What technology/knowledge could you bring to the Middle Ages?

[paulpablo]

An interesting scenario that was posited on another forum I frequent a couple of years back. The setup is as follows:

Through the mischevious machinations of some god-like entity, you are flung back 1000 years in time to europe (specifically, Britain), 1015 AD. The omnipotent dickhead has granted you immunity to all diseases that exist in this time period, so lack of resistance to plague and such won't be a problem. It has also ensured that you will neither be worshipped as a god yourself, nor will you be burnt at the stake for your heretical ideas. The people will simply readily accept any and all ideas or technology you offer up to them, trusting you as a wise man/woman.
You are taken exactly as you are now, and you will be equipped with the clothing relevant to that time period. None of your possessions are taken with you.
So, with the knowledge of the modern world - however much of it you currently possess, in any areas - what technology/ideas/theories could YOU introduce to the people of 1015?


Personally, I'd introduce the concept of atheism - duh , or at least expand the notion that those who don't believe in a god aren't necessarily evil and murderworthy.

I have rudimentary knowledge of bacteria and infections, and how to prevent and treat them, so medical technology could be sped up a fair bit.

I could in theory create a ramshackle magnification system, to help people study the microscopic world and, possibly, the night skies a few centuries earlier. At the very least I could provide them with the theory on how to create such things, and set them on the track to figuring it out themselves.

I could help convince them that the feudal system ain't all it's cracked up to be, and introduce an alternative form of governance such as democracy, centuries early for that part of the world.

I COULD set them on the path to creating projectile weapons early, though I'd likely keep that to myself.

As for mathematics...uh...E=MC2 I guess would be my limitation, though again that leads to the development of nuclear weapons, so again...keep that one quiet

That's pretty much all I can think of for now. Over to you guys

I've actually thought about this question loads, but your way of doing things would be EXTREMELY risky in my opinion.  My first order of business would be to ensure I don't get burned as a witch and to not piss off the rulers of the time.  

You seem to have gone for the opposite idea of going around telling people about mathematics that they would have no clue about while telling them that they should rebel against the feudal system.

I'd explain germs to them, vaccines, whatever biology, physics and chemistry I know, the importance of sewage systems, teach them about brushing their teeth and washing their hands,draw them a rough example of the globe and explain how gravity works.  I'd then hope I don't get burned as a witch anyway for having such extravagant clothing and tattoos and being much taller than most people and try to get a room in the kings castle with some medieval wenches and good food until I died horribly from lack of medical treatment.

I definitely wouldn't tell them that religion or their way of life is bad, you could expect the same results from trying to explain these things to ISIS.