The Sword and Laser discussion

Okay, to kinda steal a question from Poindexter of Revenge of the Nerds, this thing was split into the three phases of knowledge acquisition and use. The first is essentially the scramble from the dark ages to acquire scientific knowledge. The second, the secular section or renaissance if you will, is the section in which the science is in full use in a benign way. The third heads into the apocalyptic phase.

Right off the cuff, I think most people would say they'd prefer to live in the second phase. Ease of life and all that. But the others have some strange appeals as well. Living off the land, being forbidden to read, would appeal to a fairly sizable sector of our society (probably not anybody on this site, since we like to read). The end times phase might have an appeal to those who want to live through dramatic events. Of course, the whole question assumes that you survive in any of the three.

So, is there anyone out there who would choose a phase other than the second?

Can you please pre-pend ACFL: to the beginning of the subject?

I want to live in the period where they are shifting from acquisition to use. The medieval period has always appealed to me and I like the idea of being one of the horse tribes/knights in armor that would cross during that time period. Round table vs Lakota appeals the most to my mind.

I'd like to live towards the end of the first phase. Maybe live to get to see these things we'd been protecting help society again :)

I'd like to live towards the end of the first phase. Maybe live to get to see these things we'd been protecting help society again :)

I'd like to live towards the end of the first phase. Maybe live to get to see these things we'd been protecting help society again :)

I'd like to live towards the end of the first phase. Maybe live to get to see these things we'd been protecting help society again :)

Cori wrote: "I'd like to live towards the end of the first phase."

It only works if you tap your heels together 3 times, while repeating it ;-)

how much time was there between the 2nd and 3rd phases, I can't remember if there was a date given, I'd want to be part of the beginning of the 3rd phase

1st Phase was 26th century
2nd Phase was 3174
3rd Phase was 3784

I'm female, which means I'd be discriminated against in any time period prior to the analog of our 20th century, so in terms of actual living experience, I'd prefer third phase, war and all. Also, between the fate of the woman hacked to death by a blunt saber and dying in a nuclear blaze, I'd go for the blaze. Damn, that book was depressing :(
We just don't appreciate how good civilization has made our lives :)

Zina wrote: "I'm female, which means I'd be discriminated against in any time period prior to the analog of our 20th century, so in terms of actual living experience, I'd prefer third phase, war and all. Also, ..."

You really think you'll ever escape being discriminated against? I'm not buying that.

That's depressing.

I know that women didn't have a places as scholars in the old times, but I would really liked to have lived in the Fiat Lux phase. I love reading and learning. Though Thon Taddeo was upset about re-discovering physics and technology, I would have been ecstatic about that.