Poll: Rich in the past or stay in the present?

[tippy2k2]

I'm in the process of reading 11/22/63 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11/22/63], which is the inspiration for this thread (and a pretty sweet read so far, I'd highly recommend it!).

Simple Question:
If you were given the chance to go back to September 9, 1958, would you go? You would be given the chance to research it first so you could easily become rich (stock market, sport betting, etc.) or would you rather just stay where you're at in the present? If you choose to go back, you could NOT return to the future (unless you live that long I suppose...)

1958 Pros:
-A "Simpler" time
-Easily become rich with your future knowledge
-You could control a lot; become a hero by stopping crimes you are aware of with your knowledge (as the name of the book implies, the characters goal is to stop JFK from being assassinated)
-There would be no "Space-time Continuum" issues. For example, you could kill your own grandpa with no adverse affects (or kill baby-you when you're born you if you wanted to you weirdo)

1958 Cons:
-Loss of technology (cell phones, computers, video games, etc.)
-Loss of friends/family that you currently have (they don't get to come with)
-Rampant racism/sexism pending where you decide to go

Obviously there are a lot of Pros and Cons that I have missed (and if you have your own, feel free to throw them in your post) but what would you do?

 

[NegaWiki]

Present. I'm too accustomed to our modern gadgets and notably laid back attitude.
I would love to live in the 80's though, the things I would do there.

 

[Dragonclaw]

I'd go to the past. I like simpler times, the music, and I think I'd fit in just fine...and being wealthy would just be icing.

 

[darlarosa]

Considering I'm a black, female, who dreads being alone(not having close connections). I think I would pass.

 

[Goofguy]

I'd go back, only so I could be back on The Escapist in 2012 as a rich, curmudgeonly 80 year old. Better yet, I would own The Escapist and call all the shots.

But seriously, I think I would. First of all, I'd know how the Cold War would end (barring I don't do anything to change its outcome) so I wouldn't be too worried about it. Plus, I'd be able to enjoy the free 60s and Led Zeppelin live. And finally, I could invest in all the developing technologies thus making a very rich man. Most importantly though, I could stop Joel Schumacher from ever making those Batman movies.

 

[IndomitableSam]

Past. I could do the same thing I do now (librarian) and not be judged for not being married because librarians are awesome in history like that. I'd go run a small library in a small town and read and write and ride horses and garden and have lots of cats. I would love it. I would miss technology, but I might be happier living a simpler life.

 

[Asita]

Present. I don't want to have to deal with the Red Scare and its associated stupidity, nor that of the Satanic Panic of the 80s, and the fact that I'd be rolling my eyes at the both of them would kinda mean that people would be accusing me of being a communist[footnote]And my irreligious nature would be taken as further proof, considering that at the height of the Red Scare atheism was heavily associated with Communism, hence the changing of the national motto and addition to the Pledge of Allegiance (at least according to a few authors)[/footnote] in the former, and a satanist in the latter. And then of course there's the draft...and the various social injustices of that era[footnote]That is not to suggest that we lack social injustices in today's world, but that we had additional ones in the past[/footnote]...and the fashion of the 70s *shudder*...

 

[sextus the crazy]

I think I'll stay in the time period in which my chances of being imminently drafted are much lower. Also, there'd be a distinct lack of Japanese entertainment and Heavy Metal.

 

[ThePenguinKnight]

Present because I love our medical advancements, technology, and freedom.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Sorry, but I couldn't go back to the past. It would be amazing to watch The Moon Landing as it happens and it would be great walking around being all chipper despite everyone else being scared shitless due to the looming threat of mutually assured destruction but, I have it really well here. I wouldn't go back, even if it does mean I get to punch my dad in the scrotum before he knows how to use it.

 

[Dimitriov]

Well let's see...

I'm, a white male... so yeah. I would. Since I could be rich, as you suggest, I am really not seeing the negatives. Plus I could FINALLY smoke in a goddam restaraunt if I felt like it.

Seriously, I could travel the world (and know where not go, and when) buy sweet cars at incredibly reasonable prices (even really awesome cars used to be a whole lot cheaper, after taking inflation into account... because otherwise, duh).

All kinds of great food and wine would be available, not to mention books. I can't see any reason I would really miss technology that much. Seriously the only real sticking point about these kinds of questions ("would you live in the past") is the potential horrors of bathroom hygiene, and the 1950's doesn't have that issue.

Also, to anyone worrying about the draft... uh, especially if you're rich you don't have to live in America... and you know who's really good at getting out of military service? Rich people. Just Saiyan

 

[chadachada123]

On the plus side, I'd have the knowledge and physical capability to make it pretty much anywhere in the US.

I'm a white twenty year old male and a state swimmer, and I currently attend one of the best universities in the country. I don't even have anything physically wrong with me other than minor annoyances like a sweating problem.

On the negative side, I'd go back to the year before my mother was born. Eh. I'm not so sure about THAT.

But on the plus side, infinite wealth.

But on the negative side, I'd be 75 years old before reaching this time period again.

It's a tough call.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

I'm a white male with little in the way of friends or family and I'm fairly young, so the only downside would be tech and that could EASILY be turned around with enough research.

I would go without a second thought. Jumpstart technology. Get massive amounts of money.

Everything would be great.

 

[Kae]

I'd go back in time, after memorizing all sorts of technologies and bring a lot of schematics with me, then I would create the technology earlier and just watch how I change the world, could be for better or for worse for all I know, but yeah, I would like a chance of changing history just to see how it goes.

 

[DanielBrown]

Present. I need my video games and metal/punk music to survive!

 

[floppylobster]

1958 Pros:
-Loss of technology (cell phones, computers, video games, etc.)
-Loss of friends/family that you currently have (they don't get to come with)

 

[ThatDarnCoyote]

I think I'd rather stay here than live through the wretched 60s and appalling 70s.

Though it would be nice to see the Ramones live at the beginning of their career.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

First, learn everything I can about modern computers, horse racing results, and lottery ticket numbers, than go to 1958 and invent the internet!