We observe three-dimensional states of matter changing along a single temporal dimension. We say that earlier states change into or become later states and also that earlier states no longer exist. Imagine that a hyper-cosmic being observes four-dimensional states changing along a single temporal dimension. Imagine further that each of these 4D states is an entire timeline as described in the Time Patrol series. Thus, the hyper-cosmic being, looking into a timeline from outside it, sees what appear to him to be four spatial dimensions whereas the inhabitants of the timeline, experiencing it from within, observe three spatial dimensions and experience one temporal dimension.
If a time traveler within timeline A initiates timeline B, then the hyper-cosmic being observes A changing into or becoming B, thus (from his point of view) A ceasing to exist, and he also observes the time traveler appearing in B at the point beyond which events in B differ from events in A. It follows that, from their own point of view, the inhabitants of A do not any stage cease to exist. They merely see that the time traveler has disappeared from their timeline. Thus, we can speak of A ceasing to exist provided that we understand that A does not cease to exist from the point of view of anyone who remains within it.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And I like this and similar arguments you worked out better than the original scenario seen in stories like "Delenda Est," where "deleted" timelines were not snuffed out, but simply became inaccessible to travelers from the Danellian timeline. Arguments which convinced Anderson enough that he would keep them in mind if he had written any more Time Patrol stories after "Death And The Knight."
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment