This is a portrait of National Debt Clock, showing constantly updated US public debt and each American family shares of that debt(picture taken in April 19, 2008). This clock is located at Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) in Manhattan, New York City. Its Seymour Durst, who wanted to highlight US public debt, on 1989, sponsoring the idea to install the first clock on 42nd Street close to Times Square. In 2004, the clock was replaced by the new identical present clock. Seymour Durst who concerned with US public debt erected the first clock when US public debt was still around US$ 3 trillion. Now the clock that outlived Seymour Durst (died in 1995) is showing US$ public debt exceeds US$ 10 trillion, with each American family share US$ 86 thousand (It had run out its number). Seymour's son Douglas taking over responsibility for the clock through the Durst Organization.
First clock which could not run backward was dismantled on 2004 from 42nd Street and replaced by new clock which could run backwards on Durst Building, a block away from its original location (on at 1133 Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue)). The clock was mounted on side wall of building facing W 44th street. This clock run out its digit on September 30, 2008, when the debt exceeded US$ 10 trillion. An overhaul to add two more digits was planned and expected to be completed in 2009.
Well, this clock has a role as symbol or metaphor, especially when the value is constantly increasing. Even if there are many arguments that even if US public debt is largest of the world, its ratio to GDP is 73%, Japan more than 100%, etc., etc., …. Living in land of debt is not so comfortable. Above is a real time US Public Debt on US National Debt Clock.org
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