"No, I wouldn't be," Autor says, adjusting his glasses. "Even though I'd be an immigrant to America at that time, in this scenario I'm male, I'm not black, and I'm able-bodied, too, so I technically have rights that even you women don't. Like voting. And I vote that no one gets sold."

The boy wonders if he has put his foot in his mouth. He continues talking around it, having clearly not learned his lesson. "Granted, I might work myself to an early grave trying to keep everyone alive, which might be the same thing. Hmm. I wonder if I immigrated to avoid conscription?"