How would you do?
- Thread starter tom
- Start date
David S Poepoe
Banned
Probably pretty bad. One has to realistically consider the immediate hurdles of language barrier, external conditions upon arrival, time of arrival, society that you arrived in, etc. Its always been said that one should know how to make gunpowder in chase of being 'warped' to an ATL, but besides that how many of us actually know how to completely make something (with the exception of wkwillis) from start to finish and be able to replicate it to any great amount that will actually benefit our survival?
Catapulted alone, one will probably find themselves (if they survive past one week) being considered a crazy fool touched in the head by God. However, the difference is when one is time catapulted enmass or with somebody else. The chances of survival increase dramatically. I can think of about 2-3 series where there was one person that transported, the Lord Conrad series immediately comes to mind. The stories where a group has been transported, such as the '1632' or 'Lost Regiment series', the advances are much more believable since there is a multitude of individuals from which to draw knowledge and experience from.
Catapulted alone, one will probably find themselves (if they survive past one week) being considered a crazy fool touched in the head by God. However, the difference is when one is time catapulted enmass or with somebody else. The chances of survival increase dramatically. I can think of about 2-3 series where there was one person that transported, the Lord Conrad series immediately comes to mind. The stories where a group has been transported, such as the '1632' or 'Lost Regiment series', the advances are much more believable since there is a multitude of individuals from which to draw knowledge and experience from.
Well, with a tech level in the mid-20th century there isn't all that much any of us could teach them (unless that someone happens to have a very good grounding in aerodynamics, industrial chemistry, semiconductor technology, or pharmaceuticals - I mean academic teaching/research level, so as to be able to understand their terminology and frame of reference and be able to create demonstrably working designs/specimens for them to duplicate).
However, with a deviation in 1604, Ebnglish, while not necessarily a major world language, would be understood by someone (if only an academic with a degree in European Studies, specialising in the obscure cultures of the Late Christian Era). In fact, your chances get better if you actually can talk to very few people. Meet the authorities, write down something and try to get it circulated as widely as you can. Someone will recognise it and talk to you. Once you become known, you can go on an esoteric lecture circuit and (with luck) get a book contract or three, and set up shop as a writer of alternate history or a cult leader, once you learned the language. It's not much, but it's a living, and no investigator can expose you for a fraud because you aren't (hey, if that Raelian guy and L Ron Hubbard could pull it off....)
Of course, being a prophet of doom from that horrible place where the THirty Years' War, the brutal conquest of the Americas, Napoleon, WWI, and the holocaust actually happenedmight not be enjoyable in a much nicer place, and there's always the chance you live out your life in the Son of Heaven's zoo or the People's Progressive Institution for Mental Hygiene '755
However, with a deviation in 1604, Ebnglish, while not necessarily a major world language, would be understood by someone (if only an academic with a degree in European Studies, specialising in the obscure cultures of the Late Christian Era). In fact, your chances get better if you actually can talk to very few people. Meet the authorities, write down something and try to get it circulated as widely as you can. Someone will recognise it and talk to you. Once you become known, you can go on an esoteric lecture circuit and (with luck) get a book contract or three, and set up shop as a writer of alternate history or a cult leader, once you learned the language. It's not much, but it's a living, and no investigator can expose you for a fraud because you aren't (hey, if that Raelian guy and L Ron Hubbard could pull it off....)
Of course, being a prophet of doom from that horrible place where the THirty Years' War, the brutal conquest of the Americas, Napoleon, WWI, and the holocaust actually happenedmight not be enjoyable in a much nicer place, and there's always the chance you live out your life in the Son of Heaven's zoo or the People's Progressive Institution for Mental Hygiene '755
Xen
Banned
Hmmm, Id struggle at first, but then I'd use somethings that I know from OTL and as I adapt, Id "Have Brilliant Ideas". He he I'd be the creator of Star Wars, several songs from the 1960s, write other movies. Hell since JRR Tolkein doesnt exist, I have four excellent stories ranging from the Hobbit and LOTR trilogy. Id just hope the things that Im taking credit for from OTL will catch on in TTL, and I can make alot of money in the process.
how much DO U remember
I alway amuses me in the Detective novels. when the charater is asked what he did last thursday at 8pm, he rattles off a long involved Alibi. Heck, I have trouble remembering what i did Yesterday. [what? DID I have for Dinner, oh wait --I remember-- I went to bed early and didn't have dinner ][ ?or was that two nites ago?]
I do know the proportions for gunpowder, [15-3-2] and the ingredient, Sulfur, Charcohl, Saltpeter [ the white stuff under manure piles] but not which goes with which, given time I guess I could figure it out, The Question is ?While being dragged to the top of the Pyrimids Altar?
If I was back in a Fifties TL, I love Fuff the dragon, couldn't write down the lyrics to save my life, Read all the Harrington-Manticore Books several times, even so I couldn't rewrite then from memory.
In the 1890's I could give Marconnii broad Hints, no details, Ditto, Watts with his steam engine, Leonado with his Heliocopter, Arcimedes with his Screw. Gates with his windows.
In short I would very lucky if i end up as a starving peasant during manual labor. the chance is lots better in favor of my taking a new turn on the wheel of life.
Now if the ASBs gave me a edictic memerory while transporting me............
I alway amuses me in the Detective novels. when the charater is asked what he did last thursday at 8pm, he rattles off a long involved Alibi. Heck, I have trouble remembering what i did Yesterday. [what? DID I have for Dinner, oh wait --I remember-- I went to bed early and didn't have dinner ][ ?or was that two nites ago?]
I do know the proportions for gunpowder, [15-3-2] and the ingredient, Sulfur, Charcohl, Saltpeter [ the white stuff under manure piles] but not which goes with which, given time I guess I could figure it out, The Question is ?While being dragged to the top of the Pyrimids Altar?
If I was back in a Fifties TL, I love Fuff the dragon, couldn't write down the lyrics to save my life, Read all the Harrington-Manticore Books several times, even so I couldn't rewrite then from memory.
In the 1890's I could give Marconnii broad Hints, no details, Ditto, Watts with his steam engine, Leonado with his Heliocopter, Arcimedes with his Screw. Gates with his windows.
In short I would very lucky if i end up as a starving peasant during manual labor. the chance is lots better in favor of my taking a new turn on the wheel of life.
Now if the ASBs gave me a edictic memerory while transporting me............
It sounds like a lot of us would be in the same boat... we could tell everyone the end results of our technology, but not how to get there. Even gunpowder wouldn't be that easy... a lot of us know the formula for black powder, but there's a long process for purifying the saltpeter which I have no idea how to do....
The first few months would be the worst, first there is the possiblity of a language barrier and different social practises to adjust to. In other words it would be just like being a normal refugee or imigrate but with out a support network. Once you adjust a bit get a job, place to sleep etc then would be the interesting part . Look around is what is different if it is like OTL may be you can spot some similar trends and get in on the groundfloor. Simple stuff like hamburgers (fastfood in general), icecream cones, transistors(remember they where invent Bell but first widely use in small radios made in Japan), hey maybe you could "invent" the yoyo or hula hoop. How often have you seen some new produce and though I could have done that well now is your chance.
It depends on what the world is like what happens though I would say in a world that turned out quite similar to ours I'd come out OK.
With a POD of 1604 the chances are still in the favour of Britain rising to become a great power so I could be alright.
Again I'll go with becoming a great writer or a musician (maybe I could invent rock music...)
With a POD of 1604 the chances are still in the favour of Britain rising to become a great power so I could be alright.
Again I'll go with becoming a great writer or a musician (maybe I could invent rock music...)
PaleHorseRiding
Banned
I think what person would do is Kill Most of the People around them By coughing and Sneezing on them. Common Cold. Also Depends on What one was carrying On Them. Sailing Vitamin C saves hundreds of thousands of Lives. Discovery.
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You would get rich
You have a zipper or snap button fastener or velcro or equivalent on you. They might have that. If they have that, then you will have to make a slinky, or a frisby, or a paddleball, or a magic eightball, or a cap pistol, or a squirt gun, (but not a super soaker, that takes some knowledge), or a soap bubble maker toy, or a game of scrabble, or etc.
You know more than you think you know.
You have a zipper or snap button fastener or velcro or equivalent on you. They might have that. If they have that, then you will have to make a slinky, or a frisby, or a paddleball, or a magic eightball, or a cap pistol, or a squirt gun, (but not a super soaker, that takes some knowledge), or a soap bubble maker toy, or a game of scrabble, or etc.
You know more than you think you know.