Perpendicular Worlds
- by John Gribbin
- Short Story
- Science Fiction
- Adults
- Definite Time Travel
- English
Perpendicular Worlds
by John Gribbin, in Analog, September 1984.
Mackenzie, a researcher and problem solver who must continually justify his existence to his benefactor, is puzzled about why the things he sends back in time never reappear, but then he starts thinking about Everett’s interpretation of quantum physics, leading him to a circular idea.
—Michael Main
You make it sound so simple, Dr. Mackenzie. Just tell me if I’ve got it right. You say that, according to Everett’s calculations, there must be a world—a perpendicular world?—where you, or your counterpart, has solved the puzzle of time travel. And in order to ask him how he did it, all you need is a time machine. Am I right?
Tags
(14)
- Time Periods
- Archean Eon (4000 Ma to 2500 Ma): the start of life on Earth
- Circa AD 1970 to 1999: Mackenzie’s presumed starting point
- Timeline Models
- Unexplained Timeline Model: Although branching timelines are discussed, they are rooted in quantum mechanics, not time travel. And I didn't spot any actual discussion of a timeline model for time travel.
- Time Travel Methods
- High Speed, Angular Momentum, Gravity, Cosmic Strings, etc. Cause Time Warp: a mini black hole
- Time Probes: into the past only
- Themes
- Ex Nihilo Obects and People: The seed DNA that they unintentionally sent back to the primeval soup had no begining.
- Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Physics: The worlds are called perpendicular to each other, rather than parallel.
- True Histories: The true story of how life began on Earth.
- Real-World Tags
- Albert Einstein: mentioned
- Frank Tipler: mentioned
- Hugh Everett: mentioned
- Stephen Hawking: mentioned
- Groupings
Variants
(1)
Perpendicular Worlds
by John Gribbin, in Analog, September 1984.