A Journey Through Time: What Would Astonish a Medieval Mind in the Future?
The concept of time travel fascinates many of us, and if given the opportunity, what would you most likely show someone from the Middle Ages? In my case, as someone who struggles with Asperger's, one of the most likely items would be something I takes for granted: my debit and credit cards. However, even this might not be as eye-opening as it initially seems, due to the vast gap between then and now. Let's explore other possibilities and the challenges of sharing future knowledge with a medieval mind.
Exploring Future Technology
Debit and Credit Cards: While these might seem like a world away for a medieval peasant, they reflect access to a financial system on a scale unimaginable in their time. However, explaining the intricacies of modern banking, currency transfers, and digital transactions is a daunting task. It's akin to trying to explain a technological marvel like a fighter jet to a medieval peasant.
Unable to Explain
When we talk about technology, the language and understanding of the recipient come into play. For instance, if I were to explain radar to a medieval peasant, the concepts of 'waves you can’t see' or 'aircraft' might be considered witchcraft or magic. As we see from Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Therefore, even the most basic explanations might fall flat due to the historical and cultural differences.
Radar Explanation:
ldquo;You see, there’s this thing called ‘radar’ that sends out waves you can’t see. These bounce off things and come back, and when you receive them, you can tell where something is, and its speed.rdquo;
ldquo;Waves you can’t see that tell you where something is? Sounds like magic to me!rdquo;
Accusations and Penalties
The repercussions of demonstrating future technology to a medieval society could be severe. Accusations of witchcraft, blasphemy, or madness might lead to dire consequences. The medieval era was rife with suspicion, and the introduction of such advanced concepts might prompt people to see you as malevolent or divinely punished. Additionally, if you were taken seriously, you might inadvertently alter the future, changing history in unpredictable ways.
Life in Hiding or a Life of Seclusion
Seeking Refuge: If you were to avoid accusations, your best bet might be to hide or join a monastery. Translating manuscripts and contributing to intellectual life, albeit in a subtle manner, could offer a safe haven. Life there might be monotonous, but it would keep you from the dangers that come with revealing too much knowledge too soon.
Symbolic Demo: A Pineapple
Another feasible option would be to introduce a foreign fruit like the pineapple, which was unknown in Europe until the late 15th century. Introducing a pineapple to a medieval society with no prior knowledge of such fruits could create fascination and curiosity. While initial efforts to explain it might fail due to language barriers, simply eating a piece in front of an audience could catch their attention.
Eating the Pineapple:
I cut a piece of pineapple and proceeded to eat it in front of everyone. The novelty and strangeness of the fruit would likely draw immediate attention and curiosity.
Aluminum Foil: A Practical Marvel
Aluminum Foil: Another practical example would be aluminum foil. In the Middle Ages, pure aluminum was more valuable than gold, and its discovery by Charles Martin Hall in 1886 wasn't known to them. Bringing a roll of aluminum foil would be a magnificent feat, worthy of attention and praise. A king would likely be impressed and cover his throne in it, leading to a spectacle worthy of a comedic moment.
Imagine the scene: A monarch who, when presented with sheets of aluminum foil, might be captivated by its sheen, unaware of the revolutionary process required to create such a material. As for the cheap and common things in the Middle Ages, the value of which would skyrocket in the future, having such items would be a treasure to bring back.