Top 10: Students share what they would fossilise for future generations
From newspapers and homework to pandas, the choices offer a glimpse into the hopes and fears that youth have for the future.
If you could fossilise one item to give humans in the future, what would it be? Photo: Shutterstock This week’s question: If you received a mysterious message from the future, how would you react? This question has been sponsored by Chinachem.
To take part, drop us a line via this form or email us at [email protected] by 12pm on October 30. Tell us your name, age and school.
Nina Park, the first and only wood fossil park in Hong Kong run by Chinachem Group, showcases a wide collection of wood fossils. Designed to both educate and entertain, this Playground for All equipped with sustainable, environmentally friendly features invites everyone to marvel at the beauty of these ancient fossils, which bear witness to the passage of time and the wonders of nature over millions of years.
Bin Tsz-yu, 14, Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School: I would fossilise a kite. With the rapid advancement of technology, people worldwide are increasingly drawn to using their phones and electronic devices. The number of people who play with kites is declining, which is why I chose it.
Esther Chan, 14, Ma On Shan Tsung Tsin Secondary School: Nowadays, people don’t use newspapers to learn about what is happening in the world. They usually use the internet to read and watch the news. Also, newspapers are made by cutting trees, and we need trees to be environmentally friendly. The use of newspapers is decreasing sharply, so I will fossilise one for future generations.
Kaya Cai Wing-tung, 15, Fanling Rhenish Church Secondary School: My homework, because I want people in the future to learn about us and understand the people who lived before them and what they learned more deeply. It may seem ridiculous, but it will be very interesting. We should form a closer connection between ancestors and their descendants.
Jovina Chung Man-yan, 11, Holy Angels Canossian School: I would choose a book about Hong Kong’s history because it represents its unique culture. The book can help future citizens understand their roots and the events that preceded them.
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Christine Chau Hoi-ching, 16, Yuen Long Public Secondary School: I would fossilise a stuffed animal from my childhood. The rapid advancement of technology and social media addiction is intensifying with every passing day. Children of all ages no longer enjoy simple pleasures that don’t have a screen, like cuddling fluffy animals, going out for a stroll or reading a novel. I hope my fossilised stuffed animal will serve as a reminder to our future generation to savour the seemingly insignificant but precious aspects of life.
Cheung Sze-wai, 12, Po Leung Kuk Tang Yuk Tien College: A fish. In the future, technology might have invaded the whole world. The study of living things might also be altered. Since times are changing, living beings might look different. Fish might not look the same in the future. Wouldn’t it be interesting to let people in the future know how fish looked in the past, decades or even centuries ago?
Sonja Yue Hay-yiu, 12, St. Francis’ Canossian College: If I could fossilise one item to give humans in the future, it would be a book on human experiences, thoughts, and stories. The content would capture the essence of humanity – our triumphs, struggles, wisdom and creativity – serving as a timeless resource for future generations to understand the past. This book would foster empathy, inspire progress, and encourage a more profound connection among all people.
Jamie Yau, 16, Po Leung Kuk Tang Yuk Tien College: A HK$100 note put into the sea. When I fossilise it, it would likely degrade, forming a stone-like replica of the banknote. After that, the words printed on the note may not be visible any more. If the fossil were found, some serious scientists would take this as some human-faced species living at the bottom of the ocean that had never been discovered. I am sure that this would be the biggest prank in history!
Liu Sum-yu, 16, Fung Kai No 1 Secondary School: I would fossilise my brain so that people in the future can study the thoughts of the people before them.
Yanki Lau Yan-ki, 12, St Mary’s Canossian College: A panda. More and more pandas are dying, and they might be extinct one day. In the future, people may invent animal robots, and all the animals will be turned into robots. I want to fossilise a panda to tell them that animals are unique and that no robot can replace them. When they see the panda, I hope they can be inspired to protect all animals forever.