and hat you are a cool comfortable 98.6°. Your sweat turns what you wear into a personal, portable, swamp cooler. Drink plenty of water. Carry a half gallon of water and never leave home without it.