Choose one and tell me why:
– Time Travel
– Multiverse Travel
– Dimensional Travel
– Interstellar Travel
Interstellar Travel is the stuff of classic sci-fi, like Star Trek and Stargate, and while this is a speculative exercise, the likelihood of encountering alien life over weeks, months, even years (if at all) is highly unlikely. Not so bad if you can step through the gate and be back home by bedtime, but even the merest of ship-board five year missions would risk making me loopy if I wasn’t seeing any action.
Time Travel, on the other hand, is an even older sci-fi chestnut that, theoretically, offers opportunities for great fun. As some have mentioned, who wouldn’t seize the possibility of being reunited with a lost loved one? But when you get into the mechanics of time travel, you start having to deal with the possibility of paradoxes and start worrying about how your actions could screw up the timeline, potentially landing you back in a horribly altered present where people wear their socks OVER their shoes. Of course it all depends on the theory of time travel you subscribe to but I would argue that if you’re an adherent of the branching timeline theory, then we’re getting into…
Multiverse Travel – Wherein we journey along the road not taken, perhaps a past in which the Roman Empire never fell or a timeline where those ref-abetted cheater Patriots never won all those Super Bowls. Past, present, or future, paradoxes no longer apply since it’s not YOUR reality you’re screwing with so why the hell not?
Dimensional Travel – Rarely explored in sci-fi, but when it is (Event Horizon, Annihilation, Stranger Things), it’s usually pretty damn horrific. This choice is, I’d argue, the easiest way to induce psychosis.
So I’m going Multiverse.
And you?
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I’ve always loved episodes like “1969” and “Isn’t That a Paradox?” — time travel for me is all about sneaking through history, laughing at the chaos you cause, and enjoying every “what if” along the way.
Joseph, always wondered and wanted to ask you this question, do you truly believe there is intelligent life in our universe? I know silly question but you write about it, just curious. I believe…
Thanks for all you’ve created!
I believe there is, likely, intelligent life out there somewhere.
. . . just not on Earth. Da dum tish!
I agree. It’s an infinite universe. The laws of probability state there must be plenty of intelligent life out there. One species per galaxy would mean there’s billions of intelligent civilisations out there. But the laws of physics mean they will never be aware of each other.
I’m happy to hear that!
Thanks for asking, Phil. I’ve always wondered ,too.
Time travel definitely. I’m into archaeology (my Dad used to go metal detecting and has finds in our local museum and the British Museum) and being a Norfolk Ginger, would love to meet Boudica
Tough choices. When in doubt, don’t.
I’m in!
MULTIVERSE! It’s the most promising!
Anyway, it’s an extremely provocative question generating an exciting debate.
interstellar travel: you’re right! All I can hope now is that aliens will come to us. Us to them…unlikely, especially since the Stargate has closed.
Dimensional travel: l no longer consider it, for exactly the reasons you listed.
Time travel is as you say. It would create too many paradoxes and disruptions. Especially if we traveled into the past. Although, sometimes when I lwatch the episodes you’ve written in Stargate SG1, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe, and Dark Matter, I get the feeling that you’ve peeked into the future… or at least you ‘ve made a phone call there.
That leaves Multiverse, clearly. Very attractive and with endless possibilities. And reassuring for us…
But how do we proceed? How do we travel between these parallel worlds? And how do we know if we’ve arrived in an alternate reality? Only if we meet ourselves? Let’s say we – the members of your blog community – are in reality A. But there are also realities B, C, D, and so on. Can we intersect deliberately or just by accidental events – as seen in Stargate SG1 and Atlantis?
Very challenging SCI-Fi mode!
By the way the way you define the Multiverse Travel – “Wherein we journey along the road not taken” – is the most beautiful definition ever!
Time Travel. I have at least one mystery in my family tree that I would like to go back and solve.
Interstellar travel is problematic without something like a Stargate. And even then you’re limited to where you can go. As you say, the chance of anything actually exciting happening is pretty slim.
I ascribe to the fixed timeline theory of time travel so there’s no risk of paradoxes. Doesn’t make for interesting sci-fi stories, but I’d still like to see history in person, and find out what happens in the future.
Multiverse travel opens up more possibilities for storytelling. I love reading and watching alternate reality stories. Harry Turtledove is my homie. But I’m not sure if I’d want to actually go to any of these realities.
Dimensional travel is an interesting one I’ve never thought about. I’m reading a book at the moment that’s set in Hell (I think at least one of the sequels is also set in Heaven). You could consider those other dimensions. Most portrayals of other dimensions are pretty horrific so I don’t think I’d like to travel to them. I read a lot of Brian Lumley in the ’90s and I enjoyed his theory that vampires come from another dimension . . . but I would want to travel there!
Fixed timeline time travel for me! I want to be a tourist, not a protagonist!
It’s nice to be a tourist. Good analysis.
I didn’t vote. I never could decide! I’m still not sure what I would be getting into with each scenario. Therefore, I’m chickening out!
It’s quite difficult to choose. But it’s an interesting question that “engaged” the blog community. I’m happy to be a part of this community,together with you all.
From yesterday’s comic book covers: My favorite is Superman #30 – cover art by David Aja.
I’d go with time travel. Sure, Futurama delved into the potential pitfalls but a few Dr Who episodes make time travel seem doable.
How’s the Montreal visit going? Say Hi to your mom and all her friends. 👋🏻
How’s your Mum Joe? I think that everyone’s worried xxxx and obviously about you, Akemi and Sharky xxx We all quite understand not posting as family comes first
Hey, Jane, mom is the same. Physically fine, albeit slower, but mentally not all there. But she is in good spirits. Thanks for asking.
Thanks for letting us know Joe xxx
Jane, thank for asking Joseph. You’re right, everyone has worried, and now, we have the answer.