What if you had the ability to gaze into the past...

[4RM3D]

What if you had the ability to gaze into the past, BUT you could only use this ability once and only for a one week time period. Which week in history would you gaze upon? And why?

Having said that, I actually have no idea what to pick (yet). But I am curious what others will pick.

 

[DasDestroyer]

Can you look anywhere in the world, or only at things that are in your field of view? Because if so I'd probably save the power until I absolutely need to know what someone else is doing, and spy on them. 1 second ago is the past too

 

[Dead Seerius]

I would find out what really happened during that whole Roswell UFO fiasco (Area 51). The truth must be outed!

Then I would exploit my ability for profit.
"I know EXACTLY where you left your car keys, ma'am."

 

[4RM3D]

Can you look anywhere in the world, or only at things that are in your field of view? Because if so I'd probably save the power until I absolutely need to know what someone else is doing, and spy on them. 1 second ago is the past too

Anywhere, anytime... your choice. But it seems you have already chosen. The only question is what would someone possible have to do in order for you to use your one-time-power?

 

[Wadders]

I'd go back to late June/early July 1644, in Civil War era England. I'd pay particular attention to the activities of the Royalist forces and especially William Cavendish Marquess of Newcastle and his advisers.

Then I'd be able to unravel the mysteries surrounding the start of the Battle or Marston Moor, and find out for sure why Cavendish fled England after defeat, despite being an uber-Royalist. A week should be plenty to cover all these events. Plus such a momentous moment in British history would be awesome to witness anyway.

I'm fascinated by 17th Century England anyway, but this would help a shit-load for my dissertation too

 

[SckizoBoy]

Having said that, I actually have no idea what to pick (yet). But I am curious what others will pick.

You've had a few responses now, what's your pick?!

I'd go back to late June/early July 1644, in Civil War era England. I'd pay particular attention to the activities of the Royalist forces and especially William Cavendish Marquess of Newcastle and his advisers.

Then I'd be able to unravel the mysteries surrounding the start of the Battle or Marston Moor, and find out for sure why Cavendish fled England after defeat, despite being an uber-Royalist. A week should be plenty to cover all these events. Plus such a momentous moment in British history would be awesome to witness anyway.

As an enthusiast of military analysis, the English Civil War bores me to tears, even though the politics of it is both fathomless and glorious... though regarding his leaving England after Marston Moor, I'd hazard a guess it's for much the same reason de la Motte Fouque refused to return to Potsdam after Prague... *shrug*

OT: There are a few one week time periods I'd like to observe:

1) 206BC - a little south of Seville. Just what did Africanus do during the days before the battle of Ilipa?! How much of an idiot was Gisco really? And where was Laelius?

2) 1815 (13th-20th June, Belgium) - just to tag along with Cavalie Mercer (what a name!) and see exactly when the battle opened, since no-one really knows... and so as I can pop over to Wavre and see if Clausewitz was any good in the field.

3) 1813 (14th-21st October, Leipzig) - just for the spectacle... three quarters of a million French, various German, Austrian, Polish & Russian soldiers duking it out. -_-

4) 216BC (29th July - 4th August, Canne della Battaglia) - you seeing a pattern yet?!

5) 1951 (not sure of actual dates, King's College London) - non-warfare one, but I'd really like to see Rosalind Franklin just as she took the X-ray photos and started to interpret them to obtain the structures of DNA-A & B. That'd be fucking sweet...

Erm... I'll get back to you if I have any more... -_-

 

[Wadders]

Having said that, I actually have no idea what to pick (yet). But I am curious what others will pick.

You've had a few responses now, what's your pick?!

I'd go back to late June/early July 1644, in Civil War era England. I'd pay particular attention to the activities of the Royalist forces and especially William Cavendish Marquess of Newcastle and his advisers.

Then I'd be able to unravel the mysteries surrounding the start of the Battle or Marston Moor, and find out for sure why Cavendish fled England after defeat, despite being an uber-Royalist. A week should be plenty to cover all these events. Plus such a momentous moment in British history would be awesome to witness anyway.

As an enthusiast of military analysis, the English Civil War bores me to tears, even though the politics of it is both fathomless and glorious... though regarding his leaving England after Marston Moor, I'd hazard a guess it's for much the same reason de la Motte Fouque refused to return to Potsdam after Prague... *shrug*

Fair enough, I'd have to agree. I'm no military historian and so have only a passing interest in the battle itself. As far as I understand it warfare in ECW was pretty antiquated, with continental tactical innovations being introduced pretty sparingly. Not greatly interesting in itself.

I'm more of a social history/history of ideas kind of person. The relationships between Newcastle, Price Rupert, Lt. General James King etc. and the influence they had on events would be more interesting to find out for certain. Also I'm more interested in Newcastle as an exemplar/virtual embodiment of the idea of gentry honour culture than for his military exploits, although they play a part in those ideas.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Fair enough, I'd have to agree. I'm no military historian and so have only a passing interest in the battle itself. As far as I understand it warfare in ECW was pretty antiquated, with continental tactical innovations being introduced pretty sparingly. Not greatly interesting in itself.

Yeah... but despite the lack of particularly advanced military methods in the ECW, it's still good as a comparative study, not so much to go hurr hurr, dem English suck'd, but to answer why they lagged behind. Internal difficulties, combined with island nation and almost complete lack of involvement in Continental politics was going to add up. And it was actually a bit of a surprise that the Roundheads did so well in the event, since Rupert was with the Royalists and introduced a few tactical developments. However, having said that, he tried to do too much with the system, since it was good for Germans/French etc., but less so for the Brits.

Ah well...

I'm more of a social history/history of ideas kind of person. The relationships between Newcastle, Price Rupert, James King etc. and the influence they had on events would be more interesting to find out for certain. Also I'm more interested in Newcastle as an exemplar/virtual embodiment of the idea of gentry honour culture than for his military exploits, although they play a part in those ideas.

And given my responses, you can guess what kind of historian I tend towards being! -_-

Once again, that said, regarding Prince Rupert, I find fascinating less for his military exploits, but his scientific ones. His contributions to metallurgy, materials and chemistry are usually very underestimated. Part of what he did helped make the RN dominant in the centuries to come (gun casting techniques etc.).

 

[Rhymer]

I suppose I'd take a look at the birth of the universe. I heard it was quite a spectacle.

 

[A_Parked_Car]

I would certainly like to observe the Battle of Midway in 1942. If I had to choose a viewpoint (as opposed to being omniscient), I would be on the bridge of Akagi. I would really like to observe how Nagumo reacted to the events going on around him.

 

[someonehairy-ish]

Can we record it? I'd like to watch our recent ancestors, maybe homo erectus, just to disprove the particularly stupid 'humans lived with dinosaurs at one point' brand of creationism.

 

[Wadders]

Yeah... but despite the lack of particularly advanced military methods in the ECW, it's still good as a comparative study, not so much to go hurr hurr, dem English suck'd, but to answer why they lagged behind. Internal difficulties, combined with island nation and almost complete lack of involvement in Continental politics was going to add up. And it was actually a bit of a surprise that the Roundheads did so well in the event, since Rupert was with the Royalists and introduced a few tactical developments. However, having said that, he tried to do too much with the system, since it was good for Germans/French etc., but less so for the Brits.

Ah well...

Sure, they weren't bereft of innovation. Of course both sides had among their number veterans of the 30 Years War, but like you said maybe Rupert tried to do too much. Firing towns might have been OK for him to do on the continent but it wasn't going to slide over this side of the channel

And given my responses, you can guess what kind of historian I tend towards being! -_-

Once again, that said, regarding Prince Rupert, I find fascinating less for his military exploits, but his scientific ones. His contributions to metallurgy, materials and chemistry are usually very underestimated. Part of what he did helped make the RN dominant in the centuries to come (gun casting techniques etc.).

Yeah well fair play to you! A lot of military history seems ever so complex. I'm interested in weaponry, changes in the way wars were fought etc. but I just don't have the brain for all the tactical nitty-gritty!

Fair point; I'm sure its true of many other historical figures that due to their famous or infamous military activity some of their other contributions get overlooked. Although Charles Spencer's biography of Rupert certainly avoids doing that - but I guess you might have read that?

 

[Fluffythepoo]

The week of my earliest childhood memory. i was a baby couldnt have been more than a year old and im not sure if the memory is real, apparently the bathrobe my mother was wearing in my memory wasnt actually purchased until i was about 4, so the memory of me crying in my crib, and my mother and brother rushing in to check on me might have been fabricated.. just need some goddamn resolution to this

 

[Akytalusia]

for me, there is no question. the only answer is to witness the beginning. any other response is a wasted opportunity.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Sure, they weren't bereft of innovation. Of course both sides had among their number veterans of the 30 Years War, but like you said maybe Rupert tried to do too much. Firing towns might have been OK for him to do on the continent but it wasn't going to slide over this side of the channel

Ha! I think it was Leicester (not quite sure), where he trashed the place and went up going to horrified British looks, 'what?! don't you guys do that here?! how strange!' Still did it a couple more times... may be why the Royalist cause lost support (amongst a host of other reasons, undoubtedly).

Fair point; I'm sure its true of many other historical figures that due to their famous or infamous military activity some of their other contributions get overlooked. Although Charles Spencer's biography of Rupert certainly avoids doing that - but I guess you might have read that?

Actually, I haven't... because of the era, I'm not that into individual biographies of people (earliest I go in Europe, ancient Rome/Greece notwithstanding) is Frederick the Great... -_- But yeah, I definitely respect Prince Rupert as a scientist, though he was that archetypal cavalier, and it's rather amusing when you look at propaganda about Boye!

 

[Wadders]

Sure, they weren't bereft of innovation. Of course both sides had among their number veterans of the 30 Years War, but like you said maybe Rupert tried to do too much. Firing towns might have been OK for him to do on the continent but it wasn't going to slide over this side of the channel

Ha! I think it was Leicester (not quite sure), where he trashed the place and went up going to horrified British looks, 'what?! don't you guys do that here?! how strange!' Still did it a couple more times... may be why the Royalist cause lost support (amongst a host of other reasons, undoubtedly).

I think Birmingham was the main one he fired, my memory escapes me but I've no doubt he trashed a few other places, like Leicester as you said, before other Royalist leaders reigned him in a bit! And yeah, the conduct of Royalist troops (although Parliament wasn't innocent of this either) caused a lot of public consternation and even armed commoner uprisings towards the end of the wars.

Actually, I haven't... because of the era, I'm not that into individual biographies of people (earliest I go in Europe, ancient Rome/Greece notwithstanding) is Frederick the Great... -_- But yeah, I definitely respect Prince Rupert as a scientist, though he was that archetypal cavalier, and it's rather amusing when you look at propaganda about Boye!

Yeah there are some quite interesting Parliamentary woodcuts of Rupert hiding in a field after Marston Moor whilst his evil devil hound/familiar lies slain next to the ransacked baggage train

Understandable, biographies have their limits of you're looking for a slightly bigger scope - still often interesting in their own right though. Seems like you have interest in a lot of different periods - must be nice to switch from one to another, I'm far too absorbed in 17th century for my own good!

 

[necromanzer52]

Can I use 3 days, and save the other 4 for something else? Cause I just wanna see woodstock. If not, then I think I'll follow around some of the musicians, during the days preceding, and following the event.

 

[DasDestroyer]

Can you look anywhere in the world, or only at things that are in your field of view? Because if so I'd probably save the power until I absolutely need to know what someone else is doing, and spy on them. 1 second ago is the past too

Anywhere, anytime... your choice. But it seems you have already chosen. The only question is what would someone possible have to do in order for you to use your one-time-power?

That's a difficult question... knowing my gaming habits, I'll probably never use it That's how it always is with consumables with me, I'll hoard them, not use them until the very last moment, and at that point I either don't need them anymore, or even if I use it, I'm still doomed.
But I could always brag to my friends about having the ability to look into the past!

 

[ClockworkPenguin]

I do... it's called regret *sobs loudly into hankerchief*.

OT; Personally, I'd bone up on ancient greek and watch the trial and execution of Socrates. It'd be interesting to see if he was as awesome as Plato made him out to be.