CREATIVE ADVENTURES — 26

Imagine You Can Freeze Your Body

You Have The Gift Of Suspended Animation

Imagine that you can freeze your body and slow your bodily functions for an extended period of time. Imagine that you can go to sleep for years, but you will still live. This is called ‘suspended animation’ and it is widely used in science fiction movies, especially when our heroes go on interstellar travel.

Most of the technology required to put us in suspended animation already exists. This technology, called bio-vitrification, is used to transplant human organs. It works by using a liquid that dramatically lowers the temperature of human tissue and prevents the decay of organs and tissues.

Imagine that you can freeze yourself and put yourself into sleep as long as you wish. This sleep will make you more beautiful and you will wake up the same age, preserving every part of your body and your brain.

Please respond to the following questions:

1. Would you use this superpower or technology? Why or why not?
2. Imagine that you want to skip the present and wake up in the future. Choose the duration of your sleep. When would you like to wake up? Why? Write a science fiction story about what happens after you wake up.
3. Write another story about the unexpected consequences of waking up in another era. You feel alone in this alien world. You have left your loved ones behind. How do you cope?
4. Imagine that you put yourself to sleep for 30 years and you wake up in the year 2051. You see that the world is transformed by the technologies of artificial intelligence. Can you describe your new life? Write a story about what happens next.
5. Imagine that you put yourself to sleep for 100 years and you wake up in the year 2121. You see that the world is devastated, but life is thriving on Mars. Write a story about what happens next. Can you find a way to go to Mars?
6. Imagine that you wake up in the year 2200. A group of scientists and explorers are going to Barnard’s Star, which is about 6 light-years away. This interstellar journey will take about 30 years, using the most advanced technologies of the day. Write down the story of this interstellar journey. What do you encounter there?
7. Imagine that you can create a fully customizable body using your DNA to meet the requirements of any planet you visit. Create a new planet far far away. Imagine the alien life there. What is the name of this planet? What is the name of the star that the planet is revolving around? Who lives here? Describe the ecosystem, the culture, the natives, the animals, and the plants there. Describe the geography — are there oceans, mountains, or rivers?
8. You are leading the starship that arrives on this planet. You have run out of energy and had to make an unauthorized landing on this planet. You are leading a team of aliens who have arrived in the world of natives. What happens next? Describe the encounter. Are there any tensions? How do you resolve them?

Fahri Karakas is the author of the Self-making Studio. You can explore more here.