If given the opportunity to present five items to be placed in a time capsule that would be opened in 100 years, I would choose an iPhone 5c, my favourite book, a bottle of maple syrup, Canadian change, and a photograph. I believe these items are an important part of our lives as Canadians, and that they should be shared with the eventual world.
My first choice would be an iPhone 5c. Currently, this is the technology that I use most in my life. I feel this is an important thing to add to the time capsule because it would give the people of the future a glimpse into the lives of the people of 2016. An iPhone is one of the most popular forms of entertainment today, it could show how technology has developed. We want this approaching society to understand what was significant to us today. For instance, the use of apps involving weather forecasts, online payments, health apps, anything and everything, right at the palm of our hand. There is so much important information, within such a small device, from all over the world, that it would be important for the future to see. In my opinion, the future will either hold amazing things, with new technology, and this would show what once was, and how we got to where we are in 2116. Although, there is also the chance that the future will hold chaos, if this becomes the case, the openers of this capsule will see where we were today, and hopefully understand where it all went wrong.
Another way I would show those of the future the typical life of a Canadian citizen would be through maple syrup. Kept in a freezer, it will last forever, just like the memories it holds. Being a huge part of all of our lives, I believe it is only necessary to show the future our delicacy. We can never be certain that syrup will even exist in 100 years, we can not even say trees will exist, or even humanity. Yet, if it so happens that we survive, it would be important to show one of the things we are known for most: maple. The maple leaf is a part of our lives as a Canadian in many ways, it is on our flag, everywhere. Future residents may not understand the true power of the maple leaf, and its complexity. With this addition to the time capsule, we can attempt to give them an idea of this part of our lives.
Money is changing everyday: it’s worth, it’s look. It would be important to add this to our time capsule because in 100 years time, money may not exist, and the symbols presented on our change may not be significant then. History is always important to anyone’s life, giving the future an idea of our most precious symbols now, may be good for their future as well. Stories can be passed down, of our queen, our beavers, polar bears, moose, all things that in 100 years young people may not remember. Even now, money is disappearing. The penny, once an important part of our currency, now insignificant. Nowadays, everything is becoming digital, in 100 years, money could become completely technological; debit and credit could take over our lives. Finding these things could improve their knowledge of the past, and by asking their families, they could learn so much more.
Selecting favourite novels to be placed in the capsule would be a relevant addition. Literature changes everyday, and it would be good for the future to see what was popular to the Canadian’s of today. This would give the future an idea of what was used as entertainment for some, and knowledge for others. Also, could give the residents of Canada an image of how much literature has changed throughout the years. In 100 years, anything could change, and sense even now, physical books are slowly disappearing and becoming digital, who knows where the future will lead. I think the history of what our popular novels are now, would be a particularly interesting addition to the time capsule, especially for those literature fanatics, who find beauty in a paperback copy.
Adding a photograph of a common Canadian activity like, hunting, fishing, hockey, etc. would be an important aspect of our lives to share with the men and women in 100 years. Pastimes throughout history change drastically, so to inform the future residents of what we, as Canadians did in the past, would be something that would interest anyone in the future. Another option for the photograph, would be one portraying a Canadian landscape. For instance, the Hopewell Rocks would be an interesting choice. With the world changing everyday, and erosion being a major problem, we cannot be certain that these fascinating tourist attractions will still exist. We need to share these parts of our lives with the future of Canada.
It is my assumption that all of these seemingly irrelevant parts of Canadian lives today, will be the history of our inevitable fate. I believe that these items should be taken under great consideration, and pondered of their importance to this capsule.
Letter:
Dear future residents of Canada,
I am writing to you from the year 2016. My name is Gina, I am a 16 year old resident of Blackville, New Brunswick. Alongside my mother, father, and two brothers, I am proud to call Canada my home, even when things become questionable. Today, I am writing in hopes that you will take the time to remember us, “people from the past” even for a moment.
You may have heard stories, about the generation that could not survive without technology. However, I want to tell you, that we were not all hopeless. In our time on earth, we did amazing things, as well as things we aren’t so proud of. Gender equality is still something we’re working on, but we’ve come a long way. Same sex marriage has become legal in the United States, which was a huge step in equality. I can only hope, in your time on earth, you never have to worry about whether you are being treated equal to others, based on your gender identity, sexuality, or race. Although, as of now, in the year 2016, we are still struggling against this notion. There have been more deaths in our generation from suicide, and racial, as well as sexualism attacks, than there have been ever in history.
Technology can be the cause of many great things if used properly, but you need to be cautious of the harm it can do also. In our time, terrifying things have happened. One event that still haunts the minds of our parents, like 9/11. As well, events that are still fresh in the minds of the young, like terrorist attacks all over the world: Paris, Brussels, and even shootings everywhere, including ones in our own nation. I want to warn you, having this connection to technology is the best, and worst thing that has happened to this generation. With this, we can spread a word around the world in a second, we can get people from other continents involved in things that do not even affect them, and we can even develop things to help you, the people of the future.
If it was not for us, the planets that make up our solar system would remain unknown to many. We have built robots, and droids that can travel far distances, and teach of the greatest part of our generation: discovery. In July of 2015, our farthest planet was visited by these inventions. With this, Pluto has been given a new face. Although, if it was not for us, I hope you would have never known who a man named Donald Trump is. I am uncertain whether you will be in chaos because of this knowledge, or oblivious to the things that could have happened. With this technology we created, a man who believed he could “make America great again” was given his shot in the spotlight. As a result, cultures have been offended, even shamed, and men and women of every perspective have been taunted by this new judgement.
You may wonder about all the amazing things that occurred in our time. Sadly, I do not have the writing capacity to inform you of it all. Yet, if you look around you, at all the hopefully astonishing inventions that the people of your time created, maybe you can understand that although we were a generation engulfed in technology, that is not always a bad thing.
Yours truly,
Gina, from the past
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