Inventor that creates machine that grabs man from future












6















Discussing the question "Do you consider yourself superior to people in the old days?," poster Matthew here is looking for the title and author of a short story from a scifi anthology with this plot:




A man invents a machine that can grab a man from the future and bring
him back to the present. He uses the machine, and it works!



He speaks with the man, and sure enough, the society he comes from is
far more advanced. We didn't destroy ourselves or go back to the Stone
Age. All right! So far so good.



He asks how far Medicine has progressed. "Well, we've cured all
disease" the man from the future explained. "When someone is ill, we
just hold this little shiny cube up to them, and it heals them!"



"Tell me about this device. How is it made? What principles does it
make use of?"



"I don't know. That's something only specialists understand. I just
know that it's shiny, a bit warm, and 3x3x3 inches.



And the conversation goes on like this, in other areas of science and
technology: computers, communication, food production, warfare, etc.











share|improve this question



























    6















    Discussing the question "Do you consider yourself superior to people in the old days?," poster Matthew here is looking for the title and author of a short story from a scifi anthology with this plot:




    A man invents a machine that can grab a man from the future and bring
    him back to the present. He uses the machine, and it works!



    He speaks with the man, and sure enough, the society he comes from is
    far more advanced. We didn't destroy ourselves or go back to the Stone
    Age. All right! So far so good.



    He asks how far Medicine has progressed. "Well, we've cured all
    disease" the man from the future explained. "When someone is ill, we
    just hold this little shiny cube up to them, and it heals them!"



    "Tell me about this device. How is it made? What principles does it
    make use of?"



    "I don't know. That's something only specialists understand. I just
    know that it's shiny, a bit warm, and 3x3x3 inches.



    And the conversation goes on like this, in other areas of science and
    technology: computers, communication, food production, warfare, etc.











    share|improve this question

























      6












      6








      6


      1






      Discussing the question "Do you consider yourself superior to people in the old days?," poster Matthew here is looking for the title and author of a short story from a scifi anthology with this plot:




      A man invents a machine that can grab a man from the future and bring
      him back to the present. He uses the machine, and it works!



      He speaks with the man, and sure enough, the society he comes from is
      far more advanced. We didn't destroy ourselves or go back to the Stone
      Age. All right! So far so good.



      He asks how far Medicine has progressed. "Well, we've cured all
      disease" the man from the future explained. "When someone is ill, we
      just hold this little shiny cube up to them, and it heals them!"



      "Tell me about this device. How is it made? What principles does it
      make use of?"



      "I don't know. That's something only specialists understand. I just
      know that it's shiny, a bit warm, and 3x3x3 inches.



      And the conversation goes on like this, in other areas of science and
      technology: computers, communication, food production, warfare, etc.











      share|improve this question














      Discussing the question "Do you consider yourself superior to people in the old days?," poster Matthew here is looking for the title and author of a short story from a scifi anthology with this plot:




      A man invents a machine that can grab a man from the future and bring
      him back to the present. He uses the machine, and it works!



      He speaks with the man, and sure enough, the society he comes from is
      far more advanced. We didn't destroy ourselves or go back to the Stone
      Age. All right! So far so good.



      He asks how far Medicine has progressed. "Well, we've cured all
      disease" the man from the future explained. "When someone is ill, we
      just hold this little shiny cube up to them, and it heals them!"



      "Tell me about this device. How is it made? What principles does it
      make use of?"



      "I don't know. That's something only specialists understand. I just
      know that it's shiny, a bit warm, and 3x3x3 inches.



      And the conversation goes on like this, in other areas of science and
      technology: computers, communication, food production, warfare, etc.








      story-identification short-stories






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked 3 hours ago









      GeremiaGeremia

      627158




      627158






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          8














          Assuming that "Matthew" didn't remember any actual details about the story and just made up the part about the shiny black healing cube, it sounds a lot like "A Bulletin from the Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Research at Marmouth, Mass."a short story by Wilma Shore, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August 1964, available at the Internet Archive.



          They grabbed a men from 2061 and have a short window of time to interview him before they have to send him back:




          Q. You're located in the city? Suburbs? How do you get to work?

          A. I catch the East express. I only have one change. It's about a nineteen-minute ride.

          Q. On what?

          A. The East express.

          Q. I mean, does it go through the air?

          A. How'd you think it went? On the ground?

          Q. Well, but, is it a plane? A jet? You still have jet planes?

          A. Only for locals. I take the express.

          Q. And what is that?

          A. I told you. The East express. Leaves seven thirty-nine, seven fifty-two, and eight sixteen. Then not till nine forty-eight. Seems crazy, bring a man back all these years and then not listen when he tells you.

          Q. Well, you've given me so much interesting detail. Hard to take it all in. About the construction of this—express?

          A. The seats are too close together. Your legs—

          Q. And the overall shape of the thing?

          A. How do you mean?

          Q. How is it shaped? How would you describe it?

          Q. Well, as a general rule, I just see the back end. I get in the left rear door; then when I go to change I'm right there at the local.

          Q. What keeps it up?

          A. Why, the machinery.

          Q. It burns fuel?

          A. Well, of course it does.

          Q. You're being very helpful, Mr. Wencelman. Now, suppose you tell me what kind of fuel?

          A. They keep saying they're going to invent something without fuel, but I'll believe it when I see it. And in the meantime, every year they raise the fare. Someone's cleaning up.

          Q. A nuclear fuel, Mr. Welcelman? Can you tell me that?

          A. I can tell you anything you want to know, just so you phrase your questions—so you phrase your questions, see what I mean? So I can understand them.

          Q. Well, then, is this fuel a nuclear fuel?

          A. Now, you know, I haven't been into all this since high school. If I had a little notice, instead of grabbing me in the middle of the night







          share|improve this answer
























          • This dialog is mildly infuriating.

            – isanae
            34 secs ago



















          0














          There's an astonishingly similar-sounding story called "Renaissance Man" by T. E. D. Klein. It also does not have the cube.



          In this one a professor of "plasma biophysics" is pulled back into the past by a scientific team. But he can't explain how cancer is cured (though it is)




          "That's a toughie, I'm afraid...You see, I've never had cancer myself..."




          or how their ear-mounted phones work




          "Gee...I'm sure I don't know..."




          or their weapons




          "You got me. I'm afraid I'm stumped."




          It ends with one of the scientists saying "I guess even during the Renaissance, there weren't that many Renaissance men."






          share|improve this answer























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            2 Answers
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            active

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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

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            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            8














            Assuming that "Matthew" didn't remember any actual details about the story and just made up the part about the shiny black healing cube, it sounds a lot like "A Bulletin from the Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Research at Marmouth, Mass."a short story by Wilma Shore, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August 1964, available at the Internet Archive.



            They grabbed a men from 2061 and have a short window of time to interview him before they have to send him back:




            Q. You're located in the city? Suburbs? How do you get to work?

            A. I catch the East express. I only have one change. It's about a nineteen-minute ride.

            Q. On what?

            A. The East express.

            Q. I mean, does it go through the air?

            A. How'd you think it went? On the ground?

            Q. Well, but, is it a plane? A jet? You still have jet planes?

            A. Only for locals. I take the express.

            Q. And what is that?

            A. I told you. The East express. Leaves seven thirty-nine, seven fifty-two, and eight sixteen. Then not till nine forty-eight. Seems crazy, bring a man back all these years and then not listen when he tells you.

            Q. Well, you've given me so much interesting detail. Hard to take it all in. About the construction of this—express?

            A. The seats are too close together. Your legs—

            Q. And the overall shape of the thing?

            A. How do you mean?

            Q. How is it shaped? How would you describe it?

            Q. Well, as a general rule, I just see the back end. I get in the left rear door; then when I go to change I'm right there at the local.

            Q. What keeps it up?

            A. Why, the machinery.

            Q. It burns fuel?

            A. Well, of course it does.

            Q. You're being very helpful, Mr. Wencelman. Now, suppose you tell me what kind of fuel?

            A. They keep saying they're going to invent something without fuel, but I'll believe it when I see it. And in the meantime, every year they raise the fare. Someone's cleaning up.

            Q. A nuclear fuel, Mr. Welcelman? Can you tell me that?

            A. I can tell you anything you want to know, just so you phrase your questions—so you phrase your questions, see what I mean? So I can understand them.

            Q. Well, then, is this fuel a nuclear fuel?

            A. Now, you know, I haven't been into all this since high school. If I had a little notice, instead of grabbing me in the middle of the night







            share|improve this answer
























            • This dialog is mildly infuriating.

              – isanae
              34 secs ago
















            8














            Assuming that "Matthew" didn't remember any actual details about the story and just made up the part about the shiny black healing cube, it sounds a lot like "A Bulletin from the Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Research at Marmouth, Mass."a short story by Wilma Shore, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August 1964, available at the Internet Archive.



            They grabbed a men from 2061 and have a short window of time to interview him before they have to send him back:




            Q. You're located in the city? Suburbs? How do you get to work?

            A. I catch the East express. I only have one change. It's about a nineteen-minute ride.

            Q. On what?

            A. The East express.

            Q. I mean, does it go through the air?

            A. How'd you think it went? On the ground?

            Q. Well, but, is it a plane? A jet? You still have jet planes?

            A. Only for locals. I take the express.

            Q. And what is that?

            A. I told you. The East express. Leaves seven thirty-nine, seven fifty-two, and eight sixteen. Then not till nine forty-eight. Seems crazy, bring a man back all these years and then not listen when he tells you.

            Q. Well, you've given me so much interesting detail. Hard to take it all in. About the construction of this—express?

            A. The seats are too close together. Your legs—

            Q. And the overall shape of the thing?

            A. How do you mean?

            Q. How is it shaped? How would you describe it?

            Q. Well, as a general rule, I just see the back end. I get in the left rear door; then when I go to change I'm right there at the local.

            Q. What keeps it up?

            A. Why, the machinery.

            Q. It burns fuel?

            A. Well, of course it does.

            Q. You're being very helpful, Mr. Wencelman. Now, suppose you tell me what kind of fuel?

            A. They keep saying they're going to invent something without fuel, but I'll believe it when I see it. And in the meantime, every year they raise the fare. Someone's cleaning up.

            Q. A nuclear fuel, Mr. Welcelman? Can you tell me that?

            A. I can tell you anything you want to know, just so you phrase your questions—so you phrase your questions, see what I mean? So I can understand them.

            Q. Well, then, is this fuel a nuclear fuel?

            A. Now, you know, I haven't been into all this since high school. If I had a little notice, instead of grabbing me in the middle of the night







            share|improve this answer
























            • This dialog is mildly infuriating.

              – isanae
              34 secs ago














            8












            8








            8







            Assuming that "Matthew" didn't remember any actual details about the story and just made up the part about the shiny black healing cube, it sounds a lot like "A Bulletin from the Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Research at Marmouth, Mass."a short story by Wilma Shore, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August 1964, available at the Internet Archive.



            They grabbed a men from 2061 and have a short window of time to interview him before they have to send him back:




            Q. You're located in the city? Suburbs? How do you get to work?

            A. I catch the East express. I only have one change. It's about a nineteen-minute ride.

            Q. On what?

            A. The East express.

            Q. I mean, does it go through the air?

            A. How'd you think it went? On the ground?

            Q. Well, but, is it a plane? A jet? You still have jet planes?

            A. Only for locals. I take the express.

            Q. And what is that?

            A. I told you. The East express. Leaves seven thirty-nine, seven fifty-two, and eight sixteen. Then not till nine forty-eight. Seems crazy, bring a man back all these years and then not listen when he tells you.

            Q. Well, you've given me so much interesting detail. Hard to take it all in. About the construction of this—express?

            A. The seats are too close together. Your legs—

            Q. And the overall shape of the thing?

            A. How do you mean?

            Q. How is it shaped? How would you describe it?

            Q. Well, as a general rule, I just see the back end. I get in the left rear door; then when I go to change I'm right there at the local.

            Q. What keeps it up?

            A. Why, the machinery.

            Q. It burns fuel?

            A. Well, of course it does.

            Q. You're being very helpful, Mr. Wencelman. Now, suppose you tell me what kind of fuel?

            A. They keep saying they're going to invent something without fuel, but I'll believe it when I see it. And in the meantime, every year they raise the fare. Someone's cleaning up.

            Q. A nuclear fuel, Mr. Welcelman? Can you tell me that?

            A. I can tell you anything you want to know, just so you phrase your questions—so you phrase your questions, see what I mean? So I can understand them.

            Q. Well, then, is this fuel a nuclear fuel?

            A. Now, you know, I haven't been into all this since high school. If I had a little notice, instead of grabbing me in the middle of the night







            share|improve this answer













            Assuming that "Matthew" didn't remember any actual details about the story and just made up the part about the shiny black healing cube, it sounds a lot like "A Bulletin from the Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Research at Marmouth, Mass."a short story by Wilma Shore, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August 1964, available at the Internet Archive.



            They grabbed a men from 2061 and have a short window of time to interview him before they have to send him back:




            Q. You're located in the city? Suburbs? How do you get to work?

            A. I catch the East express. I only have one change. It's about a nineteen-minute ride.

            Q. On what?

            A. The East express.

            Q. I mean, does it go through the air?

            A. How'd you think it went? On the ground?

            Q. Well, but, is it a plane? A jet? You still have jet planes?

            A. Only for locals. I take the express.

            Q. And what is that?

            A. I told you. The East express. Leaves seven thirty-nine, seven fifty-two, and eight sixteen. Then not till nine forty-eight. Seems crazy, bring a man back all these years and then not listen when he tells you.

            Q. Well, you've given me so much interesting detail. Hard to take it all in. About the construction of this—express?

            A. The seats are too close together. Your legs—

            Q. And the overall shape of the thing?

            A. How do you mean?

            Q. How is it shaped? How would you describe it?

            Q. Well, as a general rule, I just see the back end. I get in the left rear door; then when I go to change I'm right there at the local.

            Q. What keeps it up?

            A. Why, the machinery.

            Q. It burns fuel?

            A. Well, of course it does.

            Q. You're being very helpful, Mr. Wencelman. Now, suppose you tell me what kind of fuel?

            A. They keep saying they're going to invent something without fuel, but I'll believe it when I see it. And in the meantime, every year they raise the fare. Someone's cleaning up.

            Q. A nuclear fuel, Mr. Welcelman? Can you tell me that?

            A. I can tell you anything you want to know, just so you phrase your questions—so you phrase your questions, see what I mean? So I can understand them.

            Q. Well, then, is this fuel a nuclear fuel?

            A. Now, you know, I haven't been into all this since high school. If I had a little notice, instead of grabbing me in the middle of the night








            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 2 hours ago









            user14111user14111

            103k6399513




            103k6399513













            • This dialog is mildly infuriating.

              – isanae
              34 secs ago



















            • This dialog is mildly infuriating.

              – isanae
              34 secs ago

















            This dialog is mildly infuriating.

            – isanae
            34 secs ago





            This dialog is mildly infuriating.

            – isanae
            34 secs ago













            0














            There's an astonishingly similar-sounding story called "Renaissance Man" by T. E. D. Klein. It also does not have the cube.



            In this one a professor of "plasma biophysics" is pulled back into the past by a scientific team. But he can't explain how cancer is cured (though it is)




            "That's a toughie, I'm afraid...You see, I've never had cancer myself..."




            or how their ear-mounted phones work




            "Gee...I'm sure I don't know..."




            or their weapons




            "You got me. I'm afraid I'm stumped."




            It ends with one of the scientists saying "I guess even during the Renaissance, there weren't that many Renaissance men."






            share|improve this answer




























              0














              There's an astonishingly similar-sounding story called "Renaissance Man" by T. E. D. Klein. It also does not have the cube.



              In this one a professor of "plasma biophysics" is pulled back into the past by a scientific team. But he can't explain how cancer is cured (though it is)




              "That's a toughie, I'm afraid...You see, I've never had cancer myself..."




              or how their ear-mounted phones work




              "Gee...I'm sure I don't know..."




              or their weapons




              "You got me. I'm afraid I'm stumped."




              It ends with one of the scientists saying "I guess even during the Renaissance, there weren't that many Renaissance men."






              share|improve this answer


























                0












                0








                0







                There's an astonishingly similar-sounding story called "Renaissance Man" by T. E. D. Klein. It also does not have the cube.



                In this one a professor of "plasma biophysics" is pulled back into the past by a scientific team. But he can't explain how cancer is cured (though it is)




                "That's a toughie, I'm afraid...You see, I've never had cancer myself..."




                or how their ear-mounted phones work




                "Gee...I'm sure I don't know..."




                or their weapons




                "You got me. I'm afraid I'm stumped."




                It ends with one of the scientists saying "I guess even during the Renaissance, there weren't that many Renaissance men."






                share|improve this answer













                There's an astonishingly similar-sounding story called "Renaissance Man" by T. E. D. Klein. It also does not have the cube.



                In this one a professor of "plasma biophysics" is pulled back into the past by a scientific team. But he can't explain how cancer is cured (though it is)




                "That's a toughie, I'm afraid...You see, I've never had cancer myself..."




                or how their ear-mounted phones work




                "Gee...I'm sure I don't know..."




                or their weapons




                "You got me. I'm afraid I'm stumped."




                It ends with one of the scientists saying "I guess even during the Renaissance, there weren't that many Renaissance men."







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 33 mins ago









                Organic MarbleOrganic Marble

                25.4k489130




                25.4k489130






























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