This morning I was chatting to my boyfriend about whether a person who went back in time (let’s say a thousand years) would be able to gather more social power than they can now in their own time.
It is weird to me that the question is about social power, but the discussion focuses overwhelmingly on whether or not we would be able to blacksmith our way 2020.
Most of the conversation hand-waived the core challenges, like being able to not die in the first three days. All other meaningful challenges are people challenges; they are about how and with whom to communicate, what kinds of relationships can be developed and maintained, the exact details of who already has the social power and why.
I claim that the gulf between being alone and having even two dozen people with you is larger than the gulf between those two dozen and a million.
The best method I can come up with after a few minutes’ thought is this:
Beforehand, learn the local language and make a plan to stay alive for two weeks or so. Bring a few gifts or tradeable goods (fake plastic jewels might work).
Try not to die when interacting with people, and get to some reasonably large population center.
Make a friend who is willing to house and feed you for a while outside the population center.
Let the pestilence you carry do its work.
Get followers by introducing them to the sacred rituals of hand-washing, covering their face when they sneeze, and not shitting in their water supply; thus gaining a reputation as a miraculous savior favored by God.
It is weird to me that the question is about social power, but the discussion focuses overwhelmingly on whether or not we would be able to blacksmith our way 2020.
Most of the conversation hand-waived the core challenges, like being able to not die in the first three days. All other meaningful challenges are people challenges; they are about how and with whom to communicate, what kinds of relationships can be developed and maintained, the exact details of who already has the social power and why.
I claim that the gulf between being alone and having even two dozen people with you is larger than the gulf between those two dozen and a million.
The best method I can come up with after a few minutes’ thought is this:
Beforehand, learn the local language and make a plan to stay alive for two weeks or so. Bring a few gifts or tradeable goods (fake plastic jewels might work).
Try not to die when interacting with people, and get to some reasonably large population center.
Make a friend who is willing to house and feed you for a while outside the population center.
Let the pestilence you carry do its work.
Get followers by introducing them to the sacred rituals of hand-washing, covering their face when they sneeze, and not shitting in their water supply; thus gaining a reputation as a miraculous savior favored by God.
Prophet.