January 11, 2025 Jan 12, 2012

We have developed the most powerful telescope ever created.
There is a planet 160 light years distant in its star's habitable zone.
I key in the coordinates.

A woman on the planet looks up from her telescope and waves,
a puzzled expression on her face.
I hesitate, and then wave.

Who was she waving to, in 1865?
Will anyone return my wave?

Later, trying to determine why there are humans on a planet
long ago and far away,
I briefly believe it could be us,
if we figure out how to break the rules.

I sit down and just start laughing.

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inspired by a comment on metafilter

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January 11, 2025

linked from: Where does the song go when the needle is lifted?

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