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Sparky
10-23-2008, 05:53 PM
The world as we know it today has been shaped by billions of events, choices. Some on a very small scale, others on a much larger scale - cause and effect relates to both

What i'm interested in are your views on the more 'upscale' of these significant events - Discoveries, acts, wars, people, situations, etc that, had they turned out or played out differently would have altered the shape of things to come for the entire world

So, what are the most significant 'moments' in our history - moments that have helped shaped the world we know today - for better or for worse.

cheers
hippieking
10-23-2008, 07:12 PM
Wallstreet for worse
caused by George Bush
effected on thousands
Elbow
10-23-2008, 07:44 PM
Rock'n Roll Baby :punk:

Napoleon's use of bottled/preserved food in war :chef:

Modern Medicine :46:
Sparky
10-23-2008, 07:59 PM
Modern Medicine :46:

Ok, yes, but modern medicine is at best a concept. What event defines it? What series of events or discovery would have changed modern medicine forever had they been different or non-existent?
BenTuttle90
10-23-2008, 08:09 PM
The Space Age

-If it were not for the Space Age, we wouldn't have the modern day technology we have today...
Jase180
10-23-2008, 08:53 PM
March 7, 2008

The Entire Universe was mapped

On this day, the images were released. Took years. yes, the whole thing as is, looking back to 13 billion years ago became possible. Using Microwaves. It was barely noted in the news.

http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/media/080997/080997_5yrFullSky_WMAP_512W.jpg
Del
10-23-2008, 11:53 PM
The birth of William Shakespeare.

His impact on the English language cannot be denied and the legacy of his works would most likely seriously change current literary works quite dramatically. It's surprising how many Shakespearisms and references to his works and person exist. Charles Dickens for example.
Now imagine a world without Oliver Twist?
Why, Moby Dick was said to be inspired by King Lear. Imagine a world without The Monks Moby Dick...
That's just the tip of the iceberg, the influence his works have had. Expressions we just take for granted today have been inspired and often directly influenced by Shakespeare (with bated breath).
His works have enriched the English language and things would be dramatically different without him.

Battle of Waterloo.

If Wellington had not defeated Napolean at Waterloo, then it's quite possible we'd all be speaking French right now. :p


I also believe Charles Darwins 'Origin of Species' will be thought of in the future as a huge influence. I don't think it's potential has been fully realised yet.

Oh and the birth of Juana the Mad - if she had not existed then Spain might not have declined so easily.
Norrie
10-24-2008, 04:18 AM
March 7, 2008

The Entire Universe was mapped

On this day, the images were released. Took years. yes, the whole thing as is, looking back to 13 billion years ago became possible. Using Microwaves. It was barely noted in the news.

http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/media/080997/080997_5yrFullSky_WMAP_512W.jpg

Wow, the Universe is much smaller than I imagined it :18:
Howitzer
10-24-2008, 04:56 AM
Wow, the Universe is much smaller than I imagined it :18:

and it looks quite like the Earth :huh: We really ARE the most important thing in the universe! :tank:
BiggsTrek
10-24-2008, 08:02 AM
Imagine a world without The Monks Moby Dick...

I try to, every night... But it's STILL THERE!!!

:helpsmilie:
db4321
10-25-2008, 03:07 AM
How about the discovery of electricity.

There would be no life support machines, incubators or such in hospitals.

The electric guitar would never have been invented, therefore no rock 'n roll, etc. How we listen to music today would certainly be very different.

There definitely would be no internet (which in itself is pretty significant) because computers wouldn't have been invented. Therefore, no TMUnderground, etc.

Yep, I think the discovery of electricity is pretty significant.
Uber
10-25-2008, 06:15 AM
Viagra, so old and impotent men, and the scotts, can crack a hard one. And alcohol; enabling ugly people to get laid.
Fospherous
10-28-2008, 06:20 AM
The 1969 Moon landing, another step in human kind's exploration of space...

I believe they are planning another Moon landing for 2020 so yet again another event there for the future and also the US say they are going to colonise it while there... That will be a barrel of laughs! :p
BiggsTrek
10-28-2008, 06:24 AM
Don't forget the discovery of FIRE... :devil2:

and the invention of the WHEEL... :scooter:

Kinda important, I think...

;)
Uber
10-28-2008, 06:28 AM
well, we really didn't discover fire.
thebiz
10-28-2008, 06:50 AM
well, we really didn't discover fire.

Sure we did. It was Cris Columbus if memory serves...and thats why we get the day off.
Throwaxe
10-28-2008, 07:30 AM
December 21st, 2012

We're not quite there yet and it remains to be seen whether this date will have any significance at all
(except for some celestial alignments, if memory serves) but the Mayas seemed to think it was important... :001_huh:
BiggsTrek
10-28-2008, 07:36 AM
well, we really didn't discover fire.

Your ancestors probably didn't... ;)

*runs for cover*

[Edit: @Sparky: Sorry dad...]
Uber
10-28-2008, 08:16 AM
No, mine hadn't landed on earth to explain how it worked to yours. ;)
Sparky
10-28-2008, 08:21 AM
Guys, please keep this thread on track - i ain't interested in your bickering, k?

cheers
Fospherous
10-28-2008, 08:28 AM
December 21st, 2012

We're not quite there yet and it remains to be seen whether this date will have any significance at all
(except for some celestial alignments, if memory serves) but the Mayas seemed to think it was important... :001_huh:


I've seen stuff about that and it says about 'the end of the world' but the mayans were not actually predicting this, they were actually showing the end of there calender and that it would begin again after it had finished, but yet again some idiot who wanted to make some profit has obviously taken it over the top to fool gullable people...

anyway on with subject at hand...

The invention of the motor car, but they actually looked like some bike with a motor strapped to it :D
Throwaxe
10-29-2008, 07:48 AM
...but yet again some idiot who wanted to make some profit has obviously taken it over the top to fool gullable people...

Ouch... :sad:


October 29, 1969

when after much work, the first two nodes of what would become the ARPANET were interconnected between UCLA and SRI International in Menlo Park, California.
The ARPANET was one of the "eve" networks of today's Internet.

I copy/pasted this, but felt it to be significant considering the amount of time we all seem to spend with this medium today.
Roger
10-29-2008, 05:14 PM
A few water based things that have made a real difference:

Irrigation

Sewers

The flushing toilet

Running hot water

Water filtration

Hydro electric dams

and of course the most important of them all; Ornamental garden waterfalls. :18:
Fospherous
10-29-2008, 05:23 PM
God Bless, Thomas Crapper!!!

For the flushing toilet

:p