Time Travel and Financial Gain: Exploring the Potential of Retro Information
The concept of utilizing information from the past to make money is intriguing and has been a topic of fascination in literature, television, and film. A recent episode of The Twilight Zone titled “Of Late I Think of Cliffordville” brings to life the idea of a character, William Feathersmith, traveling back in time to relive and improve his past. This article explores the potential of using historical information to achieve financial gains.
William Feathersmith and His Journey to the Past
William Feathersmith, an elderly and ruthless business tycoon, dreams of returning to his small hometown of Cliffordville, Indiana, in 1910. His first visit is bittersweet, as he reflects on the past and contemplates why he may be bored and purposeless even at the height of his current success. A mysterious travel agency offers him the chance to relive this period, providing him with the same appearance and memories, but he must give up almost all his liquid assets, leaving him with a modest sum of $1412.
Armed with knowledge of which investments would be successful in the future, Feathersmith invests heavily in the potential oil field in his hometown. The town's citizens, not aware of the groundbreaking extraction technology of the 21st century, offer him the real estate for a fraction of its true value. With a significant sum in hand, Feathersmith considers multiple strategies, but ultimately, his efforts in the stock market lead to losses. His attempts to follow his successful investment paths from the future result in financial missteps. The desperation leads him to ask the travel agent to send him back to 1963, but the story ends before he can undertake this journey.
Realistic Time Travel Scenarios
The idea of using a time machine to gain financial advantages from the past is fascinating, but let's consider a more realistic and relatable scenario. Imagine a time machine is set for 2012, and the present point is set to 26 April 2021.
The Power of Lotto Information
Imagine using a bit of historical financial insight to make money. A simple yet effective example comes from predicting the outcome of the New Zealand Lotto. Nine years ago, on 21 April 2012, you would look up the winning numbers. Using this information, you can buy a ticket with the winning numbers for the next draw. The key here is to not be greedy and be content with a modest win, say $250,000 instead of $1 million or $333,000. By doing so, you're ensuring you don't win and potentially don't have to share the winnings, thereby changing the history slightly.
Capitalizing on Historical Knowledge
Assuming only one person claimed the prize, you can potentially win four times as much if you split the winnings with the other winners. This method doesn't change the rules but slightly shifts the outcome of the lottery. If the numbers in Lotto are truly random, this gain may differ each time you go back in time. However, it's important to note that such a scenario would only work if the rules allow claimants more than a year and the information remains private.
Furthermore, buying shares of Apple stock in the 1980s and selling them in 2021 would also be a financially rewarding venture. However, the unpredictability of the stock market means that the gains will be different each time you travel back and forth.
Conclusion
The potential for financial gain through the use of historical information is fascinating, albeit filled with ethical and logistical challenges. The stories of William Feathersmith and the real-life lottery example highlight the unique opportunities and risks involved. Whether in a television episode or in real life, the idea of traveling back in time to exploit information for financial gain remains an intriguing notion, as long as the rules of time travel and the unpredictability of the future are kept in mind.