Heh. For the Hitler thing, I would have to point out the entire Command and Conquer: Red Alert series. In a mad bid for power, the near-future villain of the first Command and Conquer, Cain, goes back in time and gives his technology to both the US and Russia. They bump off Hitler, and in the resultant divergent timeline, WW2 is a limited nuclear war with widespread misuse of time travel and various bizarre super weapons between the Allied West (US, UK, France, Germany) and Soviet Russia.
I think it would be entirely possible to single out certain artists, writers, composers, etc., and benevolently alter their history without having significant cascading effects on our collective history, if time travel to the past where possible (which I doubt).
I like the Disney one, along with many of the others. I’m also all for saving Douglas Adams.
It’s funny, but upthread someone mentioned how they would just want to show the great figures of history what came from their achievements. I have ALWAYS wondered about how interesting it would be to see the various founding father’s reactions to what the USA has become. But then again, having grown up watching 1776, I think I really just want to see that interpretation of John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson’s reactions. Especially Adams; would’ve been proud to hear that his son JQA had to be removed from the congressional building on more than one occasion for refusing to obey the gag order on slavery.
Generally, I always loved the song “Is anybody there?” Whenever I watch that play or hear the song, I want to show that character that yes, it all comes to pass. Yeah I’m a big, sappy, dork/ :rolleyes:
I’m right there with you, Knuckles, John would have been satisfied to be the black sheep of the First Continnetal Congress (if, in real life, he actually was) if he knew it would all work out
John Adams passed away July 4th 1826. His son was already President. When did John Quincy get removed? His father may well have lived to hear of it. I never heard of the incident you mentioned.
After his time as President, John Quincy Adams was re-elected as (either a senator or congressperson; I forget :o ). I distinctly remember being taught in 8th grade history that during his time post-presidency, it was ordered that he be removed from the building several times for refusing to obey the gag order on slavery that had been imposed to enable southern and northern representatives to work together in legislating the new nation.
I’d get George III something for his porphyria, and explain that letting the colonists send members to Parliament could work out very much for the best in the long run.
Okay, I wasn’t gonna say anything, but nowit’s getting kinda weird…
What’s with the “I’d prevent the founding of nations in the new world” time fixes. There’s a couple of them in this thread (though I’m including Malacandra’s). What the hell, people?
Seriously, what the hell? :dubious:
I’m going to assume that you think you’re being clever.
PS. I’m going along the same lines for the Jesus thing upthread. Because, I mean, yeah, the world would be so much better without a widespread religion that teaches peace, love, and understanding. Sure Christians haven’t always been the best lot, but what? Do you really think Pagans would have been any better? :rolleyes:
It amuses me. That’s a legitimate use of Cafe Society, I believe. We could have a Great Debate on “What if the War of Independence had never happened?” if you like. You understand, I hope, that I’m not advocating an alternate timeline in which the King of England could barge into your gun-free house and start ordering you around.
The point is that there were already many nations in the New World. We want to see what kind of global civilization would have developed if they were not oblitherated.
I think something with more public human sacrifices on holidays.
besides, who’s to say talking to Isabel or George would have prevented the discovery and colonization of the Americas? Some other monarch may have stepped in
Been reading Orson Scott Card?
The Time Patrol would have to lock me up, because I’d go back and save the life of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon’s son, the New Year’s baby.
I was thinking the same damned thing! If the Soviets had put up a better fight or had even beaten us to the Moon, the humiliation would have stuck in our craw, we would have redoubled our efforts, and Mars and the asteroids would have been ours by now.
Can’t speak for Isabel, but when George III threw his toys out of the pram, there was already quite a bit of colonization in America. That was kinda the point…
Convince Alan Turing that, instead of committing suicide, he should come forwards with me to the 1980s and get a job at Apple.
Teach Galen about antiseptic procedure and how to make and administer effective antibiotics using common molds. Galen’s texts served as the basis of (almost) all European medicine until Europeans rediscovered the ability to think for themselves.
Related to the above, teach Aristotle the scientific method. Beginning with counting teeth.
Take Ambrose Bierce on a truly excellent adventure.
I’d go back to the summer of 2000 and have a little visit with Al Gore. I’d say, “You know, you ought to send someone down to Florida to check out those ballots. They could be a problem!”
Well, we know how bad Colom (or Columb or Coulom or … you get the idea) was. So perhaps we could put off colonization for another 50 years, or maybe the Europeans land where the natives put up a stronger, tougher resistance initially, slowing down European expansion. Or maybe some other explorer does the same thing - enslave the local, native population and spread diseases that decimate the remaining population ahead of the conquest. It’s not like they could do any worse.
Marvelous topic, I’d be happy to chat with you in all seriousness in GD or BBQ–you pick the tone. But let’s not hijack this thread or else we’ll have to deal with the CIA and the FBI and the NSA and the NRA and the GOP.
Or offer him a scholarship to an art school in New York. It might or might not make him a successful artist, but it gets him out of Germany, before he ever thinks of going into politics.
