Scientific method, basics of calculus, germ theory of disease, and recipe for gunpowder to Archimedes.
Aliens are here to destroy Earth 
But first, we’re allowed to send a 1-page letter back in time to some historical figure, which will then create a new timeline + trajectory for our species.
For maximum positive impact, who should we contact and what should we tell them?
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This answer is so on point
After reading @Meaningness’s critical take on the notion of “the scientific method” (https://meaningness.com/metablog/upgrade-your-cargo-cult …), I’d be curious to hear what he would say to Archimedes (if anything) re science. - 3 more replies
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Penicillin description to Hippocrates
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Oooh good one
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Letter to Johannes Gutenberg, telling him to print the summary of independence day
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Is there anything in particular we might hope a longer-lived von Neumann would produce? Some project he was working on? Or is this just from the general sense that he did a ton of amazing stuff?
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It depends on how advanced the alien technology is. We might need to go further back and write to a Chinese emperor/philosopher to explain both the coming of aliens (and their tech level) and various clues to develop modern technology.
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Like most people, I am assuming we have to fight the aliens the second time around - was that not supposed to be the main part of the prompt?
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