Your message to the distant future.

Ink Asylum · 04-16-2012, 01:38 PM

I was listening to a science podcast that talked about future fossils, essentially what would or wouldn't survive 100 million years if mankind were to suddenly become extinct.

Of particular note were books and digital media, neither of which would last in a readable state for that long, meaning that very little of the information around today would turn up if future archaeologists, either from vastly evolved humans, the next intelligent race on Earth, or visiting aliens, dug up our civilization.

So I imagined a more permanent relic to be left behind, where information would be etched into a physical media that would stand the test of time. Space would be limited, so let's say the project were funded by donations, and contributors were allowed to submit up to 500 characters (roughly 100 words).

Assume that the project already includes notable pieces of writing, as well as a sufficient cypher so an intelligent race will likely be able to decode our language.

What text would you submit?

Gwinny · 04-16-2012, 01:48 PM

What happens if I touch thi-

Karak · 04-16-2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRR006

What happens if I touch thi-

Nailed it first post.

evilgoodwin · 04-16-2012, 01:59 PM

We're sorry.

Dorkandproudofit · 04-16-2012, 02:06 PM

When you pay your yearly virgin tribute to your sovereign god-king, know that I prefer redheads to blondes.

Serapth · 04-16-2012, 02:31 PM

. "Duck"

Reverant · 04-16-2012, 02:35 PM

Yes, those Twinkies are still good.

Serapth · 04-16-2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reverant

Yes, those Twinkies are still good.

Well, as good as they ever were.

Narradisall · 04-16-2012, 02:52 PM

Is Diablo 3 out yet?

Hawkzombie · 04-16-2012, 03:42 PM

But seriously, I guess I would write:

What walks on four legs in the morning, Two Legs in the afternoon, and three legs at night?

Timeless riddles should never be forgotten.

J Arcane · 04-16-2012, 03:58 PM

We could have saved this planet, but we were too damned lazy.

Voodoo · 04-16-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Arcane

We could have saved this planet, but we were too damned lazy.

This would be much more accurate...

We could have saved ourselves, but we were too damned lazy.

...the Earth will be here long after the universe has completely forgotten about our accomplishments.

Unless We Leave

Xerxes · 04-16-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voodoo

This would be much more accurate...

We could have saved ourselves, but we were too damned lazy.

...the Earth will be here long after the universe has completely forgotten about our accomplishments.

Unless We Leave

This man speaks the truth. We have to infect the universe.

Voodoo · 04-16-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xerxes

This man speaks the truth. We have to infect the universe.

As soon as we can get that power source and acceleration problem solved, we are golden. Navigation & EMF shields are already finished.

Karak · 04-16-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voodoo

As soon as we can get that power source and acceleration problem solved, we are golden. Navigation & EMF shields are already finished.

Man someday. This is where money needs to be spent. Earth is finite...well and perhaps so is space but its a larger finite

J Arcane · 04-16-2012, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voodoo

This would be much more accurate...

We could have saved ourselves, but we were too damned lazy.

...the Earth will be here long after the universe has completely forgotten about our accomplishments.

Unless We Leave

It's a quote ...

MagGnome · 04-17-2012, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Arcane

We could have saved this planet, but we were too damned lazy.

Where is that quote from?

My message would be something similar:

"I apologize for all of humankind, who in their selfishness and greed ruined Earth".

Although 100 million years from now the planet and the environment will likely have recovered from all damage we've caused, even if many species have been wiped out during our time here. We'll certainly be long gone.

That or "Welcome to Samsara".

Hawkzombie · 04-17-2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagGnome

Where is that quote from?

My message would be something similar:

"I apologize for all of humankind, who in their selfishness and greed ruined Earth".

Although 100 million years from now the planet and the environment will likely have recovered from all damage we've caused, even if many species have been wiped out during our time here. We'll certainly be long gone.

Thing is, 100 million years from now EVERYTHING will be gone

...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagGnome

That or "Welcome to Samsara".

Welcome to Cornelia!

KamaItachi · 04-16-2012, 04:10 PM

I liked that popular band you listen to before it was cool.

Ox · 04-16-2012, 04:11 PM

The medium is the message. The most interesting information contained in this inscription is the simple fact that we wanted to communicate with entities that would not exist until millions of years after we all died. Did we care because we recognized a commonality with our distant successors, or because we genetically associate you with our own children, or because we were plaintively seeking a shred of immortality, or for some other reason? We didn't know. Do you?

(That's 470 characters including spaces, by the way.)

04-16-2012, 01:38 PM	#1
Ink Asylum BEARDWALL! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 22,246	Your message to the distant future. I was listening to a science podcast that talked about future fossils, essentially what would or wouldn't survive 100 million years if mankind were to suddenly become extinct. Of particular note were books and digital media, neither of which would last in a readable state for that long, meaning that very little of the information around today would turn up if future archaeologists, either from vastly evolved humans, the next intelligent race on Earth, or visiting aliens, dug up our civilization. So I imagined a more permanent relic to be left behind, where information would be etched into a physical media that would stand the test of time. Space would be limited, so let's say the project were funded by donations, and contributors were allowed to submit up to 500 characters (roughly 100 words). Assume that the project already includes notable pieces of writing, as well as a sufficient cypher so an intelligent race will likely be able to decode our language. What text would you submit? __________________ blog ~ twitter ~ flickr ~ daily sketch Last edited by Ink Asylum; 04-16-2012 at 01:46 PM.

04-16-2012, 01:59 PM	#4
evilgoodwin Abomination Unto Nuggan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 8,788 Blog Entries: 1	We're sorry. __________________ PSN/Steam: evilgoodwin The Nonsensical Prose of a Lunatic Currently Watching: American Horror Story - S02, Angel - S03, Buffy - S06, Deadwood - S01, Dollhouse - S01, GoT - S03, Mad Men - S06, Star Trek TNG - S05 Currently Playing: Bioshock: Infinite (PS3), Final Fantasy IX (PS1), Minecraft (PC), RE4 (WII), Fire Emblem (3DS), EO4 (3DS)

04-16-2012, 02:31 PM	#6
Serapth Reigning on your parade. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Happy Hunting Grounds Posts: 9,925 Blog Entries: 3	. "Duck" __________________ I did it because I was looking for a project and it was either take over the world... or learn French. So I took over the world.

04-16-2012, 02:35 PM	#7
Reverant 11%ABV, Nutrient Rich Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,896 Blog Entries: 1	Yes, those Twinkies are still good. __________________ XBL: The Reverant Steam: johneldridge

04-16-2012, 02:52 PM	#9
Narradisall Colonist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London, England Posts: 15,814	Is Diablo 3 out yet? __________________ Gamertag: Narradisall Steam ID: Narradisall

04-16-2012, 01:48 PM	#2
Gwinny was JRR006 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,905	What happens if I touch thi-

04-16-2012, 03:42 PM	#10
Hawkzombie The Lord of Shadow Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 17,397 Blog Entries: 3	But seriously, I guess I would write: What walks on four legs in the morning, Two Legs in the afternoon, and three legs at night? Timeless riddles should never be forgotten. __________________ I have a blog. Go read it! PSN/Steam ID - JaynesHat/Hawkzombie There is the crazy HZ and the well refined logic and reasoning HZ. Both are pretty entertaining -Purple Santa I love that Hawk exists to make every decision I make, no matter how self-destructive, look wise by comparison. -Ox I just realized that for the longest time I've been getting you and Karak mixed up. -fitbabits

04-16-2012, 03:58 PM	#11
J Arcane Bedroom Wall Press Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 16,557 Blog Entries: 1	We could have saved this planet, but we were too damned lazy. __________________ Arcana Rising - An Urban Fantasy Roleplaying Game, powered by Hulks and Horrors. Now on Kickstarter! Bedroom Wall Press - Games that make you feel like a kid again. Hulks and Horrors - A Sci-Fi Roleplaying game of Exploration and Dungeon Adventure Heaven's Shadow - A Roleplaying Game of Faith and Assassination

04-16-2012, 04:10 PM	#19
KamaItachi Always ready! Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,331 Blog Entries: 4	I liked that popular band you listen to before it was cool. __________________ Bernard Cribbins 4 Life! Live Id: Lambert is Dead PSN: LambertisDead

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