The novel Replay by Ken Grimwood sent its victim back to his youth, over and over again. My question draws its inspiration from this, with important differences.
Instead of going back some twenty-five years, you will go back a century or more. Instead of dying when you reach forty-two again, you are again reincarnated in the universe you have created, unlike the Replay character.
So this is the deal: Where would you like to start intervening in human history? Remember, it is a one way trip that will last forever. You will be transported to whatever time period you choose and will be reincarnated in the universe you just died in. I know that being a teenager again will be a drag but think of the advantages of being a baby again. : )
You could start deep in prehistory and guide humanity over the millennia before anyone has left Africa. You could start at the time of Christ and help spread His message with greater fidelity. You could start with Marx and help realize the communist ideal. Where do you think it all went wrong and where do you think the fulcrum point is?
Usually, when faced with this kind of question, I take the Cycladic civilization but my recent thinking has been revolving around Athens in the 5th century, perhaps because there are so many parallels. Athens tragically lost the Peloponnesian War through internal flaws and it is these that I yearn to fix. A warning about the coming plague with some advice regarding an certain foolish military adventure in a far away land of which the Athenians knew little.
Syracuse = Iraq?
or
vice versa?
Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.
I’ll include a poll though comments would be better.