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If you could have every answer to your history based questions, would you take them? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

26 comments fedilink hide all child comments

It turns out that something has been watching the Earth in minute detail since before the solar system was formed, down to a sub molecular level. It can give you the answers to any historical questions, but not things like what someone was thinking or feeling.

All the world's problems have been solved, and the information is only used with the strictest privacy, e.g. you can only get information on living people with their permission, or if you're a member of law enforcement solving a crime.

The question is, if you have a hobby, job, or other reason to research the past, like being a geologist or genealogist, would you take the answers, or would you prefer to do the research yourself?

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago (4 children)

I would, but as well as obvious mysteries (JFK, Loch Ness Monster, the success of Ed Sheerin) I'd really just want to know dumb stuff like:

Where did I leave my favourite hat when I lost it 6 years ago?
How many steps have I taken in my entire lifetime?
Which song have I listened to most?

Although it would also be very useful for identifying music in cases where Soundhound, [email protected], etc fail.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

This is the way.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

the success of Ed Sheerin

That made me snort laugh :D

I'd really just want to know dumb stuff...

I like your thinking. I was thinking mostly about stuff that is hard to research, the more serious things, I hadn't thought about the 'dumb' stuff too. That sounds like a lot more fun :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

I like your thinking. I'd love a lifetime step count, or even something like how many boxes of cereal I've consumed over my life.

I'd also want to check up on what famous historical figures got up to. Or where unknown folks came from prior to being recorded.

Where did the ka'bar's white twin come from and end up?

How many lovers did Queen Elizabeth I have?

And many more I often think but can't call to mind now.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Ed Shearing

Nepotism. There's some story I heard about how he coach surfed in California until he got a contract, and I figured he must have SOME talent, then found out he was staying on Jamie Foxx's couch, so clearly some he knew someone...

Except unfortunately my 30 second Wikipedia fact check shows he didn't. He met Foxx because he was invited to be a guess on Foxx's show and must have made a good impression. He did make seemingly the hardway; he started out as a working musician working with other musicians and worked his way up. Didn't hurt that he got a positive review from Elton John early on, but the guy apparently has something.

Damn. I thought I figured it out...