|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 4:14 pm
For my Ancient Science and Technology class, for one of our assignments, we are presented with a scenario in which we have access to a time machine. Using the machine, we may take a one-way trip to the past, and we can bring a 1 cubic metre container full of whatever we like. Given the nature of the class, we can only go back to 500 AD or earlier in the Mediterranean region. We have to describe what we will do when we get there, and what we will bring along to help us accomplish that goal. To make the assignment easier, we're pretending that we already can read, write, and speak the language of the region and time. razz
I have some ideas about what to bring, but I'm curious about the rest of you.
If you could go back in time, where and when would you go? My assignment is focused on the Mediterranean, but for the sake of the thread, you're welcome to suggest anywhere and any time in the past.
What would you bring with you, and what would you want to do when you get there?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 8:41 pm
Would we have a trip back? And must we already possess the item, or can it be anything?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:16 pm
Matasoga Would we have a trip back? And must we already possess the item, or can it be anything? Hmmm. For my assignment, it's a one-way trip, so I'll stick with that, although if you have thoughts about how you'd do the trip differently if there was a return ticket, you're welcome to share them. However, you don't have to already possess the item, it just needs to exist in 2013. 3nodding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:54 pm
Honestly, that far back, I can think of few to no things that I'd really want to do. I can only think of things later than that... But if I think further on down the line of causality, I'd try and put myself in the right time and place to be a disciple of Christ. I'd then speak with him at length, privately and find out what he had to say about homosexuality and abortion. Whatever he had to say would alter little about what I would have planned to write. I'd also emphasize the "peace" aspect of the man and try to get a few new choice sound bytes about that. That's what the Gospel according to Joshua would be all about.
As for my item... Probably a small, concealable handgun, the rest of the allowable space filled with bullets (assuming that I had enough time to use the thing before I went) and one cyanide capsule. This may fly in the face of both what I had to say earlier as well as my liberal ideology, but both of those can only exist in a world where I'm reasonably certain that I won't meet my end by crucifixion.
...Or so I like to say. If I'm being honest, I wouldn't put my life into improving a world that I'd never get the chance to see. Really, I'd try to find a time and place where bringing either a modern weapon or some similar technological marvel would allow me to live a life of pure hedonism.
What can I say? I'm not a hero.
Then again, my answers for what I would do in a later period might be more helpful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:19 pm
Matasoga Honestly, that far back, I can think of few to no things that I'd really want to do. I can only think of things later than that... But if I think further on down the line of causality, I'd try and put myself in the right time and place to be a disciple of Christ. I'd then speak with him at length, privately and find out what he had to say about homosexuality and abortion. Whatever he had to say would alter little about what I would have planned to write. I'd also emphasize the "peace" aspect of the man and try to get a few new choice sound bytes about that. That's what the Gospel according to Joshua would be all about. As for my item... Probably a small, concealable handgun, the rest of the allowable space filled with bullets (assuming that I had enough time to use the thing before I went) and one cyanide capsule. This may fly in the face of both what I had to say earlier as well as my liberal ideology, but both of those can only exist in a world where I'm reasonably certain that I won't meet my end by crucifixion. ...Or so I like to say. If I'm being honest, I wouldn't put my life into improving a world that I'd never get the chance to see. Really, I'd try to find a time and place where bringing either a modern weapon or some similar technological marvel would allow me to live a life of pure hedonism. What can I say? I'm not a hero. Then again, my answers for what I would do in a later period might be more helpful. It's interesting, because I actually considered that time period (when Jesus was apparently teaching) for my assignment. It would be nice to know what actually happened, since we really don't know. But given the one-way nature of my trip, it wouldn't really matter, outside of satisfying my own curiosity. As a side note, the idea of a Gospel of Joshua is actually kind of amusing since the name "Jesus" is a Greek translation of Yeshua, which I believe is the origin of your name. So it would be both your Gospel and Jesus', really. x3 I ended up choosing to visit Rome in 5 BC. The city had some pretty good infrastructure for the time (hey, plumbing of sorts! always a plus), and hopefully I could figure out some way to make a living that doesn't involve farming or being a soldier. If worse came to worse, being educated, I could probably sell myself into slavery and be a teacher or something. Among the items I chose to bring back were: Advil, topical antibiotic ointment, about 20 tubes of toothpaste and a few toothbrushes, a screwdriver (with changeable bits) and a bag of screws (since they didn't exist at the time), some superglue, and a few bags of spices to sell (cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and some chilis to introduce to the Romans). If there's a different period of time that you'd rather visit (either as a one-way trip or return), please share. I have a guess (although not one that I'm too confident about) as to when you might choose to visit, but I would like to know for sure. biggrin Personally, if I wasn't being forced to pick a time in antiquity, I'd rather go a bit further ahead and visit Italy during the Renaissance. See if I could meet Da Vinci and like, seduce him or something. ninja
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 11:39 pm
Taeryyn As a side note, the idea of a Gospel of Joshua is actually kind of amusing since the name "Jesus" is a Greek translation of Yeshua, which I believe is the origin of your name. So it would be both your Gospel and Jesus', really. x3 Indeed. I was in fact aware of that. Argue the significance and implication of that, theologians. I'm already ******** up some s**t. Quote: I ended up choosing to visit Rome in 5 BC. The city had some pretty good infrastructure for the time (hey, plumbing of sorts! always a plus), and hopefully I could figure out some way to make a living that doesn't involve farming or being a soldier. If worse came to worse, being educated, I could probably sell myself into slavery and be a teacher or something. Among the items I chose to bring back were: Advil, topical antibiotic ointment, about 20 tubes of toothpaste and a few toothbrushes, a screwdriver (with changeable bits) and a bag of screws (since they didn't exist at the time), some superglue, and a few bags of spices to sell (cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and some chilis to introduce to the Romans). Not a bad idea. Salt was worth it's weight in silver at one point, I recall. Quote: If there's a different period of time that you'd rather visit (either as a one-way trip or return), please share. I have a guess (although not one that I'm too confident about) as to when you might choose to visit, but I would like to know for sure. biggrin Yeah. I'd like to bring the weight limit in tiny gold jewelry to my house, thirty seconds ago... Assuming that meeting myself wouldn't cause any problems. If it would, then I'd like to do the same thing several hours ago. I could then just wait for the me that was still here to travel into the future, and step in to take his place, and decide where best to pawn it off. Yes, there are more valuable metals, but most would be dangerous to keep (as if you have too much valuables and word gets out, it might just become worthwhile to break into your house and take it)... And others are highly carcinogenic. I've got a plan though. I'd split it up and visit pawn shops all over the city. If anyone asks, my wealthy grandmother died recently and left them to me, and I have massive student loan debt. Part of that is even true. Quote: Personally, if I wasn't being forced to pick a time in antiquity, I'd rather go a bit further ahead and visit Italy during the Renaissance. See if I could meet Da Vinci and like, seduce him or something. ninja Those were good times to be gay and appreciate brilliance. The church that today demonizes you was then commissioning incredibly homoerotic statues that they treasure to this day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 11:55 pm
Matasoga [Indeed. I was in fact aware of that. Argue the significance and implication of that, theologians. I'm already ******** up some s**t. Since you're an atheist, could we call you an antiChrist? Quote: Not a bad idea. Salt was worth it's weight in silver at one point, I recall. And now they spread it all over Canadian roads in the winter so that we can drive like idiots, but with traction. Quote: Yeah. I'd like to bring the weight limit in tiny gold jewelry to my house, thirty seconds ago... Assuming that meeting myself wouldn't cause any problems. If it would, then I'd like to do the same thing several hours ago. I could then just wait for the me that was still here to travel into the future, and step in to take his place, and decide where best to pawn it off. Yes, there are more valuable metals, but most would be dangerous to keep (as if you have too much valuables and word gets out, it might just become worthwhile to break into your house and take it)... And others are highly carcinogenic. I've got a plan though. I'd split it up and visit pawn shops all over the city. If anyone asks, my wealthy grandmother died recently and left them to me, and I have massive student loan debt. Part of that is even true. o.O This never would have even occurred to me. It's a good plan. Quote: Those were good times to be gay and appreciate brilliance. The church that today demonizes you was then commissioning incredibly homoerotic statues that they treasure to this day. Treasure...and polish carefully. While confessing their naughty, naughty sins to each other. Lemonparty with frocks and rosaries.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2013 1:10 am
Taeryyn xd Since you're an atheist, could we call you an antiChrist? Actually I'm agnostic. So uh... I guess the Maybe-Christ. Quote: And now they spread it all over Canadian roads in the winter so that we can drive like idiots, but with traction. I think that was table salt, not rock salt. Quote: o.O This never would have even occurred to me. It's a good plan. Ethnically speaking, I'm Jewish. Thus that airplane wing sticking out of my face that I call a nose. See if we have money, we tend to be good with it. If we don't have money, we think about what we'd do if we had money... But I think that's my limit for acceptable Jewish jokes, with me not being a practicing Jew. Quote: Treasure...and polish carefully. While confessing their naughty, naughty sins to each other. Lemonparty with frocks and rosaries. Why are those rosary beads so big and round? If there is a hell, I'll see you there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 1:48 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
