# Mindfulness Clock OF DOOM ## Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHrBcGeEwwQ ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/554/medium800/arduino_graveYard-faceplate-red.jpg?1470245448) It’s not pleasant thinking about one’s mortality, but that’s the point of this clock design: perspective. To make one aware of the passage of time and **how precious each minute is**. Use an **online calculator** (some links below) to gauge your **life expectancy** , then plug that date into our code for this clock project. You’ll get a running count of how many minutes you have left. Or you can pick another event with a date of your choosing…the return of Halley’s comet (28 July 2061), a predicted date for the [technological singularity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity) (2045 according to Ray Kurzweil), a favorite future moment from science fiction, you name it. As you look at the clock, remember that you are _never_ getting those minutes back. Stop watching internet cat videos and  **make the most of them!** Here’s a few links to life expectancy calculators that can provide a final date. If one’s not working (or you don’t like their prediction), try the next: - [**The Death Clock**](https://www.death-clock.org) - [**Death Timer**](http://www.deathtimer.com) - [**Find Your Fate Death Clock**](http://www.findyourfate.com/deathmeter/deathmtr.html) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/198/medium800/arduino_cicruit-parts.jpg?1469399333) # Parts and Tools - **[Adafruit Pro Trinket](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2000)**, either the **[5V](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2000)** or **[3V](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2010)** version will work, whichever is in stock (with your own enclosure, the code can also work with most ATmega 328P-based microcontrollers such as an Arduino Uno…but NOT 32u4-based boards like the Arduino Leonardo or Adafruit Feather 32u4, nor ATtiny-based boards. The code relies on hardware-specific features.) - [**DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout**](https://www.adafruit.com/products/3013) (or other **DS3231** realtime clock breakout board, such as the [MaceTech ChronoDot](https://www.adafruit.com/products/255) — again, will need your own enclosure) - [**CR1220 Lithium coin cell battery**](https://www.adafruit.com/products/380) for RTC. If you can pick this up locally at a nearby drugstore or Radio Shack, do that! This may slow down your shipment otherwise, due to safety regulations with batteries. - **2** (two) [**0.56" 4-digit 7-segment LED displays with I2C backpack**](https://www.adafruit.com/products/878) (any color — mix or match!) - [**USB power supply**](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1995) (or use an old MicroUSB phone charger if you’ve got one) - **Optional: [Perma-Proto board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1608)** for splitting connections. - **3D printer** and **filament** …or **design your own** enclosure with materials and tools that best suit your abilities. - [M2 x .4 x 4mm Phillips Flat Head Machine Screws](http://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/2MM-x-4-Phillips-Flat-Head-Machine-Screw-p/1011-1000.htm?1=1&CartID=0) You will also need a **soldering iron** and related paraphernalia, some wire, etc. **Read through the whole guide** before planning any acquisitions. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/034/559/medium800thumb/arduino_timeLoopGY-RED.jpg?1470246229) # Realistic Expectations This is an **art piece** and should not be taken too seriously. Any longevity calculation is loosely based on statistical probabilities; reality will vary, and _we really hope you’ll long outlive your clock!_ Of course, unforseen events could happen too. Giant meteor, Cthulu may call, or Drillcat…no clock can predict these surprises. ![arduino_drillcat.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/033/687/medium640/arduino_drillcat.jpg?1468028828) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/mindfulness-clock-of-doom/3d-printing.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit Pro Trinket - 5V 16MHz [Adafruit Pro Trinket - 5V 16MHz](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2000) **Deprecation Warning: The Pro Trinket bit-bang USB technique it uses doesn't work as well as it did in 2014, many modern computers won't work well. So while we still carry the Pro Trinket so that people can maintain some older projets, we no longer recommend it.** Please... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2000) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2000/guides) ### Adafruit Pro Trinket - 3V 12MHz [Adafruit Pro Trinket - 3V 12MHz](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2010) **Deprecation Warning: The Pro Trinket bit-bang USB technique it uses doesn't work as well as it did in 2014, many modern computers won't work well. So while we still carry the Pro Trinket so that people can maintain some older projets, we no longer recommend it.** Please... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2010) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2010/guides) ### Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout [Adafruit DS3231 Precision RTC Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3013) The datasheet for the **DS3231** explains that this part is an "Extremely Accurate I²C-Integrated RTC/TCXO/Crystal". And, hey, it does exactly what it says on the tin! This **Real Time Clock (RTC)** is the most precise you can get in a small, low power... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3013) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3013/guides) ### CR1220 12mm Diameter - 3V Lithium Coin Cell Battery [CR1220 12mm Diameter - 3V Lithium Coin Cell Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/380) These are the highest quality & capacity batteries, the same as shipped with the iCufflinks, iNecklace, Datalogging and GPS Shields, GPS HAT, etc. One battery per order (you'll want one battery per cufflink or pendant.) Brand may vary but all battery brands are verified... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/380) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/380/guides) ### 5V 2.5A Switching Power Supply with 20AWG MicroUSB Cable [5V 2.5A Switching Power Supply with 20AWG MicroUSB Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1995) Our all-in-one 5V 2.5 Amp + MicroUSB cable power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry! This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1995) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1995/guides) ### Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display with I2C Backpack - Red [Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display with I2C Backpack - Red](https://www.adafruit.com/product/878) What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/878) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/878/guides) ### Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display w/I2C Backpack - Yellow [Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display w/I2C Backpack - Yellow](https://www.adafruit.com/product/879) What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/879) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/879/guides) ### Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display w/ I2C Backpack - Green [Adafruit 0.56" 4-Digit 7-Segment Display w/ I2C Backpack - Green](https://www.adafruit.com/product/880) What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/880) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/880/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit LED Backpacks](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-led-backpack.md) - [Raspberry Pi Physical Dashboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-physical-dashboard.md) - [DeLorean Time Circuit](https://learn.adafruit.com/delorean-time-circuit.md) - [Metro Minimalist Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/metro-minimalist-clock.md) - [Bluetooth LE MIDI Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluetooth-le-midi-controller.md) - [Roll-up Video Light](https://learn.adafruit.com/roll-up-video-light.md) - [CircuitPython Hardware: LED Backpacks & FeatherWings](https://learn.adafruit.com/micropython-hardware-led-backpacks-and-featherwings.md) - [I2C Addresses and Troublesome Chips](https://learn.adafruit.com/i2c-addresses.md) - [DotStar Pi Painter](https://learn.adafruit.com/dotstar-pi-painter.md) - [Ray Gun Blaster](https://learn.adafruit.com/ray-gun-blaster.md) - [Wireless BLE MIDI Robot Xylophone](https://learn.adafruit.com/wireless-ble-midi-robot-xylophone.md) - [MX MIDI Guitar](https://learn.adafruit.com/mx-midi-guitar.md) - [Wizzy: A Needle Felted Cat](https://learn.adafruit.com/wizzy-a-needle-felted-cat.md) - [Tap Tempo Trinket](https://learn.adafruit.com/tap-tempo-trinket.md) - [Adafruit USB Host BFF](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-usb-host-bff.md)