# 10,000 B.C. or 10,000 A.D.? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 22, 2011, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738 "2011-11-22T12:15:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/41 "2011-11-23T17:05:14Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > … > > At the very least, I’m betting Conan the Barbarian is much less likely to be cleaving me in two with his broadsword 10,000 years from now no matter what language the language situation. Unless you go to a renn-faire. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/42 "2011-11-23T18:31:51Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Today’s languages – in fact, the entire world of today – will be much better understood 10,000 years from now than the world of 10,000 years ago is now. Assuming there will still be anyone around, that is. 10,000 years ago was in no way documented as thoroughly as today is. At the very least, I’m betting Conan the Barbarian is much less likely to be cleaving me in two with his broadsword 10,000 years from now no matter what language the language situation. Well, [maybe.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_dark_age) ---
**Author:** ![Galileo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Galileo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galileo)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/43 "2011-11-23T21:25:57Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > I think 10,000 BC is a safer bet. I’d research a place where the living conditions are relatively good, meaning no harsh winter and a decent source of fresh water and then I’d find the place like that which modern archaeology has found to be very sparsely populated. Potentially a larger island somewhere that man hadn’t reached yet and that would have some fresh water on it. Yes. You need to be in the right place at the right time, so three key considerations are location, location, location. 😉 If the first challenge is to survive one year, then 10,000 BC is a much safer bet because I have a pretty good idea of what the world was like back then and I can prepare accordingly. Choose the right location, take the right supplies in the 5x5x5 box, and it should be relatively easy to survive one year. The range of possible scenarios in the next 8,000 years is enormous, from idyllic to hellish. How do you prepare? Which location would you pick? Maybe the air is still be breathable and the water drinkable. Or not. Perhaps humans are still on the Earth. Perhaps they will tolerate your existence. Or not. If you’re willing to experience cultural shock to the gazillionth power and risk quick extermination for the possibility of seeing utopia, then 10,000 AD is the right choice. I prefer **Martin Hyde** ’s choice of Guam in 10,000 BC. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/44 "2011-11-23T21:36:45Z")
if you went into the past you could take some science and technology and become a god. if you went into the future you could take small collectibles and sell them for a lot of money. though genuine baseball cards might be indistinguishable than those made by a replicator. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/45 "2011-11-23T23:07:31Z")
How many bullets would fit in a 5x5x5 container? ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/46 "2011-11-23T23:40:09Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > In 10,000 BCE I’d probably choose someplace where humanity hasn’t spread yet with no large predators. Say, the island of Oahu. I like this. I can fit an 8’+ surfboard into the cube and we’re in surf city for a year. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/47 "2011-11-24T00:22:01Z")
Hey, did everyone miss the premises? > [@](#): > > A familiar looking individual appears at your door with a strange machine. Okay, so I’ve been **chosen**.:eek: Considering the other references in the premise, I’m going to assume Emmet picked me, in particular, out of the seven-billion-and-counting people currently on the planet. Since I don’t know Doc Brown personally I’ll assume he’s been referred to me by various people who either [ol] [li] Desperately want to get rid of that Grestarian guy more than any of the other 7+billion[/li][li]Think that Grestarian guy has the right constellation of attributes, skills, and behaviors to be able to get the job done.[/li][/ol] In order to protect my sanity and vanity, I’ll assume the latter. (Assuming the former would lead to me just napping on a train track somewhere – at midnight, in black clothing…you know the tale…) Continuing the self-favoring argument, I’ll figure some of the required attributes are my habit of thinking differently than most people (for example, this response versus the various posts above), maybe my knacks for picking up languages, figuring out basic mechanical things, and remembering geography without a map, maybe some weird combination of knowledge from my experience and training makes me worth listening to, and probably my tendency to seriously over-analyze just about everything (like this response).:rolleyes: My skill with various weapons and martial arts may be helpful; my basic camping skills may be useful; my knowledge of sociology and anthropology might provide useful frameworks for helping me survive amongst unfamiliar people. My talents in mathematics, cooking, music, drawing, and dance are definitely not going to save me, much less the planet.:o Knowing the way my life works, the key is in something I don’t even consider a skill or talent – or some esoteric bit of knowledge that I won’t remember until the crucial moment (“Hey, Grestarian, how did that black obelisk suddenly get over there?”) Maybe it’s just my silly belief that altruism does (or should) really exist – Right, Mister Hammurabi? > [@](#): > > In one week, the space-time continuum will tear itself apart and end the universe due to a cock-up in the flux capacitor of his machine. It can be fixed by you travelling in time… Efforts made thousands of years after a problem don’t fix anything; they merely exploit the artifact or continue the relative status quo. So if I’m supposed to fix something, the cock-up will have to be prevented, and that means I’ll have to be heading to the past. For the next week, I’m maxing out my credit card and bank accounts, buying stuff at Home Depot, REI, and from gun dealers to supplement what I’ve already got until I’ve completely packed the 5x5x5 container. In addition ot all the other junk, I’ll make a point of including a cordless Dremel tool, plenty of rechargable batteries, and a solar charger. I’ll go wherever the mission requires, but if I can finish the task early I want to head to the future Vietnam. > [@](#): > > As for taking things back - the box is a one way trip only. Fine, fair enough, but I’ll be returning to a maxed-out credit card and an empty bank account. :smack: For my last month of ‘vacation time’ I’m going to find a piece of granite in the[Hang Son Doong](http://http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/01/largest-cave/jenkins-text) cavern and use the cordless Dremel tool to write something astoundingly profound and prophetic in the mixture of languages I currently know and will know by the end of my year (and that might require creating my own syllabary, but I’ve got enough of a background to do that, as well). When I return to modern times, I’ll set the DeLorean to take me to Vietnam and use the last of my gear to go hiking in the hills. Suddenly I’ll discover this long-buried piece of granite and, when I translate the writing on its surface, I’ll become a trillionaire on the talk shows and book circuit. I’ll donate 99% of my fortune to the betterment of the world (I still believe in altruism, after all) and use some of the remaining 10% to clear my credit cards and rebuild my bank account. [I’m not as naiive as you thought, am I?]😃 ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/48 "2011-11-24T00:24:30Z")
I picked the future mainly for the intrigue and wonder. I would pack things I would assume to be very valuable in the far future so I could sell it and live nicely. Although the past has some merit. I could cram enough interesting bits in a smallish container to be a God and worshiped if I traveled back that far. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/49 "2011-11-24T02:34:04Z")
BC Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii. Neither the Polynesians nor the rats and mosquitoes have shown up yet. Year round warm weather, fresh water stream, ocean fishing. The banana and papaya starts I bought along would start producing in 6 months to say nothing of that pregnant hen I also brought along. First she produced chicks and later lots of eggs. > **[Waipio Valley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waipio_Valley)** > > Waipiʻo Valley is a valley located in the Hamakua District of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. "Waipiʻo" means "curved water" in the Hawaiian language. > The valley was the capital and permanent residence of many early Hawaiian Aliʻi (chiefs/kings) up until the time of King ʻUmi. This was a place celebrated for its nioi tree (Eugenia reinwardtiana) known as the Nioi wela o Paʻakalana ("The burning Nioi of Paʻakalana"). It was the location of the ancient grass palace of the ancient "kings" of Hawaiʻi wi... ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/50 "2011-11-24T02:50:40Z")
For those of you choosing BC, I hope you have no medical issues pop up during your year there, assuming you survive even the first day. It would suck to have a tooth suddenly go bad early on. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/51 "2011-11-24T03:53:47Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > if you went into the past you could take some science and technology and become a god. > > if you went into the future you could take small collectibles and sell them for a lot of money. though genuine baseball cards might be indistinguishable than those made by a replicator. That’s assuming the concept of currency is still alive and well in the future and not replaced by Star Trek style economics…what’s the point of paying for stuff when you can replicate it? > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > For those of you choosing BC, I hope you have no medical issues pop up during your year there, assuming you survive even the first day. It would suck to have a tooth suddenly go bad early on. Get your hands on the [essential medicines](http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2011/a95053_eng.pdf) and a few good medical guides and providing you don’t have a heart attack you should be alright. I’m also not sure why you’re worried about Conan attacking you with a sword…an AR-15 beats the metallurgy of 12,000 every time. [Indy shows us how it’s done.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_Ds2ytz4o&feature=related) > [@Grestarian](#): > > Hey, did everyone miss the premises? > > Okay, so I’ve been **chosen**.:eek: Considering the other references in the premise, I’m going to assume Emmet picked me, in particular, out of the seven-billion-and-counting people currently on the planet. Since I don’t know Doc Brown personally I’ll assume he’s been referred to me by various people who either > > [ol] > [li] Desperately want to get rid of that Grestarian guy more than any of the other 7+billion[/li][li]Think that Grestarian guy has the right constellation of attributes, skills, and behaviors to be able to get the job done.[/li][/ol] Who is to say that it’s not you from the future? > [@](#): > > Efforts made thousands of years after a problem don’t fix anything; they merely exploit the artifact or continue the relative status quo. So if I’m supposed to fix something, the cock-up will have to be prevented, and that means I’ll have to be heading to the past. You humans think in such…three dimensional terms. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/52 "2011-11-24T03:56:59Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > I’m also not sure why you’re worried about Conan attacking you with a sword…an AR-15 beats the metallurgy of 12,000 every time. [Indy shows us how it’s done.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_Ds2ytz4o&feature=related) I know the movies have taught us that the average shlub can get his hands on any number of war weapons at a moment’s notice, but even here in Thailand I would not know whom to ask. (Probably the motorcycle-taxi guys on the corner.) ---
**Author:** ![phantom\_lamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@phantom\_lamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phantom_lamb)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/53 "2011-11-24T12:07:29Z")
Both options would be extremely interesting… but considering 10,000 AD might be the stuff nightmares are made of, we can’t possibly know, I’ll go with BC. Just imagine the fresh air, mmm. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/54 "2011-11-24T12:56:49Z")
BC. I have a solid chance of surviving in such a rich environment. The packing box is generous and I can certainly make that space work hard for me in terms of useful supplies. If I encounter natives, I’m fairly certain I can handle the situation. Hostiles get shot and never come home. Neutrals and friendlies will find themselves with a whole new world of interesting techniques. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/55 "2011-11-24T13:29:11Z")
AD. Then I can tell everybody that they’re just 191 years from achieving the Kwisatz Haderach, please pass the spice. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Peeta\_Mellark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Peeta\_Mellark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peeta_Mellark)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/56 "2011-11-24T14:48:39Z")
I’d go back in time, since I have a pretty good idea of what to expect there and I don’t for the future. If their society is as documentation orientated as ours is, I’d be in trouble as an illegal time immigrant. Not a risk I want to take and I find the past far more fascinating anyway. I could check out animals that are now extinct and things like that. In the past, I can just bring back some compact supplies, seeds for growing my own food, and a whole asston of guns and ammo. If I happen to meet any people, I don’t need to worry. I’ll simply be their new God of Thunder with my miracle boomsticks. ---
**Author:** ![Galileo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Galileo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galileo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/57 "2011-11-24T15:01:26Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > For those of you choosing BC, I hope you have no medical issues pop up during your year there, assuming you survive even the first day. It would suck to have a tooth suddenly go bad early on. What makes you think that you’ll survive the first day in 10,000 AD? And, what will you do if you have a problem with your tooth? It seems to me that some people are underestimating how much things can change in the next 8,000 years, in good ways and in bad ways. Try guessing what the world (and humanity’s role in it) will be 100 years from now. How confident are you that you’re right? Now try: 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100. Here are the two choices: 1. 10,000 BC – We know quite a bit about from geological and archaeological findings, and we can plan accordingly. 2. 10,000 AD – We don’t know. So, if indeterminable risk is bliss, then choose 10,000 AD. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/58 "2011-11-24T15:48:51Z")
10,000 BC–the germs & viruses wreak havoc on every living thing near me. 10,000 AD, the germs & viruses of _that_ ear make me shrivel up like a sausage left too long in the microwave. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/59 "2011-11-24T16:12:51Z")
> [@Galileo](#): > > Here are the two choices: > > 1. 10,000 BC – We know quite a bit about from geological and archaeological findings, and we can plan accordingly. > 2. 10,000 AD – We don’t know. You make “We don’t know” sound like a _problem_, when it’s the whole point. ---
**Author:** ![Galileo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Galileo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galileo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738/60 "2011-11-24T16:57:29Z")
Yeah, it would be cool to learn about the future, but the hypothetical in the OP is not just a learning experience. First, you have to survive when you arrive and then survive for one year so that you come back. How do you determine your chances of survival in the year 10,000 AD, and, if you do survive, how do you determine what the quality of your life will be? What do you think the possible scenarios are for the year 10,000 AD, and what are the chances that you will encounter a favorable one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-000-b-c-or-10-000-a-d/603738.md?page=4)