Last week, we spoke about the Bootstrap paradox, which basically stated that there is no cause, instead it is the effect that becomes the cause.. which becomes the effect... that becomes ... the cause.... Okay, we're past that so let's move on already. What we're moving on to is like a branch of that paradox: The Predestination paradox. And no, it has nothing to do with religion so before you jump to conclusions, you better read this sentence first.
Going back on the internet, I came upon an entirely new website, explaining this paradox in the simplest way possible ("simple", being used loosely). The website is called the Examiner.
The Temporal (Predestination) Paradox is described as an event in a fixed point in time. It means that attempting to change something in the past, coming from the future, wont change anything. Instead it would become unchanged, actually staying as it were as an event. What really happens is when the future force attempts to change the past, that same force becomes what causes the event in the past.
Once again, this becomes a discussion needing an example. BACK TO OUR IMAGINATIONS!
Now, imagine yourself as a person... or an alien... OR AN ALIEN HUMANOID.... reading an article about a huge forest fire that happened about a month ago. You find out that it was a mere campfire gone wrong, and knowing the cause, you are inspired to try and stop it. So, you get in your time machine and go to the very place and time that the fire started. Arriving a few hours before the fire (assume it's night time), you set up camp. You get your tent up and then you start a campfire... the campfire... the camp- THE CAMPFIRE.... YOU WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING AND FIND THAT YOUR CAMPFIRE WAS SO STUPIDLY MADE THAT IT SET FIRE TO YOUR TENT THAT YOU SET UP BY A TREE, THAT, IN TURN, WAS SET ABLAZE!.... you... you... just... oh my gosh, learn to make a campfire... geez.... Anyway, after that event, you realized that YOU are the actual cause of the same, great forest fire that inspired you to try and stop it.
So, that is the Predestination Paradox. Yes, it does have a bit of disappointment for time travelers, but it's just something that can't be changed. Not ever.
Thank you all for tuning back in to TARDIS Talk! I hope to see you all again here and to learn more about time travel and the TARDIS. Goodbye!
On a last note: DID YOU GUYS SEE THE DAY OF THE DOCTOR? WASN'T IT AMAZING?! AHHHHHHHHHH! If you didn't see it, you shouldn't even be reading this blog until you have.
Going back on the internet, I came upon an entirely new website, explaining this paradox in the simplest way possible ("simple", being used loosely). The website is called the Examiner.
The Temporal (Predestination) Paradox is described as an event in a fixed point in time. It means that attempting to change something in the past, coming from the future, wont change anything. Instead it would become unchanged, actually staying as it were as an event. What really happens is when the future force attempts to change the past, that same force becomes what causes the event in the past.
Once again, this becomes a discussion needing an example. BACK TO OUR IMAGINATIONS!
Now, imagine yourself as a person... or an alien... OR AN ALIEN HUMANOID.... reading an article about a huge forest fire that happened about a month ago. You find out that it was a mere campfire gone wrong, and knowing the cause, you are inspired to try and stop it. So, you get in your time machine and go to the very place and time that the fire started. Arriving a few hours before the fire (assume it's night time), you set up camp. You get your tent up and then you start a campfire... the campfire... the camp- THE CAMPFIRE.... YOU WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING AND FIND THAT YOUR CAMPFIRE WAS SO STUPIDLY MADE THAT IT SET FIRE TO YOUR TENT THAT YOU SET UP BY A TREE, THAT, IN TURN, WAS SET ABLAZE!.... you... you... just... oh my gosh, learn to make a campfire... geez.... Anyway, after that event, you realized that YOU are the actual cause of the same, great forest fire that inspired you to try and stop it.
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| A basic representation of the paradox using a billiard ball. |
So, that is the Predestination Paradox. Yes, it does have a bit of disappointment for time travelers, but it's just something that can't be changed. Not ever.
Thank you all for tuning back in to TARDIS Talk! I hope to see you all again here and to learn more about time travel and the TARDIS. Goodbye!
On a last note: DID YOU GUYS SEE THE DAY OF THE DOCTOR? WASN'T IT AMAZING?! AHHHHHHHHHH! If you didn't see it, you shouldn't even be reading this blog until you have.
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