# Safest investment for a time traveler/cryonic sleeper

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safest-investment-for-a-time-traveler-cryonic-sleeper/569815>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [February 1, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safest-investment-for-a-time-traveler-cryonic-sleeper/569815 "2011-02-01T20:19:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![hdc\_bst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9f8e36/32.png) [@hdc\_bst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hdc_bst)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safest-investment-for-a-time-traveler-cryonic-sleeper/569815/21 "2011-02-02T15:38:57Z")

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> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#):
>
> I like the plant species idea! How about expanding that to a variety of egg/sperm samples from endangered animals? In 100 years, there may be excellent cloning/artificial reproduction technology, but limited supplies of complete DNA.
> 
> As for weapons, rather than a $10,000 rifle, wouldn’t it probably be better to get several less expensive rifles? Outfit your troupe.

Good idea on the multiple weapons; equipping five riflemen ought to give you a fair edge. I think anything more would be over-investing.

I also like the idea of expanding the ‘seed’ collection to animals, I just don’t know enough about storing/procuring animal gametes to judge its cost effectiveness. The attractive thing about plant seeds is that they’re easy to store, cheap to purchase, and can directly produce a living organism. Of course you’re competing with the [Svalbard Vault](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault), which could reduce your cache’s value.

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**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safest-investment-for-a-time-traveler-cryonic-sleeper/569815/22 "2011-02-02T16:12:46Z")

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> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> That lasts right up a regime change.

This is a problem with just about any investment that isn’t carried on your person. Anything you carry on your person is only going to hold value if people in the future have a particular interest in antique items of the sort you chose to bring.

I like my land idea because it places the land in the custody of a person/group that has an active interest in maintaining possession of the land. I don’t even have to pay them, they maintain it because they get the freedom to use it.

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**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safest-investment-for-a-time-traveler-cryonic-sleeper/569815/23 "2011-02-02T16:35:41Z")

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One of the best “investments” our hypothetical time traveler/corpsicle could make would be in his own knowledge of the world. Imagine if a time traveler from Rennaisance Italy poofed into Rome today. He’d certainly be an object of curiosity, and that might suffice to keep him in housing and food for the rest of his life - but if he’d been an educated man, he might even be able to teach and write about his era.

Investments might ensure you have money waiting in the bank when you arrive - but if you want a _job_ waiting for you, be well-educated in current affairs, and well-read.

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