Contest: What should David take to Mars?

[davidlevine]

Over at the I'm going to mars! post, azahru points out that the ill-prepared character is often required to take command at some point, and martianmooncrab says "don't forget to take that random item that will save the mission and endear you to the Martians." threeoutside took that ball and ran with it, suggesting that it would be a cool contest. Why not

Comments

[anghara]

If I were being facetious I'd say a Magic 8 ball, for breaking a deadlock if a crisis decision gets bogged in one. But on the whole... I'd say chocolate. Good quality stuff. Save for emergencies. EVERTYHING seems better with chocolate, and I remember that MacGyver once used it to stop a leaking acid tank so it's gotta have practical uses, too. Chcocolate, I say.

[nancymcc]

Take a small collection of safety pins.

A biggish one can substitute for a screwdriver after the real tool flies off the handle.

The point of one can be used to dig small holes or to puncture things, of course, or to make a little dotted line to be torn along.

Several can be chained together to simulate rope or string, and you can put bait on an open safety pin at the end (for the unexpected Martian life form).

You can fasten one to clothing or such to mark the location of some occurrence (like "the water came up to HERE!")

And of course, when everything is falling apart, a safety pin can really help you hold things together.

[kalimac]

"the water came up to HERE!"

On Mars?

That would really be something.

[nancymcc]

Ayup. That's why I chose the example!

[nebula5]

Duct/Duck tape.

[sparckl]

Clearly, the object must be: 1) of great sentimental value to you personally; and 2) made from some exotic material with unique or rare physical properties.

That way, when the time comes, you must sacrifice your beloved item--which is your only remaining link to a lost love/estranged family member/deceased mentor--in order to save the people you care about in the here and now.

Oh, wait, did you say Mars? For Mars you should take an umbrella. I'm serious. The biggest damn golf umbrella you can find. Trust me on this one.

[bohemiancoast]

A jar of Marmite. The Martians eat very well, but their food lacks that critical Marmite spark of savoury goodness. You give one of them a slice of toast and Marmite. At that point, one of two possibilities occur:

-- you are hailed a god and given the highest laurels:
-- you are thrown into jail and face execution as a poisoner.

One or the other. But which? Read on.