I think any attempt to save our science for a future generation would backfire, for two reasons. One, the future would not be able to comprehend what it was we were trying to tell them. After all, would even the best physicists and engineers of 1950 be able to make any sense of a modern personal computer without a detailed description written specifically with their knowledge base in mind? A circuit board or integrated circuit, even a lone transistor, would be incomprehensible to them. They would probably think a PC was some kind of typewriter.

Second, If we gave too much away to some future generation we might kill their curiosity since they would have a permanent inferiority complex after contemplating our technology. The medieval Europeans were held back considerably because they felt so inferior to the Romans that had left such magnificent ruins they could not hope to duplicate. Some Roman buildings and public works were actually used as stone quarries by medieval Europeans. Can you imagine how demoralizing it must have been to realize that your ancestors routinely built structures you couldn't even figure out how to demolish?

The best thing to leave future generations is just a few simple facts, enough to get them past a lot of blind alleys but not enough to kill their spirit of scientific investigation. I recommend something like this be engraved on stone tablets, like the commandments. Feel free to add to these if you like.

I. All matter is made up of tiny little particles called atoms, there are a finite number of different kinds of atoms, and they can combine into an infinite number of different substances.

II. The stars in the sky are suns, just like our sun, but they are extremely far away. The planets are worlds just like the earth, and they revolve about the sun just like earth does. Other stars may have planets too, but they are too far away for us to know for sure.

III. Living things are no different from inanimate objects, just more complicated and delicate.

IV. Many (but not all) diseases are caused by tiny little creatures which are invisible to the eye.

V. We do not know if a god created the universe, but we do know that if he did, he didn't leave any evidence he did so. Don't ever take anyone's else's word for this, they're probably either lying or mistaken. Probably both.

VI. Everything you see in nature can be explained by simple rules. But learning these rules is often very difficult. You are going to just have to try things until you find explanations that work, and sometimes, through no fault of your own, you'll still get it wrong. Do not worry about this, sooner or later, someone will figure it out.

VII. Nobody knows what happens to you after you die. Nobody knows if anything happens to you after you die. People who tell you otherwise are mistaken, that is why they all disagree with each other.

VIII. There is a reason for everything and a purpose to nothing.

IX. You are free to do anything you like providing it does not hurt or annoy your neighbors. And you have the right to expect the same from them.

X. Everyone is just as good as everyone else. But they will try to tell you otherwise. Good luck, you're on your own.