Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: If you had 24 hours in the year 2050, what questions would you ask?

news.ycombinator.com

11–20 of 58 posts

Re: Ask HN: If you had 24 hours in the year 2050, what questions would you ask?

#11
It is too short a timespan; the year 2500 would be better. Statistically I'll even make it to 2050. But yeah, it's so short that I think; what to invest in long term and memorize the larger financial/crisis recession points (there should be maybe 3-4 before that time). Obviously there are things that can jump out on your travels; if there was a nuclear war then you'll know or a significant other event and you can learn the dates and prep for them.

I would be more interested in knowing what people would figure 24 hours in 2500 though.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 24 hours in the year 2050, what questions would you ask?

#13
post #5

Honestly, I'd be most interested in whether or not I'm still alive. I'm sure there are plenty of ways to get rich or famous, but those aren't exactly interesting. It's highly doubtful any significant changes in society or human nature would come about in such a short time, and politics are more likely depressing than useful or inspiring.

How would that info be actionable?

How would any info be actionable? You're solidly in paradox territory here, might as well go for personal interest.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 24 hours in the year 2050, what questions would you ask?

#14
I would divide my time… first few hours would be about the general state of society… what happened with climate change? - Are people still dying from COVID? - How’s china doing (economy specifically)? - Is the iPhone still popular? - Did we get to mars? Another moon landing? - Are we still waging wars? - Did Elon succeed with Twitter? - Is congress still useless? - Is the queen still kicking? - Did the metaverse succeed?

Then a quick 15-30 mins on stock prices, crypto to make a quick buck.

The rest of the time I’d spend asking questions about any new discoveries made in science. - Did we discover any new elements or fundamental particles? - Did mRNA cure cancer? - Is fusion economically feasible and if so how? - Any new math equations? - Are micro plastics harmful? - Did Analog computers make a come back? - Did we achieve quantum supremacy?

In reality though I probably wouldn’t think about asking half of these questions.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 24 hours in the year 2050, what questions would you ask?

#15
An interesting question on many levels.

Is a notebook and pen the only conveyance of information or will you have your memories retained on the return to the present day? Do you devise an encoding scheme prior to departure to maximize the bits of information that can be written in the notebook?

How will you act on the information when you return? Will people believe you? Do you want to come back with some verifiable information so people will believe you? Before leaving, announce that you will visit the future, and ask everyone with a private key to sign a message to their respective future selves, so that their messages from the future can be verified by the present self?

What is the goal of this endeavor, to personally profit or for all of humanity to profit for mistakes that will be made between now and 2050?

You could spend the entire 24 hours teleporting to various places on Earth (and possibly Mars and the Moon), talking to random people in all socioeconomic strata of society, all the while taking copious notes and have them write signed messages in your notebook. Kind of like a yearbook from the future.

Or do you ask specific questions about science, medicine, advances in technology, materials, so you accelerate humanity's progress forward?

When you return, do you decide to mint your notebook as an NFT collection? Auction it off? Go on Joe Rogan to talk about it? Keep stock, crypto, market prices to yourself so only you can benefit? Become a philanthropist with the profits?

So many questions.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 24 hours in the year 2050, what questions would you ask?

#17
post #6
post #2

What’s the price of Bitcoin? Who’s the current president? What companies on the Fortune 500 are still the same as 2022? Does climate change have an impact on our lives?

I can answer that now: 1. Several millions but you need to chose right fork 2. Some guy which is a random student now. 3. Not any but closest to that is TSLA. 4. Definitely yes.

> Some guy

C'mon, it's 2050! I sure hope the president isn't always a guy by that point.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 24 hours in the year 2050, what questions would you ask?

#19
post #6
post #2

What’s the price of Bitcoin? Who’s the current president? What companies on the Fortune 500 are still the same as 2022? Does climate change have an impact on our lives?

I can answer that now: 1. Several millions but you need to chose right fork 2. Some guy which is a random student now. 3. Not any but closest to that is TSLA. 4. Definitely yes.

2050 is what 28 years from now? With current trend current students are quite young to run for that office...

Re: Ask HN: If you had 24 hours in the year 2050, what questions would you ask?

#20
What is considered morally reprehensible today that was common practice 30 years ago?

What were the most important historical events of the past 30 years?

What technologies have widespread adoption today that were rare or nonexistent 30 years ago?

Post reply on HN