How would you influence technology in 1000AD

[Stuart Mackey]

How would you influence technology if you were sent back in time with what you know currently, assumming language barriers do not exist and the fundamentalists do not kill you?

Improved agricultural plow, modern harness, complete transcription of my knowledge of mathematics, frame-built ships with improved rig based on plans, knowledge of cowpox innoculation against smallpox, attempt to create penicillin, use of antiseptics in medicine (particularly childbirth). Attempt to introduce iron casting. Review and outline physiology where possible. If necessary, conduct repairs to local sewer systems. Replace any lead pipes with copper pipes in local water systems. Institute garbage collection and disposal systems in local cities.

Militarily: Gunpowder, focusing on artillery with napoleonic carriage, bronze cannon if necessary; arquebus if iron-casting, otherwise merely introduce simple copper/leather reinforced, and windlass crossbows. A version of the Chinese repeating crossbow brought up to western tensile strength might be nice; it depends on one's ability to conduct trade, as I do not suspect I could replicate such a thing and improve it without an example. Tactical "innovation" would primarily consist of focus upon discipline and drill that already existed from Roman times, and the introduction of the concept of point-concentration. In fortresses, however, a working knowledge of geometry and an historical knowledge of the trace italienne would allow for the construction of bastions to take advantage of the new gunpowder weapons to their maximum potential.

To really make any of these potential efforts come to the fore, I would need to be in, ideally, the Byzantine Empire (It's 71 years before Manzikert, haha!) and be able to convince the Basileus of my ability to follow through on what I was doing. Nevermind the gender prejudice... However, with lots of trial and error one grants, the majority of what is listed should be accomplished within a decently lengthy lifetime.

An you know all of these things and have the ability to teach the locals? I rather think that you would be more interested in surviving.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

An you know all of these things and have the ability to teach the locals? I rather think that you would be more interested in surviving.

A sufficient overview to, with the aide of professionals in the appropriate fields, replicate them in whole or part over an extended period of time; others I do not and can make on my own entirely. Certainly survival would be the first order of business, but I was not thinking of attempting to more than introduce these things over a matter of whole decades once that was secured...

[Stuart Mackey]

An you know all of these things and have the ability to teach the locals? I rather think that you would be more interested in surviving.

A sufficient overview to, with the aide of professionals in the appropriate fields, replicate them in whole or part over an extended period of time; others I do not and can make on my own entirely. Certainly survival would be the first order of business, but I was not thinking of attempting to more than introduce these things over a matter of whole decades once that was secured...

The Original question was

Originally posted by Pu-239:
How would you influence technology if you were sent back in time with what you know currently, assumming language barriers do not exist and the fundamentalists do not kill you?

You dont have thee aid of anyone but yourself, and moreover why would any onw in 1000 AD trust you or beleive you?. While it would certainly be essy enough to introduse better farming practices, assuming you know them, most things would require you be able to demonstrate these things by doing them yourself.