Hypothetical situation dilemma

[Circe]

Let's assume for a moment that there's a definite proof that our civilization will vanish as a result of some kind of a fatal global disaster within 10 or so years. We are told that our planet will probably survive but most people will definitely perish (those who are lucky or unlucky enough to live through it will not remember anything from the past and will be virtually reduced to the Stone Age status.

We want to let the possible future generations know that we were once here/pass onto them our present technological, spiritual etc knowledge, and so we decide to leave some artifacts behind hoping that they will be found and deciphered one day.

What these artifacts would be, however interesting it is to speculate, is esentially not the question here. What I'm asking is this: should we leave some relatively simple objects assuming that the the people who will find them will not be yet too technologically advanced and therefore will be able to recognize them and gain some knowledge about us through them, or

should we leave some sophisticated technological devices (that will survive time) for the more advanced human race, that will hopefully develop, like us, one day?

In both cases there's a risk - - if the simple, primitive objects are found by the more sophisticated, more technologically advanced human race, we might be viewed as primitives and the message will be lost. The same will happen If the less advanced people find the sophisticated equipment - they will not be able to recognize the objects for what they are and instead will probably start worshipping them as something that fell from heaven, or something of that kind.

To make it more difficult, let's say we can only opt for one type of an artifact; i.e., either simple or sophisticated.

[sproggy..... meh]

An artifact that would not require technological skill to utilize. The risk of the said artifact being lost before a future generation can make use of it is too great.

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I was going to say a copy of Plato's Republic.

But since any works of literature would be rendered useless by the fact that all language would be lost, I'm going to have to go with a frisbee.

[Tyler]

"if the simple, primitive objects are found by the more sophisticated, more technologically advanced human race, we might be viewed as primitives and the message will be lost"

This is not a risk. Not unless the human race is so terribly selfish and stuck-up that we're more concerned with our reputation than the survival of our race.

[siledre]

it's not beyond the realm of possibility since I have met plenty of people that would forget how to read if someone didn't show them how every day, people at my work for example, if they were to be the only survivors, then history would be lost for good. :p

[Mystech]

I'd say leave behind some technical manuals, and science books, though maybe a few pornos, the people of the future need to know that our women were hotties, and truely would shove just about anything anywhere.

[Guyute]

I say we leave behind alot of stuff and let whatever happen happen.....either way it is a fifty/fifty chance....;)

[Siddhartha]

We leave behind Stonehenge and the Pyramids. ;)

[Guyute]

hum....good point:)

[moving]

Yeah a pyramid, perfect. It'll last thousands of years and it's simple, just a bunch of rocks. Ok now how do we build it.:)

[Circe]

We leave behind Stonehenge and the Pyramids

;)

Well, If the Pyramids do in fact incorporate some lost knowledge, we must not be sophisticated enough just yet since it still eludes us.

[everneo]

Humanity has to start again from scratch.

If the survivors could not remember 'anything' , then it is a clean slate. If they could understand 'language' then there is some hope. Still its largely a hopeless situation.