If an alien located on a planet 100 light years from here was to switch on a big, multi-frequency radio receiver, and record all the noises coming from outer space for the next hundred years, on all frequencies, how many soap operas, advertisements and new broadcasts would they pick up from Earth? Would a mass-market radio, similar to our Earthly equivalents, pick up anything? Over time, as the number of Earth transmissions increases exponentially, would the alien pick up a cacophony or a damp fizzle? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Feb 23, 2012 - 10 answers

I have come to realize that I am terrible at planning in most areas of my life: education, finance, events, daily tasks etc. How do I become better at looking ahead, seeing what's coming and acting now so that the future doesn't suck? [more inside]
posted by talkingmuffin on Dec 28, 2011 - 8 answers

Identify a book for my girlfriend please. Read in the mid 90's maybe had 'children' in the title. Sci-fi novel about children held captive with woman in a castle after being placed with her through a government forced foster system (children are lent out to childless people for one month). They survive nuclear meltdown and years after by being put into suspended animation. [more inside]
posted by Uncle on Aug 9, 2009 - 5 answers

Please point me to some examples of people/characters imploring their future selves not to forget, diminish, or dismiss the experiences of the present self. [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Apr 20, 2009 - 21 answers

What is it called when you can't imagine the past or the future? [more inside]
posted by unknowncommand on Jan 27, 2008 - 9 answers

I'm on the hunt for sites and/or blogs about big ideas... Who wants to join me? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jul 9, 2006 - 17 answers