July 8, 2001    
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If, several thousand years in the future, archeologists found remnants of your life, the only evidence of this time period, what conclusions would they make about people who lived in this time (based on what they found about you)?

I'd be classified as a literate recycler.

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
, PA  USA

People were oftentimes bitter and unsatisfied with the things they have b/c there seemed to be this infinate gap and desire for love that was never given and could never be found in the form of perfection. People were hard rock enthusiasts and people enjoyed movies of the most intriguing kind. People desired to express feelings in words and were often unable to find the correct words to use. Overall, they would find from my life much of what is found in every generation-a bitter, confused mass of teen angst.

Angela, 16
Bella Vista
, AR  USA

Whoa, that's a complicated question! I don't even know how to begin to answer that!

Dianne, 16
Ontario  CANADA

Hmm . . .thousands of years. Most of my stuff will have decayed into nothingness. Since I plan on being cremated not even my bones will be left behind to speak of me. The few things that may remain would be bits of plastic and some metal and ceramic objects. I suppose my CDs and audio tapes would remain (although not the machines to run them on so they may be mysterious objects with no understandable purpose), along with my flute, bits of a computer, perhaps a metal lamp or two, some plastic bottles containing household cleaners and makeup, a toothbrush, and brush. None of the books, photos, papers, artwork, or other numerous items that flesh me out would still be around. What the future will make of the remaining objects is hard to say.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA   USA

Damn good question. I guess they'd conclude we were a very cynical civilization that enjoyed being that way.

Alias Irrelevante

Probably many erroneous ones. I can't even begin to guess.

Jane, 60
West Linn
, OR   USA

They would think we were all gay sci-fi junkies who had laptop computers and super liberal ideals. They would think we were all philanthropic and dedicated to community service, bike riding and movies. They would think Judaism was the primary religion and that religion was something to be questioned and not to have blind-faith in.

Eric, 19
Beverly Hills
, CA USA

That we were escapists, hermits, living sedentary lifestyles.. that we read alot..

Talia, 23
Wilton
, CT   USA

Good question. If they found remnants of my life, they would know most teenage girls cared way too much about their outward appearance(I own way too many beauty supplies.) But, then again, I'm sure that will always be true.

Jennifer, 19
Wilkes-Barre
, PA  USA

It would be really unfortunate if the remnants of my life came to represent the people of this time, because I am really not like most people. Perhaps archaelogists would think that we were predominantly an intellectual people, who enjoyed reading and read a great deal. The height of technology we reached was this computer, little better than two cans at the end of a string. We had a predominantly sugary and fatty diet, and lived predominantly in small towns. We were not generally a social people and preferred to keep to ourselves. We lived in fairly small family groups with many, many cats. Of course there would be other things too, but this is what archaelogists would possibly come to conclude about the early 21st century american.

Johanna, 18
OK  USA

This is the best question yet. I keep a lot of diaries through my diary they would assume:

1 - all authoritative figures abuse their power
2 - all children are nasty to each other
3 - all teenagers drink and have sex at an early age

They would think that I was superior only because I acted differently to everyone around me which makes me stand out. I think they would believe people changed jobs frequently due to authoritative figures abusing their power. They would think all families were dysfunctional and violence was part of every day society.

Allie Cat

Oh, wow. I don't know, archaeologists have historically made some weird assumptions. They'd probably think half my stuff had religious significance. I guess they'd think people were obsessed with clothes, videos, books, and photographs.

Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames
, IA  USA

That I tended to collect large quantities of fabric. And for what purpose? Could it be to quilt?

Janet, 42
E. Brunswick
, NJ  USA

People would make several erroneous assumptions about people using me as a basis for life in this time period: Like, they would assume that most people read 36-50 books per year. They would assume that most people wrote novels in their spare time. They would assume that most people were crazy about animals (judging by my number of animals). They would assume that most people worked at dead-end jobs. They would assume that most people were pack rats, and never threw anything away. Of course, they would assume that most people were freaks.

Frodo
age unknown, parts unknown

That we ate a lot of microwave meals.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

Based on what they would find in my house, they'd think that the people of this world were really interested in the natural world and in the Man (Woman?) who created it.

Reba, 51
Rockville
, MD   USA

That people spent too much time revising useless things they don't need to know, and if they weren't doing that they would mope around on the internet all day. They'd think that people could be rather superficial, and sometimes a tad shallow, but open minded and (hopefully) mature. Oh, and they'd also think that everyone was devilishly attractive ;)

Shanna, 16
Cardiff  ENGLAND

People would probably assume that professional wrestling was our national past time. People would probably think that most people were psychotic, neurotic, weird, freaks. People would probably think that people of this area were totally paranoid. Of course, they also come to the conclusion that most people were total failures.

Squirley, 30
Parts Unknown

Yesterday / Tomorrow