this post was submitted on 24 Dec 2023
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237
Just before death you are granted one truthful, understandable answer to one question. What would you want to know? (mander.xyz)
submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Obviously a hypothetical scenario. There is no way to pass on the knowledge to anyone else. Time freezes for you only, and once you have your answer you are out of this world.

The question can allow you to see into the past, present and future and gain comprehension of any topic/issue. But it's only one question.

Edit: the point isn't "how to cheat death". You can't. Your body is frozen and there is nothing you can do with this knowledge other than knowing it, and die. So if you would rather be frozen in a limbo just thinking of numbers for eternity, be my guest.

Such a variety of replies, it's been really interesting to read them!

What would you want to know? Personally I'd want to see a timelapse or milestone glimpses of humanity's future until the end of Earth's existence (if we survive that long)

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[โ€“] [email protected] 28 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Just "Why?" Leave this magical answers being confused and questioning humanity, like the rest of us.

[โ€“] [email protected] 15 points 10 months ago

Just 'because'

[โ€“] [email protected] 11 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Because 42

[โ€“] [email protected] 47 points 10 months ago (1 children)

https://www.ascii-code.com/

In ASCII, 42 is an asterisk, which is a common computer placeholder for "whatever you want it to be". The computer in Hitchhikers wasn't just pooping out a random number, but in the most computer way possible it pretty much just said life is what you make of it.

So yea, 42.

[โ€“] [email protected] 23 points 10 months ago

Bro. I love this. TIL. Never thought of checking the ASCII of 42.