h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I can see the planet as a waste land, 30 or 40 millienia from now, visitors from far flung galaxies, wandering across this place. And somewhere along the M3, there are no longer any traces of the lorrie that went off track. Only a scattered field of tins of SPAM

Might they be seen as eggs, waiting for the right conditions? And just what might be the right conditions for hatching a tin of pink 'plastic'?

hang on... I've a tin in the cupboard somewhwer....

Got it... its quite an old tin... apparently it cost 2 and 6 I don't even know what that means *thinks*....

Ahh... here we go...

place in a cool dry place, germination will occur after two cycles of ice age, and water must be a applied... Hmm... think I'll go plant it in the garden...

Don't forget atomic rays! Ain't nothin gonna happen without atomic rays.

First, you want to corrode the tin. Acid might do the trick, as might water. It's probably best to heat the water first. You could add salt if the reaction slows down, to see if it speeds up. Record your observations - then we can work out which elements are present in the can.

Or just "hatch" a tin opener from the same materials. If that doesn't work just give it to a hungry dog. She may not hatch it, but she'll lie on it long enough to thaw it.

I'm not sure if Darwins evolution theory applies to tin cans growing their own opener .. my first impression is that it doesn't apply.

the idea is interesting though .. brings up a few new ideas .. and I didn't have any or lsd yet today