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View Full Version : If you could take it with you, what would you take?



DataPacRat
2012-11-17, 07:20 PM
The Scenario: Our protagonist estimates that present-day cryonics has around a five percent chance of leading to a successful revival. Since that's better than the zero percent chance if he doesn't sign up, and he can afford it, he makes the necessary arrangements. As part of those arrangements, he receives a lockable file-cabinet drawer, in which he can put any desired mementos, knick-knacks, or other objects; and which will be protected as securely as his own cryo-preserved body. The drawer is around one and a half cubic feet: two feet deep, one foot wide, nine inches high.

The Question: What should he arrange to have placed in his drawer?


Some of the more obvious options:

* Long-term archival DVDs, such as M-Discs, containing as much of his personal computer's data as possible. With slimline jewel cases, around 400 such discs would fit, which could hold up to around 1.5 terabytes. (Secondary question: Which data to archive?)
* Objects of sentimental value
* Objects with present-day value: cash, gold coins, jewelry
* Objects with predicted future value: collectibles, small antiques
* In honor of previous seekers of immortality: a copy of the ancient Egyptian funerary text, the Book of Coming Forth By Day (aka the Book of the Dead).
* For the purely practical and/or munchkin approach: a weapon, such as a fighting knife or even a pistol

CaptainLhurgoyf
2012-11-17, 08:07 PM
If he's a sciency type, I could see him having some contemporary records (newspapers, etc.) to educate the people of the future of what things were like in his time.

The Glyphstone
2012-11-17, 09:18 PM
If he's taking data in an electronic medium, he'll also need a device to read it, and some batteries or other means of power.

J-H
2012-11-17, 11:01 PM
Requirements:
Must be non-perishable (no food, batteries, etc)
Must be useful in a variety of situations
Must hold value over time either through utility or material

I'd go for:
A Bible
A good folding knife
A pistol, and possibly a rifle, plus several extra magazines, and ammunition. Vacuum pack & lubricate the knife & guns/ammo so that they aren't exposed to moisture & corrosion.
As much gold, silver, and quality natural gems as would obtain & fit
A way to carry all of the above without drawing excessive notice (durable backpack, duffel bag, etc)

If the un-freezing conditions are good, you have several items which will have value as tools or as trade goods, as well as specie, which has always held its value over time, and will continue to do so unless we master alchemy.

If the un-freezing conditions are bad, you are equipped to defend yourself, find food, and trade for things you need.

DontEatRawHagis
2012-11-18, 01:15 AM
Copy of Favorite Book - Neuromancer/Burning Chrome
Family Photo/Memento
Machete
Pack of playing cards
Sunglasses
Handcrank Flashlight
Handcrank Radio
Honey
Twinkie
Copy of own living will
Zippo lighter
.44 Smith and Wesson Revolver w/bag of ammo
Expensive Watch
Family crest ring


Twinkie and Honey is just because people say they last forever. I doubt that highly.

Slipperychicken
2012-11-18, 02:11 AM
How far into the future is our protagonist going?


If he goes far enough, that weapon won't do him too much good. He'll just look like a moron for carrying around the equivalent of a musket, and will probably be arrested because arms laws are more restrictive.

A note saying "Do not unplug/kill me, I don't care what my f***ing relatives think. At least try to unfreeze me first. Seriously guys, if I just wanted to die, I'd have jumped off a bridge or something. This isn't a hard moral decision; find a way to let me live".

1.5 Terabytes of pornography.

Spend entire life savings on US treasury bonds (if there's an interest rate good enough to outperform inflation). Put bonds into box.

Invest your entire life savings into something with a good, reliable interest rate. Maybe a few reputable trading firms to manage your money, kind of like a 401k. Have lots of money when you get un-frozen.

Malak'ai
2012-11-18, 03:02 AM
Combat knife.
Handgun with lots of 9mm ammunition.
Grandfathers 24 caret gold watch.
Grandmothers 18 caret engagement ring.
Some sort of E-Reader with all my favorite books on it.
External hard drive with any/all personal information/data wanted.

DataPacRat
2012-11-18, 07:51 AM
If he's a sciency type, I could see him having some contemporary records (newspapers, etc.) to educate the people of the future of what things were like in his time.

Would a Wikipedia dump suffice?



and possibly a rifle,

Given the size of the drawer, this one seems rather unlikely to fit.




How far into the future is our protagonist going?

At the very least, until technology is developed to allow revival; possibly, both until that, and until someone decides to apply that technology to him in particular.



1.5 Terabytes of pornography.

Ah, but which to choose from?

J-H
2012-11-18, 08:10 AM
Given the size of the drawer, this one seems rather unlikely to fit.

I'm specifically thinking of my AR-15... overall length is 36-37", and by popping out the rear takedown pin, it basically folds in half - overall length of about 20-22" L x 10" or so high.
If I need a gun, I really need a gun, and a rifle offers about 20x the effective range of a pistol (400yds vs 20yds) with a much more effective round.

SuperPanda
2012-11-18, 08:21 AM
A note saying "Do not unplug/kill me, I don't care what my f***ing relatives think. At least try to unfreeze me first. Seriously guys, if I just wanted to die, I'd have jumped off a bridge or something. This isn't a hard moral decision; find a way to let me live".


How about just writing "I Ain't Dead!" on a piece of cardboard?

CaptainLhurgoyf
2012-11-18, 10:39 AM
Would a Wikipedia dump suffice?
I'd say so, yeah. Information on things future scholars might want to know and that might become rare in the future.

Of course, depending on how far into the future he's going, it's possible that English (or whatever language is spoken in his part of the world) will have evolved into something entirely different. Just look at Old English - it sounds more like German than modern English.

Doorhandle
2012-11-19, 12:17 AM
I'd say so, yeah. Information on things future scholars might want to know and that might become rare in the future.

Of course, depending on how far into the future he's going, it's possible that English (or whatever language is spoken in his part of the world) will have evolved into something entirely different. Just look at Old English - it sounds more like German than modern English.

But if they can revive him at all, their will still be experts than can study it and help him, or at least read his stuff.

DontEatRawHagis
2012-11-19, 12:53 AM
Just realized detailed Medical records should be there in case there are any diseases that the player would have to get immunizations for. Also I doubt there will be any copies after you are frozen 50+ years.

snikrept
2012-11-19, 02:21 AM
Wait, why are we packing food and weapons? If future society has collapsed, we're not getting resurrected.

TuggyNE
2012-11-19, 05:09 AM
Wait, why are we packing food and weapons? If future society has collapsed, we're not getting resurrected.

Because in the distant spacefuture, random cryo-preserved specimens are humanity's last, best hope. Therefore scattered groups of huddled scientists frantically spend their last few weeks restoring as many disoriented relics as they can, before they're overrun.

Alternatively, a plague has struck and all the males (or all the females) are dead — except, of course, the ones that are frozen. Again, we are the distant spacefuture's only hope.

:smalltongue:

CaptainLhurgoyf
2012-11-19, 08:45 AM
There's always the possibility that whoever's around when he's unfrozen won't be friendly. In that case, taking a gun just in case might be a good measure. It may be unlikely, but better safe than sorry.

Sgt. Cookie
2012-11-19, 09:09 AM
Dice and a digital copy of all D&D 3.0 and 3.5 stuff.

J-H
2012-11-19, 12:24 PM
I don't expect human nature to change in the next 500 years. The ability to defend life and property will always be necessary, and being able to purchase what you need will always give more independence and freedom of action/choice thank waking up dependent on the charity of others.

Mewtarthio
2012-11-19, 12:54 PM
There's always the possibility that whoever's around when he's unfrozen won't be friendly. In that case, taking a gun just in case might be a good measure.

How are you getting to your locker? If you're unfrozen by a hostile force, I can't imagine they'll sit quietly while you collect your things.


I don't expect human nature to change in the next 500 years. The ability to defend life and property will always be necessary, and being able to purchase what you need will always give more independence and freedom of action/choice thank waking up dependent on the charity of others.

You'll be dependent on charity in any case: Someone has to revive you. That someone also probably had access to your lockbox, so if you have anything at all when you wake up, it's because a stranger decided to let you keep it. I'd recommend locking up sentimental items rather than utilitarian ones or valuables: There's a lower chance of those getting stolen while you're asleep.

Kitten Champion
2012-11-19, 02:17 PM
I would store money in my bank, if they don't exist anymore chances are there are deeper problems for future-me. I would however, buy three or four first edition books for authors I love, whatever the monetary value might be I'm guaranteed something I can enjoy personally.

Birth certificate and any identifying papers, comprehensive health records (I would do every conceivable medical surveillance procedure prior to cryostasis), extensive information on my family for any genealogical research to find potential blood relations in the future (for both medical reasons and emotional ones), blood and tissues samples carefully preserved, and a physical sample of all medication I've taken.

Lastly, and perhaps most important, a legal will.

DataPacRat
2012-11-19, 02:54 PM
How about just writing "I Ain't Dead!" on a piece of cardboard?

Don't you mean 'I ATEN'T DED.'?



Dice and a digital copy of all D&D 3.0 and 3.5 stuff.

Only 3rd ed? I'm still rather partial to 1st and 2nd editions, and Basic, myself...



I would store money in my bank, if they don't exist anymore chances are there are deeper problems for future-me. I would however, buy three or four first edition books for authors I love, whatever the monetary value might be I'm guaranteed something I can enjoy personally.

Birth certificate and any identifying papers, comprehensive health records (I would do every conceivable medical surveillance procedure prior to cryostasis), extensive information on my family for any genealogical research to find potential blood relations in the future (for both medical reasons and emotional ones), blood and tissues samples carefully preserved, and a physical sample of all medication I've taken.

Lastly, and perhaps most important, a legal will.

In the present-day, someone who gets cryo-preserved is already considered to be legally dead - which means that a will, if any, will already be executed, and the contents of bank accounts will be distributed to heirs. There are a few ways around that, involving setting up trusts, though they have yet to be tested against the rule against perpetuities.

Acanous
2012-11-19, 07:11 PM
I'm thinking something like an Ipod with a hand-crank charger and an archived copy of Google Translate taking up most of it's memory.

Also a physical English->Cantonese and English->Arabic dictionary.

Chances are, if they aren't speaking a dirivitive of English, it'll be one of those two.

j1mw1lson
2012-11-20, 12:12 AM
Spend entire life savings on US treasury bonds (if there's an interest rate good enough to outperform inflation). Put bonds into box.

Invest your entire life savings into something with a good, reliable interest rate. Maybe a few reputable trading firms to manage your money, kind of like a 401k. Have lots of money when you get un-frozen.

Haha, this is assuming the US economy doesn't go belly up and it all ends up not being worth the paper it's printed on. Better off going with mineral wealth, like gold or platinum or gems. +1 for the porn though, never know when the christian crazies get their way and everyone turns celibate.

Slipperychicken
2012-11-20, 12:57 AM
Haha, this is assuming the US economy doesn't go belly up and it all ends up not being worth the paper it's printed on. Better off going with mineral wealth, like gold or platinum or gems. +1 for the porn though, never know when the christian crazies get their way and everyone turns celibate.

The past 270ish years of history disagree. USA has never defaulted, not once. US debt is one of the most traded/reliable assets in the world, second to none. China might be growing, but they've got a long way to go before they pass the US.

Who knows? Maybe an art history museum will want the porn (it's an important part of our culture, after all :smalltongue:), and pay handsomely for such well-preserved ancient art. If you go far enough into the future, it might even get artifact status.

TuggyNE
2012-11-20, 02:33 AM
Haha, this is assuming the US economy doesn't go belly up and it all ends up not being worth the paper it's printed on. Better off going with mineral wealth, like gold or platinum or gems.

Those tend to stay stable, yes, although there's no absolute guarantee.


+1 for the porn though, never know when the christian crazies get their way and everyone turns celibate.

Celibate, or chaste? Widespread celibacy would mean you simply never got woken up at all, since no one would get married or have any children. (Chastity is a much more common suggestion, and has no such civilization-ending side effects.)

Kitten Champion
2012-11-20, 03:19 AM
In the present-day, someone who gets cryo-preserved is already considered to be legally dead - which means that a will, if any, will already be executed, and the contents of bank accounts will be distributed to heirs. There are a few ways around that, involving setting up trusts, though they have yet to be tested against the rule against perpetuities.

In the present day, if anyone seriously thinks they've got anything like a 5% chance of being more than a mere corpsical in cryo, they're likely to have some unconventional notions regarding their estate and the legal description of their personage.