You in 4000 BC
March 1, 2010 2:22 AM Subscribe
With the announcement of Civilization V, I've been pondering what I (me, personally) could do if I were to be transported back in time to the dawn of civilization (let's say 4000 BC, when Civilization starts). What would you (that's you, right now, reading this at this very moment - with no further study or reference) do to improve humankind?
My thoughts on this would be that there's relatively little that I would be able to do for the first few years at the least, because of the fact that I know none of the ancient languages, I would be a complete stranger (and thus have no status in society), and be woefully prepared to survive out in the relative wilderness of 4000 BC, and be in a totally different headspace (let's just say I wouldn't count on justice, logic and common sense of the 20th century to be in place back then).
The best I scenario I can think of is to be at the fringe of some society until I learn enough of my language to be able to make a rudimentary "printing press" to duplicate messages on clay (at least initially - I can't imagine trying to convince ancient people to take perfectly good wood and reduce it to a pulp to make paper with). Then I would try to open a school or two, then try to open a postal service.
I'm aware of this post, and the somewhat famous poster that have been going around, but I'm curious to know what you can do.
My thoughts on this would be that there's relatively little that I would be able to do for the first few years at the least, because of the fact that I know none of the ancient languages, I would be a complete stranger (and thus have no status in society), and be woefully prepared to survive out in the relative wilderness of 4000 BC, and be in a totally different headspace (let's just say I wouldn't count on justice, logic and common sense of the 20th century to be in place back then).
The best I scenario I can think of is to be at the fringe of some society until I learn enough of my language to be able to make a rudimentary "printing press" to duplicate messages on clay (at least initially - I can't imagine trying to convince ancient people to take perfectly good wood and reduce it to a pulp to make paper with). Then I would try to open a school or two, then try to open a postal service.
I'm aware of this post, and the somewhat famous poster that have been going around, but I'm curious to know what you can do.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Its not clear there is a question to be answered here and, as such, comes across as chatfilter -- vacapinta
I were to be transported back in time to the dawn of civilization (let's say 4000 BC, when Civilization starts). What would you (that's you, right now, reading this at this very moment - with no further study or reference) do to improve humankind?
Hey, man, look here at these stone tablets that I found up on the mountain in some bush that was consumed by fire but did not burn. These tablets contain the Word of God.
It says "There is no God. You're on your own. Make the best of it."
That is all.
posted by three blind mice at 2:43 AM on March 1, 2010
Hey, man, look here at these stone tablets that I found up on the mountain in some bush that was consumed by fire but did not burn. These tablets contain the Word of God.
It says "There is no God. You're on your own. Make the best of it."
That is all.
posted by three blind mice at 2:43 AM on March 1, 2010
More than likely, physically you'd be a giant, most likely a good deal taller due to your upbringing and diet as a child. You'd make strange grunting noises that no one could understand. I doubt even the fringe would take you in. More than likely, you'd have to hide, then appear suddenly with wonders and majesty, and knowing the language. First up on your list of tricks, wheels (if they don't have them yet), domesticating animals (horses for labor and transport, farm animals) and breeding them selectively to harness desired traits, better metal than whatever they've currently got going, and some form of simple written language that is easy to master.
After that, you can work on introducing math, scientific methodology, and the steps needed to produce a proper gin and tonic (the quinine would be for the malaria, of course). Along the way, you'd need to get penicillin up and going, improve cleanliness and sewage.
And then you'd probably die from lockjaw. Lots of sharp rusty things in the past.
posted by Ghidorah at 2:44 AM on March 1, 2010
After that, you can work on introducing math, scientific methodology, and the steps needed to produce a proper gin and tonic (the quinine would be for the malaria, of course). Along the way, you'd need to get penicillin up and going, improve cleanliness and sewage.
And then you'd probably die from lockjaw. Lots of sharp rusty things in the past.
posted by Ghidorah at 2:44 AM on March 1, 2010
I'd be sunk. There's not much use for a programmer in 4000BC.
posted by Xany at 3:40 AM on March 1, 2010
posted by Xany at 3:40 AM on March 1, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cromagnon at 2:36 AM on March 1, 2010