The nature of time
Time. Is it a line, a tree, a tool or simply a form of measurement?
There are several theories out there. Some believe that time can be represented by a straight line. This indicates that there is no uncertainty in the grand scheme of things. Things will happen as they are destined to. Whatever you choose to do with your life, ultimately you have no control. Whichever choice you make, it isn't yours, for you have been destined to make that choice. Of course this theory gives people little comfort. Being in control of your own life is sometimes all we have to cling to.
The tree theory is slightly more involved. Take the line example. Then, with every choice, create a branch shooting off in another direction. This creates an alternate reality in which those alternate decisions are carried out. Of course it doesn't stop there. All choices made on the original line and from the branches will branch off once more, and again, and again, until all possibilities become a reality. I don't think it applies to the big decisions, but to everything that ever happens. From being able to hold a sneeze in to a fly choosing to turn left or right. With this theory we have such a severe freedom to choose that it could be overwhelming. I mean, everyone likes a little bit of control in their lives. Something to keep them rooted in the hear and now. This theory also spits on religion in a way. It indicates that there is no divine plan. No unseen force guiding our actions (unlike the line theory).
There are doubtless other theories out there, but of the ones I've pondered these seem the most logical within this type of arena. Lets also ponder the theory of time travel and it's plausability.
When applying time travel to the line theory it should be easy to plot where we need to go. Of course the method of getting where we desire is another matter completely. Magic, speeding delorians or phone boxes, it makes little difference. But what would happen if you could? Surely you would mess with time. Going back would change the nature of that period of time, for you were not originally there....unless you were.
Let me explain. If you think of time travel as moving from A to B, then you are going to be somewhere where you weren't before. This will change the nature of B and either erase everything after that time, or create an offshoot branch.
If you think of time travel in another way, it could be slightly less intrusive. Imagine that you (the current you, not a past you) are standing there during the creation of the great wall of China. Atilla the Hun running around, beating the hell out of everyone he comes across. Then imagine being in the near future. Time travel has been invented and whenever you go back somewhere, you've already been there. Time had already thought ahead, and since it's only a straight line, it put you at the great wall ahead of time to represent you in the future going back to then. Well it makes sense in my head. I like to call this method of time travel (one of my own design) "Pre-enactment". I'd like to have the word put in the dictionary if possible.
If we apply time travel to the branching theory, then we open up a whole other kettle of fish. As nothing seems to be predetermined (unless all these branches were in fact meant to be there, but lets not get into that one), then plotting your course must be a nightmare. Not only to find the right branch, but finding your way back too. This theory allows you to freely add extra branches due to your arrival, so I wouldn't see any other problems there.
And what about fortune telling? Can people really see into alternate branches, branches that may be, or just along the line of time? As with everything, until it's proven to me then I can't believe it. What do the stars have to do with reading what may be? Is it a heavenly body thing? No idea.
For me, time is simply a measurement. A way of telling when we've spun in a circle and gone round the sun yet again. Time is a measurement used to judge how we as a world decay and rot. The nature of time is to destroy.
There are several theories out there. Some believe that time can be represented by a straight line. This indicates that there is no uncertainty in the grand scheme of things. Things will happen as they are destined to. Whatever you choose to do with your life, ultimately you have no control. Whichever choice you make, it isn't yours, for you have been destined to make that choice. Of course this theory gives people little comfort. Being in control of your own life is sometimes all we have to cling to.
The tree theory is slightly more involved. Take the line example. Then, with every choice, create a branch shooting off in another direction. This creates an alternate reality in which those alternate decisions are carried out. Of course it doesn't stop there. All choices made on the original line and from the branches will branch off once more, and again, and again, until all possibilities become a reality. I don't think it applies to the big decisions, but to everything that ever happens. From being able to hold a sneeze in to a fly choosing to turn left or right. With this theory we have such a severe freedom to choose that it could be overwhelming. I mean, everyone likes a little bit of control in their lives. Something to keep them rooted in the hear and now. This theory also spits on religion in a way. It indicates that there is no divine plan. No unseen force guiding our actions (unlike the line theory).
There are doubtless other theories out there, but of the ones I've pondered these seem the most logical within this type of arena. Lets also ponder the theory of time travel and it's plausability.
When applying time travel to the line theory it should be easy to plot where we need to go. Of course the method of getting where we desire is another matter completely. Magic, speeding delorians or phone boxes, it makes little difference. But what would happen if you could? Surely you would mess with time. Going back would change the nature of that period of time, for you were not originally there....unless you were.
Let me explain. If you think of time travel as moving from A to B, then you are going to be somewhere where you weren't before. This will change the nature of B and either erase everything after that time, or create an offshoot branch.
If you think of time travel in another way, it could be slightly less intrusive. Imagine that you (the current you, not a past you) are standing there during the creation of the great wall of China. Atilla the Hun running around, beating the hell out of everyone he comes across. Then imagine being in the near future. Time travel has been invented and whenever you go back somewhere, you've already been there. Time had already thought ahead, and since it's only a straight line, it put you at the great wall ahead of time to represent you in the future going back to then. Well it makes sense in my head. I like to call this method of time travel (one of my own design) "Pre-enactment". I'd like to have the word put in the dictionary if possible.
If we apply time travel to the branching theory, then we open up a whole other kettle of fish. As nothing seems to be predetermined (unless all these branches were in fact meant to be there, but lets not get into that one), then plotting your course must be a nightmare. Not only to find the right branch, but finding your way back too. This theory allows you to freely add extra branches due to your arrival, so I wouldn't see any other problems there.
And what about fortune telling? Can people really see into alternate branches, branches that may be, or just along the line of time? As with everything, until it's proven to me then I can't believe it. What do the stars have to do with reading what may be? Is it a heavenly body thing? No idea.
For me, time is simply a measurement. A way of telling when we've spun in a circle and gone round the sun yet again. Time is a measurement used to judge how we as a world decay and rot. The nature of time is to destroy.
posted by The Warthog at
1:08 pm
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