Maybe rich people should build weird fountains again
The Wasserspiele of Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe are 300 years old, powered entirely by gravity, and entertaining tourists. As legacies for rich people go, there are far worse ones. ■ More about the Bergpark: museum-kassel.de/en/museums-p...
Location camera: Moritz Janisch
Producer: Marcel Fenchel www.fenchel-janisch.com/
Editor: Michelle Martin / mrsmmartin
Пікірлер: 3 100
I can't wait for the tongue-in-cheek title of this to get taken completely out of context by people who don't read the context before reacting. I mean, literally, I can't wait, it'll already be happening as you read this.
@chalwadirahulrao1458
Жыл бұрын
❤️
@hiro_lim
Жыл бұрын
okay tom i think you forgot to take your meds
@ondraczsk
Жыл бұрын
Yes Tom, it is happening already
@danielgerold
Жыл бұрын
Yea
@Da_Fel
Жыл бұрын
Bro broke time
If I ever get rich, I’ll buy a massive gravity fountain just for you, Tom.
@oraaaaange
Жыл бұрын
the Tom Scott Water Spot
@overlisted
Жыл бұрын
one of us will definitely get rich very soon.
@patrickmcdonald2199
Жыл бұрын
I would 2 now
@ZNotFound
Жыл бұрын
Was thinking the same thing. Hopefully it happens to at least one Tom Scott viewer.
@mt0software
Жыл бұрын
nice pfp ;)
Note: "Wasserspiele" may translate to "water games", however is probably supposed to mean "water plays", as in theatre plays.
@LyneaFlynn
Жыл бұрын
Or "Schauspiel" (show/play) in the definition of "Spektakel" (spectacle).
@jakebruner2719
Жыл бұрын
these fountains are similarly called water games in french “jeux d’eau” so it might still have the same meaning in german, not sure though
@Skorpychan
Жыл бұрын
'Spiel mit mir' is 'play with me', so I think it's 'playing with water'. Or, for a more cultural translation, 'cocking about with water'.
@TheBoringEdward
Жыл бұрын
@@Skorpychan that would rather be "Wasserspielerei".
@Skorpychan
Жыл бұрын
@@TheBoringEdward And thus, we see the problem with me trying to figure out German grammar from listening to Rammstein.
Fun Fact: It was common for Roman nobles to financially ruin themselves under extreme social pressure from city officials, other nobles, and the mob to construct massive public works similar to these. This is why roman cities, and especially Rome itself, were often filled with opulent public spaces. It is also why many of the greatest roman constructs were funded directly by the emperor: he was almost always the wealthiest "noble."
@lilporky8565
Жыл бұрын
We need to bring this tradition back.
@fishbong
Жыл бұрын
Yes, the German nobles who built those were very aware of that. After all, they were princes of the Holy Roman Empire.
@jokig
Жыл бұрын
@@lilporky8565 I agree, it is time to bully rich people into doing level 1000 community service
@cheydinal5401
Жыл бұрын
What do you mean "almost" always? Didn't the "Caesar family" control like 1/4 of the land in the Empire directly and gain massive revenues from that?
@admiralMcmufin
Жыл бұрын
@@jokig because the collape of rome is what we want for modern society. you leftist freaks are half getting your way, and half supporting the very worst of conglomerates because they pretend to hoist rainbow flags. congrats you played yourself
I'm on his side. Why waste money on a Yaht when you could build something for everyone to enjoy. I wish rich people built castles and palaces, too, honestly. Instead of these bland modern mansions. Come on, rich people. You've got money. Amaze me. Make something that will last centuries.
@stevesether
Жыл бұрын
You're right. But let's not be too kind to the uber-rich of the the 1700s. They didn't create this for everyone, they created it to impress the other uber rich, just like the Super-Yacht people do today. The only reason we still have this stuff today is eventually those families moved on, lost power, and maybe even the grounds fell into disrepair. Then eventually it was sold/donated to the government, who likely had to restore it. That's when us plebes finally got to enjoy what richie-rich created for himself 300 years ago. But you're right.... that ain't gonna happen with a Yacht build by a Russian oligarch, or Jeff Bezos. Those Yachts migt not be around in even 30 years, and zero chance of making it to 300.
@mellie4174
Жыл бұрын
Yes! And back in the late 1700's through to the mid to late 1800speople could tour the castles for for free when the family weren't there. So they really were open to the public. Od course the poorest didn't have the means to travel to see them, but everyone else could.
@Alienwareofficial
Жыл бұрын
I think back in time rich people would make something that last a long time to mark history and make sure no one forget about them once they die (the real death) whereas nowadays people just wanna show off and live in the moment, just a theory of course
@stevesether
Жыл бұрын
@@Alienwareofficial That's more a difference between old money and new money. New money does exactly what you're saying with showing off, and blowing huge amounts of money on dumb stuff like hundred million dollar yachts. Old money tends to keep old things and maintain them.
@CRCinAU
Жыл бұрын
Yet Bezos makes a penis shaped rocket.......
I like how the grand, meticulously carved statues proceed to make rubber chicken noises when water flows.
@Azaghal1988
Жыл бұрын
It's a very loud rubber chicken noises!
@chrishei3111
Жыл бұрын
i knew it was familiar!
@vectorgeist
Жыл бұрын
To be fair they probably sounded more in tune 300 years ago
@altersami9660
Жыл бұрын
@@vectorgeist You are underestimating how meticulous Germany maintenance is.
@rootz420
Жыл бұрын
@@altersami9660 they said in the video they replaced the pipes. Meaning the original pipes that may have been in tune are gone.
"Maybe not fountains, maybe some other big physical art stuff..." No Tom, don't compromise! Fountains! I demand more FOUNTAINS!
@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
Жыл бұрын
I won't rest until every single rich person has built a fountain!
@juango500
Жыл бұрын
YOU BUILD A FOUNTAIN! YOU TOO! BUILD THEM! MORE! *_MORE!_* MORE FOUNTAINS!
@diogeneskoolaid8437
Жыл бұрын
and a shrubbery!
@Voron_Aggrav
Жыл бұрын
mean more green spaces are always a benefit to the planet, but it also needs to be done ecological and as a boon to the area instead of causing more issues with the local biosphere
@DizGaAlcam
Жыл бұрын
yes
Thank you my dude. This video was the last, and most vital clue to a mystery that I've been trying to solve for the greater part of my life. For over 30 years i have searched for evidence of this place, or at the very least, something extremely similar. I had only the fuzziest of memories to go off of. Memories of a brief segment featured in between shows i watched as a child. So thank you so much. I can finally prove after 3 decades that i wasn't crazy (at least about this) and that this place and others like it actually exist.
@keep1t5imple5tupid
Жыл бұрын
Same! I knew water and gravity could coexist... I just couldn't find proof.
@finished6267
Жыл бұрын
That's Great! Nothing more frustrating than disjointed memories
@Rishikesh_Mohite
Жыл бұрын
Happy for you. I have a disjointed memory mystery as well that I cannot remember or find out. Hope I get lucky like you.
@shanebanzet7205
Жыл бұрын
That's an incredibly satisfying experience when you make a connection that you've been missing for years! 🤯
@1958jacco
Жыл бұрын
I am from Germany and have not even heard of this place before
The engineering behind this is pure genius, the trumpet using the airflow from the water is ingenious. This is so cool.
@Hipp0campus_1
Жыл бұрын
It is also out of necessity. The water takes so much air with it that it might damage the pipes and valves so you have to get rid of it. So why not use it to make some music!
@mayadexer2953
4 ай бұрын
Can you explain how this is pure genius, how does the water keep flowing without electricité?
@Scotch20
29 күн бұрын
Water flows downhill, that's all the power it needs
Before the industrial age, the water features at the Palace of Versailles had so little pressure available that technicians had to individually switch features on and off depending on where the people where promenading to and which features were in their eyesight.
@FranziskaNagel445
Жыл бұрын
The Schloss Schwetzingen in germany had enough water pressure to power all their fountains and water features. They still brag about that to every Tourist.
@thecabooseattheendofthetra9260
Жыл бұрын
Learn your lessons, France, hire German engineers.
@lightonthehill8548
Жыл бұрын
Ah, Versailles. Teaching engineers what mistakes to not make for centuries.
@larry_the
Жыл бұрын
Isn't this the same thing that this park is doing as well?
@Ogaitnas900
Жыл бұрын
Optimizing the graphics 😄
It may just be me, but I love public gardens like these that bring tourists and locals out into the outdoors. It's a great way to protect nature while also showcasing art, I hope projects like this will continue existing for years to come.
@allamasadi7970
Жыл бұрын
Vanity projects also create jobs
@reganator5000
Жыл бұрын
And they do help people- vanity projects might not be the best use of money, but large scale public works benefit everyone, not just the person who built them, and they can easily be made to confer that benefit over centuries, if not longer (honestly at by this point, few people would consider the Great Pyramid an overly extravagant headstone and waste of effort)
@Caldermologist
Жыл бұрын
I strongly recommend the Sofia gardens in Uman, Ukraine. But not until this insane war has ended, of course.
@carpediem5232
Жыл бұрын
Well it doesn't really protect nature, since all the "nature" you see is artificial. But in general it is good to bring people outside and if done correctly it can be new space for nature to settle, just don't use existing ecosystems, that would be destroyed in the process of building such gardens.
@DurstDevel
Жыл бұрын
Check out "Schloss Ludwigsburg"
As a german, I can't fathom the fact that I just found out about this amazing place - and how 😀 Thanks Tom! You just set the destination for my next trip!
@Caysari
Жыл бұрын
Iam literally from kassel u know how happy iam ?
@dadrising6464
Жыл бұрын
me too :D
@Wonglharke
Жыл бұрын
Sience and architecture wise Germany is such an interesting country. i wasnt aware of that as a German. It also makes me very proud as a fellow German to see him being so interested in our country :)
@Happymali10
Жыл бұрын
@@Caysari Did you never hear the siren?
@Caysari
Жыл бұрын
@@Happymali10 nah i always missed it
Never heard of this place and looked it up because of this video... and this is about 1-2 hours by train from where I live. I'm definitely going to visit this month. Thanks!
@DamnZodiak
Жыл бұрын
@@Lucas-nw8bw Thanks for the advice :)
@mihklirir.5188
Жыл бұрын
@@DamnZodiak Also: the Documenta 15 (a really big art exhibition across Kassel) just started so ti is definitely worth a visit!
@DamnZodiak
Жыл бұрын
@@mihklirir.5188 Thanks. I'm going in couple days, so this was just on time :)
@mihklirir.5188
Жыл бұрын
@@DamnZodiak perfect! have a safe and fun trip! :)
My manager: “Sir you have enough money to donate to-“ Me: “We building a fountain” Manager: “But what about the-“ Me: “The horns? We will have those too”
@ExDee419
Жыл бұрын
@@randomsoul294 step 1: donate to charity step 2: wait for the effects step 3: find out that the money is being embezzled or just not used at all
@jamescollins6085
Жыл бұрын
@@randomsoul294 I don't know how much truth there is to this, but I have heard that certain charities are actually maintaining a state of poverty.
@sorrowandsufferin924
Жыл бұрын
Recipe for ultimate stonks: 1) Do not donate what you have to charity. 2) Use the money to build massive fountains and water games. 3) Have people pay a small (I do mean small) fee to see the water games. 4) Earn more money than you spent. 5) You may now donate to charity. STONKS!
@ZekuChanU
Жыл бұрын
@@sorrowandsufferin924 Biznis
@briant6669
Жыл бұрын
@@jamescollins6085 Non profits use 95% for administrative salaries. Charities are just a way for the rich to get richer. The pelosi family runs the homeless charities in san francisco. They spend 42k per homeless person in the city. 95% of that is paid to her family and friends, 5% makes it to the homeless.
incredible engineering. the fact that it is 300 years old is INCREDIBLE.
@Zaire82
Жыл бұрын
The more surprising thing is that modern technology fails to last longer than something made 300 years ago.
@ioh4425
Жыл бұрын
@@Zaire82 well modern tech isnt 300 yrs old as it is modern
@Zaire82
Жыл бұрын
@@ioh4425 That is true, but totally irrelevant. I hope you see how that doesn't matter without me having to explain it.
@ioh4425
Жыл бұрын
@@Zaire82 well it does matter cuz modern tech physically cant last longer than tech from 300 yrs ago as that tech was created 300 yrs ago and modern tech is in the last 10-20 yrs modern tech might be able to last 300 yrs but we dunno as its 20 yrs old
@Zaire82
Жыл бұрын
@@ioh4425 We do know. Architects design buildings with short lifespans intentionally. They also publish these lifespans for anyone to see and the buildings get demolished once they run out, otherwise they will become structurally unsound and put lives at risk. This is due to modern techniques using mostly concrete. It's cheap and water resistant, but it doesn't last long. Even reinforced concrete needs to be replaced eventually. Pipework in particular gets replaced quite frequently. That's why you can't go a month without coming across roadworks replacing them. Modern techniques are _made_ to be replaced unlike old technology that's made to last indefinitely.
No your right, the money spent on projects like these back in the day went to local smiths, architects, masons, and landscapers. They were built to show of the engineering of the time, and for that purpose were built for the public. A Modern oversized private yacht sees all that money going to like one of 3 major luxury corporations that likely pay their workers a pittance. Disneyland brings tourism, a megamansion is a ridiculous exclusive theme park that will will only have like 5 people or less in it 90% of the time.
@theherrdark4834
Жыл бұрын
The people who work on the yachts are paid professionals, you don't hire an idiot off the street to build something like that.
@Ellie-rx3jt
Жыл бұрын
There are actually a lot of small trade businesses involved in the building and maintenance of luxury yachts/parts for said yachts
@mellie4174
Жыл бұрын
Yup!
@celestialtree8602
Жыл бұрын
@Anel Zukić It ain't just the rich who feel disconnected from their communities, and especially their place of birth.. there's very valid reasons to I'd say.
@bahshas
4 ай бұрын
it was an entire city/country way of showing off, not just the rich
Ive always been obsessed with fountains and water-features. They've always had a place in my heart, just watching the water flow down from the top. This entire park is a estimate to how easily entertained humans can be and I appreciate that.
I was not ready for the sound of those horns. Imagine being a well timed tourist there and not knowing what those are in the slightest.
@JudgeEomer
Жыл бұрын
And now imagine encountering this in the post apocalypse, accidentally setting off that lever trying to find drinkable water, and shitting yourself as you summon every zombie and cannibal cult for five miles.
@farhadnoor2874
Жыл бұрын
This has quite literally happened to me I was taken there by family not knowing what was in store.
@ellicerslavic
Жыл бұрын
@@JudgeEomer fresh water, but at what cost?xD
@foty8679
Жыл бұрын
@@ellicerslavic Everything.
@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
Жыл бұрын
@@JudgeEomer I was also thinking the noise is very menacing. I think a horror movie could have that sound.
The sound is an amazing part of the whole thing. Just so amazing and creative to not “waste” the moving, displaced air
I visited Bergpark about 15 or so years ago and loved it, but since I don't speak german and my friends that took me didn't know or explain how it worked this video has made me realize it was even more amazing than I thought. Thanks Tom!
@Hipp0campus_1
Жыл бұрын
you can get an english speaking guided tour there nowadays! The most interesting fact for me was, that they hid the openings to the pipes during WW2. Because the nazis would have taken all the steel piping for manufacturing weapons.
Alles was ich brauche um glücklich zu sein sind mehr Tom Scott Videos in Deutschland
@bae509
Жыл бұрын
dieses
@slevinkelevra5824
Жыл бұрын
@@bae509 und dann aus meiner Stadt. Ich dachte ich träume
@sebastianstark3224
Жыл бұрын
dieses
@chaotus
Жыл бұрын
Bin ich voll dafür
@Arcturus367
Жыл бұрын
@@chaotus wenn ich voll bin, bin ich auch dafür 😉
Just for you Tom... when I'm incredibly rich, I'm going to build a randomly-activated water/fire fountain surrounded by 2D modernistic illusion arts inside a discontinued nuclear power plant surrounded by giant mechanical animals. And I'll rent it out to TV show directors from time to time and allow them to film epic title sequences there.
@Vinemaple
Жыл бұрын
Now, *that's* dedication.
@nitehawk86
Жыл бұрын
It can only be reached via hovercraft.
@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
Жыл бұрын
That'll have to compete with my project once I build a zero-gravity indoor waterpark containing a diving gondola that runs sideways and a poison garden covered in tires that you can hit with a hammer, located inside a tiny skyscraper surrounded by a chainmail box, that can be accessed by riding a couch down a musical road that's beneath an active gun range, on a national border.
@channelknightfadran7901
Жыл бұрын
@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Aha, but does yours include a carousel that tests public toll roads without speed limits that you can fire a gun over?
@bernds6587
Жыл бұрын
@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 but the more important question is: does it have to legally wobble?
I can't help but agree, these sorts of beautification projects are quite literally a philanthropic gift.
yahoo thats my home city right there since my childhood i was always amazed by the Wasserspiele, but not only was it something amazing back then, learning and understanding more and more of it and realizing the scale of it amazes me again and again. So cool to have the one and only Tom Scott showing this to the world! Thank you for visiting :)
The artistic work here isn’t actually worthless in terms of helping humanity. Sure there are many things that could be more helpful, but turning things like this into public parks and centres could very easily improve the quality of life of people who live in or visit the area by adding a little bit of extra wonder and beauty, and can definitely improve mental health and well-being
@brianna6377
Жыл бұрын
Towns and villages die when there is no longer a draw to be there. Random and cool things like this can be exactly what they need.
@robonator2945
Жыл бұрын
also tourism costs and the fact that the work making it was all paid labour. All money spent in any capacity is money recirculated, irrelevant of how it is spent. The only time money unfairly flows one way is for high profit margin products like Apple devices. I mean, they sold a pair of wheels for 600 freedom eagles, meanwhile Xiaomi takes a sub 20 dollar profit margin per phone. Economics is mostly a game of information asymmetry when it comes to people making lots of money, consumers don't weigh all the options equally, so they buy more expensive things that have a higher profit margin, that profit margin reaches the CEO's pocket. Even things like investments are going to other companies and paying for salaries, upgrading the tech for the people who work there, etc.
@flubnub266
Жыл бұрын
It also has the effect of infusing all the nearby properties with value, because who doesn't want to live within walking/biking distance of the cool gravity fountain?
@jumpwithe2454
Жыл бұрын
Hey i am from the city this video is in and you can actually see the statue from almost every part in our city and it is a symbol of it as well. it definitly makes our city interresting but we have a lot of other interresting art and are a city of 200k pople
@MrMichelxD
Жыл бұрын
Also, people got paid for building all this! People were paid for the pipes and mechanisms and others are still paid to mainting everything. It won't help people in poorer regions of the world, but at least it's going back into the economy instead of being hoarded up by a dragon
I find there is a significant lack of fountains in modern life.
@hellothere9167
Жыл бұрын
fr and severe common case of bland white "futuristic" look
@mewblue3997
Жыл бұрын
@@hellothere9167 that's a problem I have with a lot of places - particularly modern architecture, where I live your house is brick red, white or grey. Future is looking real bright guys
@shashwatsharma2596
Жыл бұрын
@@mewblue3997 yes, bright but not colourful
@dsmyify
Жыл бұрын
The fountains close by here have been dry for years. They are considered a waste of water.
@Hirosjimma
Жыл бұрын
they've been a source of legionella outbreaks because the water that was stagnant in the pipes is distributed in a fine breathable mist over onlookers...
Ich liebe die Videos die Tom hier in Deutschland gedreht hat. Sind einfach super interessant und natürlich lerne selbst ich als Deutscher immer mehr weitere tolle Orte in und um Deutschland herum durch diese Videos kennen. Dafür würde ich mich einfach mal gerne bedanken. Mach weiter so und Liebe Grüße aus dem Schwabenland.
there are so many fountains in my city in germany and i love them so much
If you consider visiting the city of Kassel to have a look yourself on these Wasserspiele in the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, be aware, that this summer there is also the documenta in Kassel, which is one of the most important exhibitions of contemporary art and takes place only every five years.
@NonstopDriving
Жыл бұрын
We even had Brad Pitt here 10 years ago for the documenta :)
@ninamarie177
Жыл бұрын
Seems like I should use my 9€ ticket and visit Kassel this month.
@Morphior
Жыл бұрын
@@ninamarie177 good plan, I might do the same.
@grmpf
Жыл бұрын
On the other hand, if you go there during documenta, the crowds around the features might be so large that you won't be able to see much.
@stepheneyles2198
Жыл бұрын
@@Nooticus What happens if your bucket arrives sooner than 5 years? 😶
I'm not sure what surprised me more: the fact that people made this, or the fact that people made this 300 years ago. Excellent video as always, Tom! I'm excited for whatever you have planned next.
@iwatchwithnoads7480
Жыл бұрын
Do not take previous generations as incompetent. People made Egyptian pyramids thousands of years ago. Just because technology and knowledge is lost doesn't mean they didn't exist. So the more surprising thing really is that it *lasted* so long and functioning, not that it was made
@somerandomdragon558
Жыл бұрын
Or the fact that its still working after 300 years?
@finixHD
Жыл бұрын
its in kasel btw
@storminmormon8195
Жыл бұрын
IQ has been dropping the last 120 years so id be impressed how smarter engineers were back then
@mercy1441
Жыл бұрын
Research the Old World internet friend You’ll be surprised Start with the The World Fair 1800-1900 Structures that couldn’t be made today made by people in carriages (?)
Two months after watching the video, I happened to be in a situation where I could visit, and it was indeed magnificent! Do be advised, the actual show is only on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2:30pm.
Beauty is never a waste. It's awesome that we can build things that can be enjoyed by generations of people. I wish flowers got half the consideration that street cleaning gets.
Let's make a kickstarter for a fountain with a gigantic Tom Scott statue on it.
@duckph
Жыл бұрын
immediately supporting it with all my life savings
@hchskxnbcj
Жыл бұрын
Replace Herkules with Tom Scott you say?
@ZNotFound
Жыл бұрын
Make the Tom Scott statue itself spray out water.
@abbofun9022
Жыл бұрын
@@hchskxnbcj is there a difference?
@shashwatsharma2596
Жыл бұрын
@@ZNotFound from where?
It would have been nice to see more behind the scenes stuff here, like how it's all piped and filled and how high up the tank is to create the pressures and whatnot.
@Caldermologist
Жыл бұрын
That is explained in the video. It is filled during winter and spring, by snow and rain. Once the water has reached the bottom it is not pumped back up.
@graceygrumble
Жыл бұрын
Google is your friend! ;)
@luckynils9615
Жыл бұрын
Actually there isn't so much to see. I live about 100 meters away from the Bergpark where this is located. The Reservoir in the Videos is one of the few parts of the "inner working" Parts that anyone can see. Most of pipes are just buried and the valves are in simple holes in the ground. And because of the the planers wanted to make it seem like the Park is even bigger than it is, there are only a few sightlines an getting a feel for the scale of everything is even in person hard. In a museum are some Diagrams and maps, but even with those and growing up here it is really hard to wrap your head around what is where in relation to each other. As far as pressure build up ist concerned well the Reservoir for the fountain is about 60m higher than the "Fontänenteich"( The Fountain lake) hidden in the forest about 1 Km up the hill.
@curious_one1156
Жыл бұрын
And it uses valves as "pressure capacitors".
The Bergpark is amazing. There are so many spots off the waters main path where you can sit at waterfalls, in the shade of trees and just enjoy nature. Lots of different birds and even raccoons to watch. And if you stay away from the fountain you can enjoy it without seeing anybody. As if you were the nobleman, with exclusive usage rights :D Glad you liked it!
@Hipp0campus_1
Жыл бұрын
Don't forget the rose gardens where in spring time you can smell the roses, and often times marihuana too.
We have just visited the park today! At precisely 14:30 the plays start! The place was absolutely packed. And people were really all following the water to the different stations. The romantic parts are definitely my favourite!
Projects like that sure are vanity, but they can have enormously positive effects - not only because of their beautify for the general public but also because they can become tourist attractions which centuries later are visited by a KZreadr from the UK with millions of subscribers :' ) So, rich people, please take some inspiration!
@bacicinvatteneaca
Жыл бұрын
Tourism causes people to move around, we're trying to reduce transportation not increase it.
"Spiel" can both mean "game" and "play", in this case "play" would be the correct translation because the water gives something like a theater play for the visitors. The translation "games" would not make any sense here.
@Akuryoutaisan21
Жыл бұрын
Das stimmt
@Erelyes
Жыл бұрын
Yep. "spiel ein Spiel' - 'Play a game'
@georgejohnsmith
Жыл бұрын
"Water toy"? It is a big boys' toy.
@WitchKing99
Жыл бұрын
I agree on that but personally I never thought about "play". I always thought the -spiele in "Wasserspiele" comes from "Spielerei" which translates to gimmick/ shenanigans/ gadget.
@craftsmanwoodturner
Жыл бұрын
The English website for the Bergpark uses the translation "water features".
Thank you, Tom, for your countless concise videos providing a glimpse into all of these fascinating places (and topics) I would have otherwise never even knew existed. Your work is appreciated! -Kevin [Chicago, USA]
You came to my hometown of Kassel! I'm glad you enjoyed this engineering marvel and shared it with the world. If you can squeeze it into your travel plans, I'd highly suggest you come to Kassel this summer when documenta is happening. In this once-every-five-year art exhibit the entire city is transformed from a provincial center into somewhat of a world city. Hit me up if you'd like to get a tour from a Kassel native some time in June or July.
I agree, we have a disturbing lack of newly built pyramids
@btf_flotsam478
Жыл бұрын
The Luxor exists, what's your point?
@mablaba3629
Жыл бұрын
Uhh we're forgetting about the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid in Memphis Tennessee
@shacuras8201
Жыл бұрын
Honestly though, if I was Jeff Bezos, I would totally go and have a Pyramid built somewhere out in the desert as my tomb. You could even hire a bunch of archeologists: wanna try and find out how the Egyptians did it? Try it yourself! And then you have a monument to hopefully last the ages as well
@Jim26D
Жыл бұрын
@@shacuras8201 they actually were not burials chambers but energy devices similar to how the real tesla built wardencliff tower to transmit energy before jp Morgan destroyed it.
@Viroh
Жыл бұрын
@@Jim26D nice troll, tinfoil hats off to you sir
I really wish that someone somewhere in the world rich enough to do this is going to see this video and actually decide to take you up on that and build one, and maybe even invite you to the opening. If that ever happens, please make a video about it.
@Anderkent
Жыл бұрын
I bet it would be illegal, probably not even possible to get a zoning license for something like this
@TheHarcipoter
Жыл бұрын
It's not wealth barring it, but politics. You need city permits for it.
@Quotenwagnerianer
Жыл бұрын
Send it to Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, so that that instead of throwing away their money by travelling into space, they build something nice like this. ;)
@n1ppe
Жыл бұрын
@@Anderkent why would that be illegal and where? Doesn't make any sense
@Lord_Zed
Жыл бұрын
@@n1ppe because you can't just steal *all* the water from some river
I used to joke about how these Skyrim dungeons had complex lever riddles seemingly all mechanical in nature. After watching this, they might have been able to pull that off.
Thanks for showing this, Tom! I've actually got a tattoo booked in Kassel in September; needless to say, I'll be checking this out!
I wonder if there are actual rich people watching this and are willing to hear you out on this idea
@rollerskdude
Жыл бұрын
Heck I'm even down to buy your currently non existent merch right now!
@downstream0114
Жыл бұрын
There are dozens of (looks at bank account) _them_
@parkwayvocalist
Жыл бұрын
dont worry bro imma do it
@willgibson7478
Жыл бұрын
Naw. They're taking their backup super-yachts to Cannes.
@MolloyPolloy
Жыл бұрын
Maybe Jeff bezos will build a massive dildo shaped fountain. Continue the theme.
If I'm not mistaken, the grand fountains of the Peterhof palace in St. Petersburg work similarly, they're also gravity-powered miracles of fountain-technology. However, the horns on the Water-Games fountain are really something :0
@kelaarin
Жыл бұрын
Yep! Been there.
@Mammothina
Жыл бұрын
Russian here - can confirm
@owensmith7530
Жыл бұрын
I've visited the Peterhof water features, they're fantastic and are indeed gravity powered.
@sergnoff94
Жыл бұрын
Gonna make a road trip this weekend to visit Peterhoff. The fountains there are powered all season long since the water is gravity fed from a lake high above the park. So they don't need reservoirs.
@m.b.4165
Жыл бұрын
I was in St. Petersburg 2 years ago but didn't go to the fountains, dammit
This video brings me back to my essay on Villa d'Este and its thousands of fountains including its water organ are powered solely by water and gravity. People are really amazing that they achieved these hundred years ago.
I live literaly 60 minutes away from this magnificent sight and never even heard of it before. Thanks to you i now have a great idea where to go next.
I am German and I even live in Kassel (Where the Watergames are) and until now I did not know that they are powered purely by gravity. Thank you Tom Scott for enlightening my about my own hometown.
@Rianolca
Жыл бұрын
I am too and I didn't know about the horns...
@dranfall8520
Жыл бұрын
@@Rianolca Me neither :)
Love to see some Kassel represantation. It's a pity you didn't talk about the "beleuchtete Wasserspiele" ("lighted watergames"). Regularily, at night, the different parts of the Wasserspiele are lighted in different colours and it almost feels magical walking around at night along a stream of glowing water.
@metasaman
Жыл бұрын
Also, sometimes barock bands play music there in den pavillon. It's quite magical indeed.
This is the best suggestion I've seen, love it. I always dreamed of building just the most massive castle on top of a mountain.
truly a masterpiece. both the waterspiele and the video. 👏🏻👏🏻
I remember visiting Versailles, and they turned on the fountains as I was walking in the gardens. The whole ground rumbled. It was quite amazing!
@kosherkingofisrael6381
Жыл бұрын
I think sokin really likes you
I would argue that these works of vanity are very important for normies like me. When I go to these manors with spectacular gardens and fountains, it's very enjoyable. I don't feel jealous at all, I just appreciate that someone spent their wealth on something amazing that other people could enjoy.
@JamesTaylor-on9nz
Жыл бұрын
It hurts my soul that there isn't more sites like this everywhere. A perfect blend of man's genius and nature's beauty. Aesthetically, western countries have regressed badly since the 1800/1900s.
I agree. I read about things like the worlds fair in Paris where they literally built the most iconic piece of French architecture, and the world's tallest structure for the time, simply for the party. I miss when people filled the world with wonder.
It's a good thing someone found a use for gravity, it is mostly a nuisance
So cool seeing my hometown featured. Never thought I would see Tom make a video about it. Thanks for bringing attention on how amazing the Wasserspiele and Bergpark are. They also the Wasserspiele at night /starting at sunset with lots of lights in different colours. Ist called Beleuchtete Wasserspiele and is absoluty gorgeous.
@Konzertheld
Жыл бұрын
I love how they are actually just named "Beleuchtete Wasserspiele", not some fancy made-up title... just what it is
@samurai5910
Жыл бұрын
I am here. Just visited the park today. 😂
@Tobawa2601
Жыл бұрын
I just read that from 29.09 - 01.10 the Bergpark will have a new kind of event this year! They will turn the park into a illuminated dreamland, they say.
@aimpainz
Жыл бұрын
im shocked too
@moonman8450
Жыл бұрын
Göttinger hier 😂 Hallo Nachbar
dam German engineering never ceases to amaze me, even 300 year old fountains
@LemonbreadSC
Жыл бұрын
Ha, dam, I see what you did there
@raifikarj6698
Жыл бұрын
Not only that it was different project from each generation becoming 1 and complete the water game that finally finish in the last part
@fabiankaisen5977
Жыл бұрын
If you like old fountains, Villa d’Este in Tivoli, just outside Rome, has some that are even older (400+ years). Highly recommend!
@satakrionkryptomortis
Жыл бұрын
some old time rich volk had to get something to stay happy
@comicalsansms8238
Жыл бұрын
Rudol von Stroheim approves of this message.
I have been there! It is an awesome place for a picnic. It was a lovely drive from where I lived near Bielefeld. I had no idea that the history of the Wasserspiele was so interesting.
The noise the fountain trumpets made was really cool
Crazy to think that rich folks used to build museums, libraries, and universities. Now it’s just mega yachts and space tourism
@edenassos
Жыл бұрын
What makes you think rich people are not still doing those things?
@droppedpasta
Жыл бұрын
@@edenassos That’s a fair point, totally an assumption on my part. Confirmation bias possibly. Thanks for helping me reframe my thoughts
@WouldntULikeToKnow.
Жыл бұрын
@@edenassos because they're not.
@WouldntULikeToKnow.
Жыл бұрын
@@Unknown_Genius we could always use more museums and especially libraries, and boost funding for the ones we already have. They don't all have to be grand like the Met in NYC.
@Rishabh-Dev
Жыл бұрын
People back then had a spine and showed gratitude towards important persons. Scientists, philosopher, inventors were the rockstar of that era. ✌️ But now it's all messes up. Just consider yourself lucky that Elite classes are not straight up reducing human population. 😆
Spectacular, fun, built to last for centuries, and crucially: freely open to the public.
So cool that even back in the day they used the sound and made it look like it was intentional so amazing 👏
Magnificent art like this does definitely improve the world.
Not to mention, water breeds life! A water feature attracts all kinds of wild animals and helps plants thrive. They are really good for the environment in addition to all the other great things you mentioned!
@latrodectusmactans7592
Жыл бұрын
Somewhat agreed. You have to be very careful with water because water has to come from somewhere and go somewhere. A water feature not well designed becomes a stagnant sewer or a horrific waste. Both can cause serious damage to the environment.
@pux0rb
Жыл бұрын
@@latrodectusmactans7592 Very true; fair points.
@lucasrobin2788
Жыл бұрын
ehh, generally speaking it's ecologically best to leave water alone. Every gallon of water that passes through here is a gallon being drained from a lake upriver. Every metre of pipework in this structure used to be a metre of riverbed.
@theunstoppablecomingofspring
Жыл бұрын
Climate change isn't real
@benvoliothefirst
Жыл бұрын
@@lucasrobin2788 Maybe in the desert. Even there, reclamation projects are refilling aquifers. There's no water shortage in Germany right now.
It's so weird to see a Tom Scott video about the town I live in. To everyone visiting, the view from the top is spectacular and worth going up by itself, even without the fountains doing their stuff.
@jumpwithe2454
Жыл бұрын
Kassel gang :P
@svenj9997
Жыл бұрын
This is absolutely surreal so see pop up in my recommendations and realize "this is my hometown"
I'm fascinated by follies and grottos and other weird things built just because someone felt like it. We don't have enough things like that in the US!
OMG ❤ I found this searching for how fountains worked in the past - I actually feel sad for whomever was lucky enough to watch it that they did'nt have the technology to film it as well!
I can also recommend the “wasserspiel” (they translated it to Trick fountain) at Schloss Hellbrun in Salzburg! I’m amazed every time i go there!
There is something magical about well made, elaborate fountains.
@user-kx7ls8ds9j
Жыл бұрын
Now imagine they illuminate them colorful at night. Which is what they do at this place. You should check out pictures of it
@whyjnot420
Жыл бұрын
@@user-kx7ls8ds9j Honestly, I don't care for light effects in fountains. I know it takes time, effort and skill to add them properly. And I can appreciate the work that goes into integrating light shows into fountains. But for me personally it is all about what you can do with the water. I don't have issue with things like computer controlled fountains, but that tends to be hidden. Oh and I bet you are correct I bet it can look great. But for me I would look at it once and go "nifty" and never care about it again. I am of the same opinion on things like the Eiffel Tower. The light shows they have there are the definition of kitsch to me. That tower is glorious in its own right. (not to mention some outright uptight assholery when it comes to copyrights of those)
@user-kx7ls8ds9j
Жыл бұрын
@@whyjnot420 oh well Interpreted the “magical” not as you meant then. Plus, the lighting is more around the bridges and not necessarily the fountains. Still, water flowing of course. But I liked it because of the mix of nature and old architecture in special lighting. Guess it offers more for different people
@whyjnot420
Жыл бұрын
@@user-kx7ls8ds9j Think in terms of someone from the countryside coming into classical rome and seeing rather elaborate fountains everywhere. That is all the magic I need. Go to far and it turns into wannabe Disney.
What an amazing place! i'm so glad to have been introduced to this.
Ha! This is actually the town I was born in, we used to hang out in that park when I was a teenager. Kassel might not be the most famous spot but there's one or two reasons to pay a visit. Thanks for remind me, it indeed brings back memories.
Me after mechanical elephant: Well, that’s it, all the niche but interesting topics have been visited by Tom. Tom Scott: Fetch me my red T-shirt..
@Sofus.
Жыл бұрын
There is a giant harry potter castle in the park which has been renovated for the last 5-10 years
Related but can we also bring back the public parks that house these fountains and water plays? Because not only could you flex your wealth but also create a public service that will be enjoyed for generations. Why own a giant mansion that's filled to the brim with expensive furniture and paintings if nobody can see it?
This is the fascinating stuff I subscribed for. Another amazing hidden gem!!
Saw the thumbnail, immediately thought "Wilhelmshöhe". My late Grandpa used to take me there as often as possible. Mind-boggling masterpiece.
Wow, Tom Scott was at my home town. When clicking on the video I already half exspected that it might be about Kassel, but I was absolutely flashed nonetheless when it really was. Thanks for the great Video as always:)
Throughout history it has generally been merchants, landowners, and rulers who would commission works of art. I hope that this can continue into the future as spending extra money on cultural works is also an important part of our society.
@Friek555
Жыл бұрын
Today, a lot of art is publically funded, which seems much more fair and democratic than leaving the commissioning of art to rich people.
@NightmareRex6
Жыл бұрын
when lived in massachusits thaere was a bunch artwork including this golfball machine that was featured in a mathbook and was tore down in the 0s when another rich guy baught the building , tore down all the artwork.
@rightwingsafetysquad9872
Жыл бұрын
@@Friek555 The majority of the publicly funded art I've seen is rather pathetic or even ugly compared to the private patronage of Renaissance Italy, Germany, and France. "Democratic" is a nice sounding buzzword, but what we really want is good art.
@Woodside235
Жыл бұрын
@@Friek555 I'd like to make a counterpoint though (and I'm simply playing devil's advocate here) -- rich people commissioning stuff like this do it to make something they like, and there's often more authenticity behind it, vs publicly funded artworks being designed and approved by committee which can be a bit soulless and results in works everyone can tolerate but that no one _loves._
@Muenni
Жыл бұрын
@@Woodside235 Why would a committee actually design the artwork? And why would only commissioned art be worthwhile, not artworks created by an artist and sold to a public museum instead of a private collector? Are the works displayed in a commercial art gallery all more loved and authentic than those in a modern exhibition of an art museum? Why would the artists receiving a grant from a public foundation pour less of their love into their works than the 'artists' using an open-source algorithm fed with portraits of some old noblemen to print out trash sold at Christie's?
This is incredible, never seen this particular location until now. I feel like we underestimate what humans hundreds of years ago were capable of. For anyone interested another location that blew my mind was the Apennine colossus statue build in the 16th century.
So cool you featured it, Kassel is my Hometown and the Bergpark is one of my favourite Places!
1000% agree that building massive gardens and decorative waterworks should come back in style.
I lived in Kassel for several years - great seeing you making a video about the Wasserspiele.
This is so so cool!!! and the trumpets! genius!
The horns were the coolest thing for me in this video, did not expect that when watching a video about a weird fountain!
Ultra-wealthy - 'Nah. I'll just buy another boat'.
I read that the fountains at Versailles were gravity-fed, and I could never work out how they did it. Still not much more of a clue after watching this! I'll have to look up how to make one for my garden ...
I've seen the Kassel Wasserspiele. It's spectacular and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Tom, you always sound like you're trying to convince a local sheriff that you just saw a werewolf.
It also sends back money into the economy. Having artists, plumbers, engineers and architects earning money instead of sending that money into another big international corporation that makes cars.
i live there, and because the title didnt give it away directly, i almost instantly went "huh this place seems so familiar" ^^
You absolutely need to cover the amazing insanity that is the Bayernhof Museum in Pittsburgh. Ostensibly described as a music box museum it is the single most insanely amazing tour of a location I've ever done.
This is amazing, I loved the video. Thank you!
I really liked those overgrown waterfalls! It is has that natural charm to it! I am like enough to live close to Petergof so i saw it shiny gold “wasserspiele” many times, but this one is refreshing to see :)
There's a similar one in Salzburg Austria where the Prince-Bishop built the whole garden and route with the intention of spraying his guests! Well worth a visit!
That horn feature is such a flex
I love the trumpet, that's just ingenious.
You’ve made me passionate about civil engineering. Probably won’t do anything with that passion but your videos have made me think about the world and city I live in way differently, along with a greater appreciation (and frustration) for the architecture and infrastructure around us. Thank you for everything you make. P.S. I absolutely LOVE the technology videos you make, along with the visions of the future and the talks you’ve done.
Watergames and watersports are two VERY VERY different things.
I'm from the United States. The amount of history from other countries simply astounds!!! That is the the most positive thing about KZread!!!!! Please never stop what you are doing Scott... It is so very valuable and important!!!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰
Great, now I need to deep dive into how these work.