On the train tonight, I sat next to Zebadiah, an interesting man. He gave me this hypothetical scenario.
“A panel of alien overlords are going to decide whether Earth is destroyed. You are the one who has to have the meeting with them, and you get to bring one thing with you – an object or a human.
That one thing can be used to influence the aliens as to why they should let Earth continue to be, or that thing can just be something special to you that you get to keep for the rest of your life. Whether or not Earth is destroyed, you get to keep living (on Earth or in outer space).
What person or thing would you bring?”
(Of course, feel free to answer (in the comments would be lovely, or you can just answer to yourself).)
While formulating my answer, my first question was whether I could bring someone from the past. Obviously, if possible, I would bring Michael Jackson. If he doesn’t make you believe in humanity, I don’t know who can.
And, if the aliens somehow decide to destroy Earth anyway, at least I get to spend the rest of my life hanging out with Michael Jackson. Plus, he’s obviously a male, so we could keep the human race going. As much as I absolutely do not want to bear children under any circumstances, if I was the only hope of keeping the human race alive, and the kids would get to be part Michael Jackson, I would at least consider considering it.
None of that perfect answer mattered, ‘cause Zebediah said I couldn’t bring Michael Jackson back to life.
Then I asked if I could bring a Broadway show, because since Michael Jackson is no longer here, there is nothing more magical on Earth than a Broadway show. Zebadiah said it was a clever idea to try and call a Broadway show my “one thing,” since it is sort of a complete entity, but I’d get a bunch of people, and clothes, and technology, and a theater out of it. But no dice. I had to just pick one human or object.
That’s when I finally decided I would bring Mayor Cory Booker (of Newark, NJ).
(I almost picked Hillary Clinton. I do adore her. And she’s freaking brilliant. And I could listen to her speak all day. Cory Booker isn’t any smarter or more awesome than she is.
The only thing he has on her is that he’s slightly more dynamic. (I feel so bad about saying that, ‘cause I am a humongous Hillary fan!) But, I think the aliens might want a little more razz-a-ma-tazz. Sorry! I still believe in, and love Hillary a ton! Hillary 2016!)
Back to my paragraph doting on Mayor Booker, if anyone could show aliens how great humans can be, it’d be Cory Booker. He’s a man of action and kindness. He believes in people. He works everyday to help others, and to make the world around him a better place. He almost makes me want to live in New Jersey. Almost. He’s inspiring, and an excellent speaker. I’d put the fate of humanity in his hands.
And in the worst case scenario, I’d spend the rest of my life hanging out with and learning from Cory Booker. Not too shabby. (Although if the aliens did in fact decide to destroy Earth, I can’t say I’d be shocked if life imitated an action movie and Cory Booker made it back to Earth in time to figure out a way to save Earth from whatever impending doom the aliens were sending.)
Zebadiah then told me that what he found interesting was that he’d been asking this question around to people, and I was the first person who actually tried to find something that would appeal to the aliens. I was the only one who tried to figure out a way to save Earth. Everyone else brought a memento, or a loved one they could hang out with forever; since they had already accepted the Earth would be destroyed. Huh.