20 Clever Redditors Share What They Would Tell Scientists To Make Them Seem Insane If They Were Accidentally Sent Back In Time To 1986

Time travel stories always get weird fast, especially when the goal is not just survival, but convincing people you belong in a completely different era. This Reddit thread takes that idea and drops it into 1986, where one wrong detail could make someone sound either brilliant or completely unhinged.

The prompt asks what someone from 2022 would say to scientists after being accidentally sent back in time. The replies range from clever to chaotic, and the whole thing turns into a funny list of future facts that would be hard to explain in the middle of the 1980s.

Some of these answers are surprisingly convincing, and a few would probably make scientists question everything. Read on.

Here's the original question that got all the responses.

Think_Region9201

This is the kind of answer that would stop a room cold.

This one would definitely surprise people.

ThaneOfCawdorrr

I don't think this fact would be as convincing.

The_Thunder_Child

This should probably do the trick.

therealsix

That one would be hard to explain away.

This one is funny, but it would probably work.

rkbasu

This is a little crazy to imagine, though. They're going strong.

BobBelcher2021

These are a good choice if you're stuck in this situation.

fighting4good

People really leaned into the future-tech angle here.

This would shock some people for sure.

CDM2017

Would this one shock people, though? Would it really?

cwilliams6009

You'll probably ruin television for literally everyone with this one.

PurpleDreamer28

This would probably get people's attention.

silentjay01

Smartphones are so advanced that most people just use the flashlight feature.

TheKingOfDub

That one would definitely get a reaction in 1986.

This also feels like those bizarre events proving our planet is weirder than science fiction.

This one is a huge event that you could mention.

throwingplaydoh

This one might freak some of them out.

Unclelye

This definitely is something that would blow some minds.

RolanBooker

This is funny.

Jnoper

This one sounded good, but people quickly shut it down.

the_last_hero

Most of these are about smartphones because that's the craziest topic and the biggest advancement.

SunnyCoast26

The HIV one is probably the most surprising to them.

Glittering_knave

I don't think this one would convince them because it just sounds too crazy.

Shimmergloom89

I think this would be surprising too.

redwidows

Okay, so after reading some of these, I think we have a well-compiled list of things we can tell scientists if we ever get stuck in the past. We can all just add this to our resumes now since we are experts at past events.

Do you have any to add to this list? I think we all probably have a few we could contribute.

That would be one awkward history lesson.

Want “built different” proof from the past, check out these vintage photos of grandparents who lived like safety was optional.