"...often immeasurably small forces bring illimitably large consequences." (p. 163)
"'The continuum does tend to maintain its structure. A radical change is possible only at certain critical points in history. Elsewhen, compensations occur.'" (p. 168)
Why should compensations occur? They sound like the improbable occurrences preventing causality violations in an immutable timeline. And, if do they occur, then why do such compensations not prevent the immeasurably small forces from causing the illimitably large consequences?
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
The questions you ask casts doubt on the logic and plausibility of time travel. At least in stories using the idea of mutable timelines.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: no, they cast doubt on -immutable- timelines. If time travel is possible, my sense of logic tells me that either time is mutable, or multiple timelines exist.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
A more careful reading of what Paul said shows you are correct. And of the two alternatives you suggested, I would prefer for there to be multiple timelines or alternate worlds. If only because the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics allows the possibility of parallel universes. The idea of a single MUTABLE timeline makes me uneasy!
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment