What would be in such a case? I thought of a few items, but nothing that really stood out as the obviously correct choice. Any input?

...yes, this is what I think about at night. What?

- J

Perhaps a time machine, you don't want to go into the future without one.

...What are you asking?

Stammer:
...What are you asking?

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough.

In office buildings and schools and the like, one often sees glass cases containing fire extinguishers or axes or something. There will be a sign mounted to the case reading "In Case of Emergency: Break Glass". This is often where The Hero will get his weapon in the event of a sudden attack by monsters or something.

I was thinking about people's fears, and how the future was usually pretty high on the list, and how we therefore should develop some form of contingency plan and prepared stockpile to be used in the event that the future should happen. Then I started thinking about what would be inside a case that said "In Case of Future: Break Glass". Normally, when I start thinking along these lines, there will be an idea that pops in that seems (to my mind) to be the "right" answer to the question for me, whether it's the best punch line to the joke or the most practical device for the situation or whatever, but I have no clear picture of what would be in the future box. Thus, I'm looking for input. Clear?

- J

Ahh...
Well, the thing in the box to help you in the future lest it cometh would obviously be a Mr. Fusion. Everybody needs immense power input, and now you can have it, fueled by Pepsi and banana peels.

One thing that I know is going to happen is all human beings will be the same. This will be true in richer countries first and then eventually spread to third-world countries when the technology reaches them.

They already have the ability to alter genes to get rid of possible diseases and deformities in a child once its cells start to develop. They're also already talking about making it possible to choose your child's athleticism, intelligence, looks, and really anything along those lines.

One day, every human being is going to be an attractive human being with both reproductive organs, knowing the complete works of Shakespeare by age: 2, and being able to leap tall buildings with a single bound.

When this happens, I want out of the world.

tiredinnuendo:

I was thinking about people's fears, and how the future was usually pretty high on the list, and how we therefore should develop some form of contingency plan and prepared stockpile to be used in the event that the future should happen.

\

Mosin-Nagant, 50,000 Rounds, and lots of Smirnoff. Doth thou questioneth my logic?

"In case of future: Break glass"

If the future included a computer gaining awareness and uprising, I would say the glass needs a REALLY BIG HAMMER.

Anarchemitis:
Ahh...
Well, the thing in the box to help you in the future lest it cometh would obviously be a Mr. Fusion. Everybody needs immense power input, and now you can have it, fueled by Pepsi and banana peels.

Ha! Well said!

I would have to go with dental floss. Man, when a piece of something gets stuck between your teeth or in your gums and you can't get it out...awful! Ruins the whole day, not to mention the start of gingivitis.

Ordinary hand soap.

I've been mulling over it, and the best I can come up with is Religion. Or possibly soap.

What we're looking for here is something which could defeat the future, as a fire extinguisher in the "In Case of Fire" box would be used to defeat the fire.

As movies have taught me, 9 out of 10 futures are post-apocalyptic, and either dirty or sweaty depending on region, so soap seemed like a solid entry. But then I thought, "Wait! The problem with future is change! We need something that has a proven resistance to change if we are to defeat the future!" and the best I could come up with was religion (and don't go nuts on this point, I'm religious after all).

I still feel like there has to be a better answer though...

- J

Ciggies, ho-hos and beer. With those three things, I could ignore Thor himself. Or failing that, offer him a smoke, a couple of ho-hos and half the six-pack.

since no one else has said it and may i also add for shame on you geeks :P

a towel, possibly a guiness bar towel since it is the future they might have them, but other than that just a plain old towel

cleverlymadeup:
since no one else has said it and may i also add for shame on you geeks :P

a towel, possibly a guiness bar towel since it is the future they might have them, but other than that just a plain old towel

Dig that hoopy frood! There's a guy who really knows where his towel's at! ;p

- A paradox to end the future.

Btw i cant see anyones picture's can anyone help me?

a belt-fed shotgun with mix-and-match ammunition types and an armored hazmat suit. i'm also keeping the sledgehammer needed to break it.

cleverlymadeup:
a towel, possibly a guiness bar towel since it is the future they might have them, but other than that just a plain old towel

Since I didn't think of that, the robots of the future have probably already won.

Stammer:

One day, every human being is going to be an attractive human being with both reproductive organs, knowing the complete works of Shakespeare by age: 2, and being able to leap tall buildings with a single bound.

When this happens, I want out of the world.

Did somebody say Ubermensch? I can't wait for a eugenics program. Nothing in any chemical bonds worth getting sentimental over. Besides, a world in which we all operated on an augmented physical and mental level would be nice. Ignorance would be all but stamped out as ability to process information was increased and there would still be enough emotional differences between people to maintain individuality. Granted, it'd be a much different standard of individuality but hey, it'd be a whole new species too.
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I'd get me a whole mess of pheromones. No matter what happens in the future, being able to chemically control people will be a bonus.

John Galt:

I'd get me a whole mess of pheromones. No matter what happens in the future, being able to chemically control people will be a bonus.

No. No it wouldn't.

If it was, then the entire idea of having freedom of choice would be destroyed. Also, the commercial industry would shove endless torrents of CRAP and you would feel as if your having the time of your life.

A towel.

Extra thongs.

A gun with only one bullet. Definitely a necessity if (America, at least) continues down the path it's on.

Crowbar, PHD and a Hev Suit.

Nothing else is required.

isjusterin:
A towel.

Already been said.

How about an old diary? Massive worldwide change doesn't really mean a whole lot unless you know where you came from. That or a sandwich. Sandwiches are nice.

I don't care what it is as long as we don't end up like the people in Wal-E (which I got back from an hour ago) then I'm good!

A stick, the second most useful thing in the universe.

SteinFaust:
A belt-fed shotgun with mix-and-match ammunition types and an armored hazmat suit. I'm also keeping the sledgehammer needed to break it.

Yep, the world energy crisis will be saved by gun violence.

a rubber band

TheKnifeJuggler:

John Galt:

I'd get me a whole mess of pheromones. No matter what happens in the future, being able to chemically control people will be a bonus.

No. No it wouldn't.

If it was, then the entire idea of having freedom of choice would be destroyed. Also, the commercial industry would shove endless torrents of CRAP and you would feel as if your having the time of your life.

*Remembers to put "Aim away from face" on pheromone can*

Hmm an atomic clock with both the date and time. Might be helpful in post-apocolyptic type futures.

Hard vacuum.

Or, if there actually had to be something behind the glass, a black hole.

In a less depressing light, I'll say: a vault suit.

A Jesus Action Figure that recites Bible versus to quell the infidel Robots.
(Newer posters think I'm joking)

cleverlymadeup:
since no one else has said it and may i also add for shame on you geeks :P

a towel, possibly a guiness bar towel since it is the future they might have them, but other than that just a plain old towel

remember to soak some nutrients and barbecue sauce into it.

A untreatable plague that would kill off all the world's politicians, scientists, and big rich corporate businessmen. If science fiction (especially in the movies) has taught us anything it's that these three groups are most often responsible for wrecking the future. Somehow, they'll find some source of unspeakable power and/or evil, and they'll find some way to release it on the general populace. Half-Life 2 is just such a cautionary tale. As is Bioshock.

That's what would be in the case. If you saw the future coming, you would just smash it open, and *HURK*! they collapse to the ground before they're able to release said source of unspeakable power and/or evil.

HobbesMkii:
A untreatable plague that would kill off all the world's politicians, scientists, and big rich corporate businessmen.

Barbarian.

All the scienists? Each and every one of them? Plus all businessmen? Congratulations, you've prevented stem-cell research and plunged humanity into the Dark Ages. Again.