Time expert Philippe Richard on why scientists are changing how we keep time

NPR | By Scott Simon

Published October 24, 2026 at 7:42 AM EDT

Scientists have voted to change how the world keeps time, but most people won't even notice. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Philippe Richard, director of Switzerland's Federal Institute of Metrology.

Scott Simon

Scott Simon is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

See stories by Scott Simon

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Perspective: The next James Bond

Scott Simon

A new James Bond is nigh, to replace the last actor in the 64 year-old movie franchise. What evil forces will the new 007 face? Killer Drones? Killer AI? Killer lettuce?
NPR News

Gunmen open fire at a church during a funeral in Jordan, killing 7 and wounding 40

The Associated Press

Footage broadcast on Jordanian state television showed three gunmen firing shots at a Greek Orthodox church in the city of Karak on Friday.
A consultant is going viral for exposing the cringe-worthy DMs bosses send employees

Ryan Warner

A management consultant is going viral after he started sharing cringe-worthy anonymous DMs employees get from bosses. Like, ones they get on their wedding day and worse.
AI panic and market volatility: Are the stock market's big gains unsustainable?

Scott Simon

Stock markets are being hit by intense periods of volatility that are raising concerns about whether the big gains seen over the past four years can be sustained. Fears about AI are a big reason.
NPR News

European student protests take aim at Serbia's elections

Hannah Bloch, Guy De Launey

Students have been protesting across Europe. In Serbia, they've selected candidates to run for parliament in Sunday's elections. And they're aiming to end 14 years of government by the populist leader Aleksandar Vucic.