Back to the Future

Students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology "have organized what they call the first convention for time travelers," reports the New York Times:

"I would hope they would come with the idea of showing us that time travel is possible,"said Amal Dorai, 22, the graduate student who thought up the convention. . . . "Maybe they could leave something with us. It is possible they might look slightly different, the shape of the head, the body proportions."
The event is potluck and alcohol-free--present-day humans are bringing things like brownies. But Mr. Dorai's Web site asks that future-folk bring something to prove they are really ahead of our time: "Things like a cure for AIDS or cancer, a solution for global poverty or a cold fusion reactor would be particularly convincing as well as greatly appreciated."

The event is scheduled for 8 p.m. the day before yesterday. As Dorai's Web page notes, "Due to the overwhelming response, no attendees will be admitted who have not already RSVP'd." So if you're planning to attend, make sure you let them know well in advance.

My apologies to James Taranto's Best of the Web, who caught this in yesterday's edition, it was too good not to post.