Sci-Fi Short Film Paleonaut - DUST
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Date: 2024-04-01
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Comments and reviews: 35
michaelhough5003
So, neat idea for a sci-fi story, but it's riddled with holes. First off, fossils are rare. The chances of a single human dying in the perfect situation to fossilize is astronomical. Let alone the chances of them ever finding the fossil if he happened to actually fossilize. There are so many unknowable and frankly luck based variables that need to go completely right to find a single bone fragment from his skeleton. It would be much more likely to succeed if they sent back a team of people with knowledge of how fossils form and instructions to bury the dead in a specific location and in a way that maximizes the chances of fossilization. This would make it infinitly more practical to find the bodies, and also make it the slightest bit more likely to actually have a fossil to find.
Their plan has another huge hole. Lack of evidence of success. In order for the plan to work their time travel method has to actually move things back in time, as aposed to an alternate timeline. Since they're confident they'll be able to find the fossil, we can assume their time machine works. There is a catch though, they haven't found any evidence of human civilization that far in the past. So if their plan worked at all, you would expect some trace of prior human settlement. So send a dude back, find his remains, if it's a survivable environment send back more people. They already know this solution is a temporary one, as there isn't a long history of human civilization dating back to the jurassic in their world, and with a lack of evidence for any humans back then they can already safely assume that at least one part of their plan doesn't work at any point in the future. Either he doesn't make it to the past, they don't find his fossil, it's not a survivable environment, or every person they send back dies before any sophisticated technology it civilization can develop. They already know how it ends, because if it works, it's already worked.
The final issue is one of time paradoxes. Just because he got sent back to the past in our timeline, doesn't mean that his actions don't affect the future. If time travel doesn't self correct for paradoxes, then something as simple as the bacteria in his first dump could bring the entire ecosystem crashing down. Evolution is an arms race, and we're way further along that race than everything back then. While that doesn't mean every organism from now is better than every organism from then, it does mean that those organisms will have absolutely no way of coping with an invasive species from the future. The cold virus could have defenses that prevent any animal from dealing with it, if it's capable of infecting the ancestors of modern mammals, and if it's deadly enough, it could potentially change the course of evolution on the planet. Honestly, these microbes don't even need to be particularly invasive, a single horizontal gene transfer event extrapolated out millions of years later could still change all of the evolutionary timeline.
It's a touching short, but the premise is laughable at best.
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So, neat idea for a sci-fi story, but it's riddled with holes. First off, fossils are rare. The chances of a single human dying in the perfect situation to fossilize is astronomical. Let alone the chances of them ever finding the fossil if he happened to actually fossilize. There are so many unknowable and frankly luck based variables that need to go completely right to find a single bone fragment from his skeleton. It would be much more likely to succeed if they sent back a team of people with knowledge of how fossils form and instructions to bury the dead in a specific location and in a way that maximizes the chances of fossilization. This would make it infinitly more practical to find the bodies, and also make it the slightest bit more likely to actually have a fossil to find.
Their plan has another huge hole. Lack of evidence of success. In order for the plan to work their time travel method has to actually move things back in time, as aposed to an alternate timeline. Since they're confident they'll be able to find the fossil, we can assume their time machine works. There is a catch though, they haven't found any evidence of human civilization that far in the past. So if their plan worked at all, you would expect some trace of prior human settlement. So send a dude back, find his remains, if it's a survivable environment send back more people. They already know this solution is a temporary one, as there isn't a long history of human civilization dating back to the jurassic in their world, and with a lack of evidence for any humans back then they can already safely assume that at least one part of their plan doesn't work at any point in the future. Either he doesn't make it to the past, they don't find his fossil, it's not a survivable environment, or every person they send back dies before any sophisticated technology it civilization can develop. They already know how it ends, because if it works, it's already worked.
The final issue is one of time paradoxes. Just because he got sent back to the past in our timeline, doesn't mean that his actions don't affect the future. If time travel doesn't self correct for paradoxes, then something as simple as the bacteria in his first dump could bring the entire ecosystem crashing down. Evolution is an arms race, and we're way further along that race than everything back then. While that doesn't mean every organism from now is better than every organism from then, it does mean that those organisms will have absolutely no way of coping with an invasive species from the future. The cold virus could have defenses that prevent any animal from dealing with it, if it's capable of infecting the ancestors of modern mammals, and if it's deadly enough, it could potentially change the course of evolution on the planet. Honestly, these microbes don't even need to be particularly invasive, a single horizontal gene transfer event extrapolated out millions of years later could still change all of the evolutionary timeline.
It's a touching short, but the premise is laughable at best.
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Luthiart
Uh, how is he supposed to inform the present of the past if he's going to stay there and die And they just assume he's going to get fossilized Not every living thing in the past got fossilized, you know. How is that going to help them anyway Also, had anybody thought about all the bacteria and microbes he's going to introduce into the biosphere millions of years too soon That's gonna have repercussions on a grand scale. And that's just one guy. Colonizing the distant past with masses of people would be nothing short of an extinction level event.
I think the makers of this film just wanted to tell a melancholy tale of pathos (as too many of these shorts are) and didn't tax their brains too much thinking about the science part. Or the making sense part.
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Uh, how is he supposed to inform the present of the past if he's going to stay there and die And they just assume he's going to get fossilized Not every living thing in the past got fossilized, you know. How is that going to help them anyway Also, had anybody thought about all the bacteria and microbes he's going to introduce into the biosphere millions of years too soon That's gonna have repercussions on a grand scale. And that's just one guy. Colonizing the distant past with masses of people would be nothing short of an extinction level event.
I think the makers of this film just wanted to tell a melancholy tale of pathos (as too many of these shorts are) and didn't tax their brains too much thinking about the science part. Or the making sense part.
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caffetiel
Kinda hated this one, ngl. The high concept is as hinged as that in The Wandering Earth, and I don't find straight romance in work environments very appealing, personally (though I understand others may disagree. I don't even care about the time-travel mechanics--anything dealing with time travel has to handwave the space-travel, and that's fine. I need fewer hows and more whys.
Why colonize the past Why send someone with diseases 65 million years outside context to contaminate and catastrophize history He won't live very long, either, what with being exposed to disease and parasites he has no immunity to. Who was the ethics committee that approved this project
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Kinda hated this one, ngl. The high concept is as hinged as that in The Wandering Earth, and I don't find straight romance in work environments very appealing, personally (though I understand others may disagree. I don't even care about the time-travel mechanics--anything dealing with time travel has to handwave the space-travel, and that's fine. I need fewer hows and more whys.
Why colonize the past Why send someone with diseases 65 million years outside context to contaminate and catastrophize history He won't live very long, either, what with being exposed to disease and parasites he has no immunity to. Who was the ethics committee that approved this project
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milliefusion7340
This was more conceptual and almost a love story than actually about sending matter back into the past. There didn't seem to be enough time that went by to actually fall in love. maybe pity--as she knew he didn't have anything to cling to here, which was the reason he chose to go to begin with. The show also leads you into thinking that she is going to choose to go herself instead of him. In the end, I was left feeling confused at what I watched.
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This was more conceptual and almost a love story than actually about sending matter back into the past. There didn't seem to be enough time that went by to actually fall in love. maybe pity--as she knew he didn't have anything to cling to here, which was the reason he chose to go to begin with. The show also leads you into thinking that she is going to choose to go herself instead of him. In the end, I was left feeling confused at what I watched.
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laughtoohard9655
I doubt NASA ever prepared an Astronaut for a diet like that. Most all of this is wrong. He says, It all goes on without me. That's true, but everything he ever did, everything he ever touched, and everyone he ever knew never met hit. That means at the moment of his death in the past he only now existed in records of what he did. They wouldn't even have photos of him. He was never there to be photographed.
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I doubt NASA ever prepared an Astronaut for a diet like that. Most all of this is wrong. He says, It all goes on without me. That's true, but everything he ever did, everything he ever touched, and everyone he ever knew never met hit. That means at the moment of his death in the past he only now existed in records of what he did. They wouldn't even have photos of him. He was never there to be photographed.
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dust
Funny. Humans still think of time as being a dimension with a direction. Time is not a dimension. It has no direction. You can't travel in it because it's only a concept. Based on memories and visions in our heads. Time is the sequence of events. The sequence as such doesn't exist. We only perceive the result of it. You can't travel in time. You can't travel in kilograms.
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Funny. Humans still think of time as being a dimension with a direction. Time is not a dimension. It has no direction. You can't travel in it because it's only a concept. Based on memories and visions in our heads. Time is the sequence of events. The sequence as such doesn't exist. We only perceive the result of it. You can't travel in time. You can't travel in kilograms.
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moogmike1
This film was excellent and such an original concept and idea that profer's so many questions about causality. I assume he is sent back to one of the Periods of the Mesozoic, just what would his actions there make to the unfolding history of this Planet. Just wish this could have been much longer. The actors were wonderful. 10/10 for this one.
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This film was excellent and such an original concept and idea that profer's so many questions about causality. I assume he is sent back to one of the Periods of the Mesozoic, just what would his actions there make to the unfolding history of this Planet. Just wish this could have been much longer. The actors were wonderful. 10/10 for this one.
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williamking3301
Great idea, loved the concept and human interest of the film, yet I fear if something like that ever happened it would give fuel to the Creationists: See there really were people living with dinosaurs, checkmate evolutionists, God wins. So no, let's not send people back in time, Did we not learn anything from The Sound of Thunder
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Great idea, loved the concept and human interest of the film, yet I fear if something like that ever happened it would give fuel to the Creationists: See there really were people living with dinosaurs, checkmate evolutionists, God wins. So no, let's not send people back in time, Did we not learn anything from The Sound of Thunder
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45Mang
1 things for sure. We outta know better than to travel back in time if the possibilities are on our side!
You send a human and they move the slightest atom, everything will change and go back to its formal position before the action took place. The laws of physics are like a conscious of their own, slapping our faces!
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1 things for sure. We outta know better than to travel back in time if the possibilities are on our side!
You send a human and they move the slightest atom, everything will change and go back to its formal position before the action took place. The laws of physics are like a conscious of their own, slapping our faces!
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DigESource
I love the compassion of this movie. Funny thing about time travel; if it were possible to send someone back in time (lost past, and the intent and plan were true to do so, then that person's remains/fossil would already be present somewhere today BEFORE THE ACTUAL EVENT OF SENDING THEM BACK. Think about it. : )
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I love the compassion of this movie. Funny thing about time travel; if it were possible to send someone back in time (lost past, and the intent and plan were true to do so, then that person's remains/fossil would already be present somewhere today BEFORE THE ACTUAL EVENT OF SENDING THEM BACK. Think about it. : )
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shaunhumphreys6714
this is the greatest time travel concept i have ever seen. And i've seen them all. im willing to suspend my knowledge that real practical time travel to the past must and does use parallel universe-the many world formulation of quantum mechanics. the name of the short film is so profound-it's perfect.
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this is the greatest time travel concept i have ever seen. And i've seen them all. im willing to suspend my knowledge that real practical time travel to the past must and does use parallel universe-the many world formulation of quantum mechanics. the name of the short film is so profound-it's perfect.
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xavariusquest4603
The potential of the story premise is lost in ignorance. No civilization would send an individual or of group to colonize the past. Intrusions of scale could very easily devastate history. The only way to accomplish it would be to transport everyone silmultaneously. leave no one behind.
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The potential of the story premise is lost in ignorance. No civilization would send an individual or of group to colonize the past. Intrusions of scale could very easily devastate history. The only way to accomplish it would be to transport everyone silmultaneously. leave no one behind.
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mgummelt
Interesting premise, but I feel like the film was too short to really deliver on the premise. It’s like only the first act of a longer film - state the premise and establish the characters then it ends. Never gets to the promise of the premise. Would have liked to have seen more.
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Interesting premise, but I feel like the film was too short to really deliver on the premise. It’s like only the first act of a longer film - state the premise and establish the characters then it ends. Never gets to the promise of the premise. Would have liked to have seen more.
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Leto85
Well done. In just a few minutes the story was clear and setup to be continued. That's very impressive.
I love it how you didn't show any prehistoric animal as the focus of the story was on the people.
I do hope that wasn't a real skinned frog though during the eating scene.
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Well done. In just a few minutes the story was clear and setup to be continued. That's very impressive.
I love it how you didn't show any prehistoric animal as the focus of the story was on the people.
I do hope that wasn't a real skinned frog though during the eating scene.
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owlthepirate5997
Not too happy with this one.
The acting was cheesy, and awkward (especially the guy.
Way to may holes in the plot.
The ending leaves you hanging, and feeling very, unfulfilled.
15 min. Of my life I wish I could take back.
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Not too happy with this one.
The acting was cheesy, and awkward (especially the guy.
Way to may holes in the plot.
The ending leaves you hanging, and feeling very, unfulfilled.
15 min. Of my life I wish I could take back.
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SaintJimmy379
Is it weird that I'm thinking if Imma get sent back to the time of the dinos, then I'll need a companion, otherwise I'll probably end up altering the genetic history of the world. I want to f4 a Tyrannosaurus given the opportunity of course.
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Is it weird that I'm thinking if Imma get sent back to the time of the dinos, then I'll need a companion, otherwise I'll probably end up altering the genetic history of the world. I want to f4 a Tyrannosaurus given the opportunity of course.
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timmotel5804
Gee. And I thought it was just an entertaining sci-fi story, that I enjoyed, until some people pointed out that it was about real science and was inaccurate and factually not entertaining at all. Aren't i the fool here.
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Gee. And I thought it was just an entertaining sci-fi story, that I enjoyed, until some people pointed out that it was about real science and was inaccurate and factually not entertaining at all. Aren't i the fool here.
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ericb6784
This wasn't very well researched. They showed the first bird, which existed until 65 million years ago, 63 million years before the Paleolithic era, which was 2. 5 million years ago until 10k years ago, (old stone age.
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This wasn't very well researched. They showed the first bird, which existed until 65 million years ago, 63 million years before the Paleolithic era, which was 2. 5 million years ago until 10k years ago, (old stone age.
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markharris5107
If they went to a known and uncivilized location and found a cave, he could leave engraved messages on the rock walls, and build himself a stone tomb Maybe no fossil, but some dust perhaps
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If they went to a known and uncivilized location and found a cave, he could leave engraved messages on the rock walls, and build himself a stone tomb Maybe no fossil, but some dust perhaps
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dust
YOU GUYS ARE TO LATE, I guess the US MILITARY forgot to tell you, THEY'VE BEEN TIME TRAVELING SINCE 1930's, and the things they've brought back from the distant past. YOU WILL SOON GET TO SEE.
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YOU GUYS ARE TO LATE, I guess the US MILITARY forgot to tell you, THEY'VE BEEN TIME TRAVELING SINCE 1930's, and the things they've brought back from the distant past. YOU WILL SOON GET TO SEE.
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Timspfd
Lots of people missing the key detail, the rock she is looking at in the beginning and final scene has shoe tread print fossilized in it, proving he arrived on the shores of the swamp.
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Lots of people missing the key detail, the rock she is looking at in the beginning and final scene has shoe tread print fossilized in it, proving he arrived on the shores of the swamp.
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neilfleming2787
you can't guarantee that an animal/human will be fossilised. it depends on a lot of factors - otherwise there would be millions/billions of large dinosaur fossils out there
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you can't guarantee that an animal/human will be fossilised. it depends on a lot of factors - otherwise there would be millions/billions of large dinosaur fossils out there
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allienoneya4257
It comes to my mind the move Somewhere in time, different stage sets but the same theme between the two. Longing for the past, living in the present. The perfect Catch 22
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It comes to my mind the move Somewhere in time, different stage sets but the same theme between the two. Longing for the past, living in the present. The perfect Catch 22
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michaellee6489
Wonderful. Their scene in the cafeteria was full of irony and eyeball psychology. sooo well done. Surprised that I didn't see this sooner. Very very nicely done.
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Wonderful. Their scene in the cafeteria was full of irony and eyeball psychology. sooo well done. Surprised that I didn't see this sooner. Very very nicely done.
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iaincaillte3356
His purpose is to provide information so people could colonize the past. That might explain a lot about our present. It's our great-grandchildren's fault!
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His purpose is to provide information so people could colonize the past. That might explain a lot about our present. It's our great-grandchildren's fault!
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nonithehun
Would be great to indicate the drama -- sci-fi ratio in the description for each movie on DUST. If drama is over 20%, I don't want to waste my life watching it.
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Would be great to indicate the drama -- sci-fi ratio in the description for each movie on DUST. If drama is over 20%, I don't want to waste my life watching it.
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redlady120
This is a sad note in the annals of love.
Not sure if she connected with him at all.
But she somehow kept her promise to look for him in the rocks.
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This is a sad note in the annals of love.
Not sure if she connected with him at all.
But she somehow kept her promise to look for him in the rocks.
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dust
They knew it really work because they already found his fossil, his name written there and he wrote something cryptic and unsettling - the future is DUST.
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They knew it really work because they already found his fossil, his name written there and he wrote something cryptic and unsettling - the future is DUST.
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MikePuorro
Why not just send back some plastic, stamped gold bricks, cut diamonds, or a modern domesticated animal that didn't exist in the prehistoric age
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Why not just send back some plastic, stamped gold bricks, cut diamonds, or a modern domesticated animal that didn't exist in the prehistoric age
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dust
Pretty good, really the only thing that would've made it a little bit easier to understand would have been subtitles with their thick accents and all.
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Pretty good, really the only thing that would've made it a little bit easier to understand would have been subtitles with their thick accents and all.
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mingming9604
3: 40 fresh start and colonize distant past earth= global warming and depleted resource would just happen few million years sooner. lol.
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3: 40 fresh start and colonize distant past earth= global warming and depleted resource would just happen few million years sooner. lol.
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isaacs1052
I spent the whole film failing to reconcile the paleonaut's nihilism with his moustache. Maybe that's how they'll recognise his fossil.
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I spent the whole film failing to reconcile the paleonaut's nihilism with his moustache. Maybe that's how they'll recognise his fossil.
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robgifford3766
I thought in the end she would find a fossil of both of them in that valley. Showing she would be going back to join him someday.
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I thought in the end she would find a fossil of both of them in that valley. Showing she would be going back to join him someday.
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HebaruSan
They must already have his remains on a shelf somewhere, actually sending him back is just a formality to avoid creating a time paradox
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They must already have his remains on a shelf somewhere, actually sending him back is just a formality to avoid creating a time paradox
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Legna1826
Surprise twist plot: He gets transported back in time only to get eaten by a giant Dino and found fossilized in Dino poop Years later.
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Surprise twist plot: He gets transported back in time only to get eaten by a giant Dino and found fossilized in Dino poop Years later.
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