If there is an observer, like maybe a "god of time," for whom:
our temporal dimension is his fourth spatial dimension;
the relationship between successive timelines is his temporal dimension -
- then, from his perspective though not from ours, our timeline has vanished.
The blurb concludes by stating that the past must not be altered in case this leads to a worse future. But, even if it led to a better future, the Danellians would still guard the timeline that leads to them. However, it transpires that ultimately the Patrol prevents a worse, chaotic, timeline in which life would be impossible.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I have wondered, however, if this idea of the ultimate function of the Time Patrol being created in order to "restrain" chaos stands up to logical examination. That is, if time travel was possible on Earth, why not by other races on other worlds? Even assuming only a small minority would discover time travel, it seems unlikely that NONE would. Could the Patrol guard against the chaotic effects of those time travelers?
In his Time Patrol stories Poul Anderson gave us an amazing achievement in literature and science fiction. But I note how none of his Patrol stories are set on other worlds or involve non-humans. I can see why, it would be impossible to write coherent time traveling stories on an INTERSTELLAR scale.
Sean
Sean,
Also, temporal chaos happens even without time travelers. The Patrol would have to guard the whole universe.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
And that truly is an impossible scenario, the Patrol guarding the entire UNIVERSE. It would be easier to simply say God preserves the cosmos.
Sean
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