The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Page thirty three
"Two Faces of Nebuchadnezzar: From Ancient Earth King to Galactic
Bureaucratic Measure"
**Nebuchadnezzar**
When it comes to Nebuchadnezzar, confusion abounds in the galaxy -
mostly because beings from different planets tend to think of utterly
different things when they hear the word. For the sake of clarity,
this entry will distinguish between the two most prevalent
associations: Nebuchadnezzar the ancient Earth king, and
Nebuchadnezzar the standard galactic unit of measurement for the
improbable density of bureaucrats per cubic office space.
**Nebuchadnezzar the Ancient Earth King**
Nebuchadnezzar II reigned as king of Babylon, an ancient civilization
on Earth, from approximately 605 BC to 562 BC. His most notable
achievements include the construction of the Hanging Gardens of
Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, designed to
soothe his homesick wife. Galactic tourists visiting Earth are often
disappointed to find that not only have the Hanging Gardens vanished,
but no one thought to keep even a hologram of them. However, replicas
can be found in numerous theme parks across the Xyston Cluster, where
they are generally considered to be 87% as impressive as the original
and only occasionally eaten by herbivorous local wildlife.
Nebuchadnezzar was also known for his dreams, which caused quite a
stir, especially one involving a giant statue made of various metals
smashed by a rock. This has inspired countless interpretations, art
pieces, and at least three galactic operas, one of which involves the
statue coming to life and embarking on a surprisingly poignant career
in terracotta gardening.
**Nebuchadnezzar as a Unit of Measurement**
In the more bureaucratic corners of the galaxy, a "Nebuchadnezzar&q
uot; has come to signify the improbable density of bureaucrats within
a cubic office space. This unit varies from planet to planet and is
dependent on the local gravitational force, the average size of a
bureaucrat (scaled for the presence of tentacles, if applicable), and
the volume of paperwork required to obtain a permit for measuring
bureaucratic densities in the first place.
One Nebuchadnezzar (Nb) is defined as the point at which the paperwork
generated by a single bureaucratic entity achieves critical mass,
causing an administrative black hole. This phenomenon is characterized
by the disappearance of all forms, applications, and sometimes junior
staff into a singularity from which no productivity can escape. This
is generally considered a bad thing, except on planets where
bureaucratic inefficiency is celebrated as a form of high art.
In conclusion, whether you find yourself pondering ancient human kings
or navigating the perilous landscapes of galactic administration, the
concept of Nebuchadnezzar stands as a testament to humanity's enduring
legacy: an impressive knack for constructing both literal and
metaphorical edifices that are remembered long after their era has
passed. Always remember to check the context when someone references
Nebuchadnezzar, or you might end up studying ancient Earth history
when you were actually trying to navigate the office planning laws of
Betelgeuse VII.
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