Saturday, August 09, 2008

Time Travel

Time travel had been an interesting topic and possibility. Sci-fi had been the number one interpreter on its potential. H.G. Well’s “The Time Machine”, Dean Koontz’s “Lightning”, countless novels, been used in TV shows, and several movies like “Déjà vu” and the classic “Back to the Future” trilogy. All imaginative conceptions. Some have scientific reality in them and intelligent facts. But nonetheless, the stories are fiction. So far, time travel is not yet possible (unless the number one conspiracy country in the world, USA, have a secret project on it).

Einstein said that it was possible to travel to the future, but not to the past. I am no Physics genius, and I don’t know the full details. Nonetheless, the greatest genius of the 20th century only has theories, not concrete technology. Unless the Einstein we’re talking about is that one in Red Alert and Yuri’s Revenge – again fiction.

Time travel fascinates me. But the technology and scientific principles that are needed are not yet available. Time travel still don’t exist.

Another thing that seems to make time travel impossible is the paradoxes in time travel. Paradoxes of time travel had been amazingly, impressively, and creatively used in fiction. In reality, will it work the same in fiction? I find it hard to see.

Can traveling to the past or to the future change the reality a time traveler knows? Will it change his present? Best example of a time travel paradox at work: You travel into the past and killed your parents before they meet or before you were conceived and born. Will you cease to exist then? Then again, how were you able to travel into the past in the first place when you were never even born in the first place?

Time travel paradox is a headache. An argument that seems to make time travel impossible. Paradoxes only work well in fiction.

Do human beings have the power to change reality? Another point. Is human free will really that powerful that it can overrule fate? It is just too incomprehensible… impossible almost.

If you change the past by time traveling thus changing the reality of the present, what would happen to the original present you know of? Will it just disappear? Or will it remain existing in a parallel universe? If the latter is true, then changing the reality of the present by time travel can also create parallel universes at the same time?

Fascinating are time travel, alternate universes, and the topics from them.

Do human beings have those powers – time travel, changing reality, creating universes? I don’t know. All I know is no one can change God’s will. (If it is God’s will that humans can have those powers, then so be it)

But it seems to me that changing reality by time travel is struggling with fate. It is much better to submit to God’s will. And life is already filled with paradoxes; do we need more that will be produced by time travel?

The popular line in the movie “Kung Fu Panda” goes roughly (not verbatim), “The past is history. The future is mystery. But today is a gift. That’s why it is called present.” Live life as a day-to-day basis. Don’t be anxious about the past and future. Be still. Live life one day at a time. Submit to God’s will, because His manuscript and blueprint of life is beautiful, good, fun, and exciting. With or without time travel.

MORE Favorite Fiction Characters

I already mentioned in the past my favorite characters in fiction. Here are some more characters that I like:

Most Fave Creative/Inventive Funny Character – Mr. Bean
This Rowan Atkinson character had made me laugh hard many times. The situations he got into are as hilarious as his character. The best thing about him is that he solves these dilemmas and challenges by outrageous and stupid contraptions and methods. Then again, if a method or invention is stupid but it works and gets the job done, it’s not stupid at all.

Most Fave Adventurer - Indiana Jones
So what if he's afraid of snakes? Indie is a great scholar with a hunger for knowledge and adventure, and having the amazing ability to think on his feet.

Most Fave Walt Disney Character – Genie
Aladdin’s genie with the “phenomenal cosmic powers” is one of the most powerful and one of the most hilarious characters I know. With antics, punch lines, and incredible skill in mimicry, he’s a “Saturday Night Live” first-class material.

Most Fave Food Lover – Jughead Jones
Archie’s crowned bestfriend never gets fat even though he eats a lot. Food. Food. Food. The love of his life is food, that’s why he ignores girls. He is also lazy, laid back, and takes life easy. But he is always ready to take the initiative and be active if needed.

Most Fave Gunslinger – Ronald Deschain
The Dark Tower series’ hero is the best Western-style hero ever (even better than Clint Eastwood’s “The Good” character). Cold, disciplined, tough, and very deadly with his six-shooters. Fast as lightning when he draws, shoots, and reloads; deadly accurate with his aim; and “kills with his heart.” There is also something admirable about him in his dedication (or obsession) for the Dark Tower and his faith in ka (God’s will or destiny).

Most Fave Character with Sixth Sense – Odd Thomas
“I see dead people, but by God, I do something about it,” he says. Using his gift (never considers it a curse) to help people, both living and dead. Though he is young, he takes life seriously but with wit and will do anything to “save the world.”

Most Fave Cannibal – Hannibal Lecter
Even though he is twisted and eats other people, I like him for being very intelligent, cold, and versatile. Even though he is more of a villain than a hero, I can’t help admiring this character.

Most Fave Laugher – The Shadow
He has a laugh that sounds evil, but he is really a good guy. Plus, he has a network of agents, can turn invisible, and has pistols for weapons – what more we can ask from a vigilante?

Most Fave Analyst – Jack Ryan
He can analyze data very well and draw and give logical and wise evaluations and advice from his analyses. He is also a man of principles and a “cowboy” that makes him very valuable. He is also not afraid to contradict his superiors and speak his mind out if it is for the good of his country or the situation.

Most Fave Game Character – Tanya
She’s that adorable commando in the Red Alert game series. She’s hot, she’s deadly, and attracted to you when you play the commander of the Allied. “Shake it, baby” indeed.

Most Fave Game-to-Movie Character – Johnny Cage
Aw, he’s underused and underappreciated in the Mortal Kombat universe. And they always kill him in any story. Yeah, he’s more for comic relief, but that makes him more interesting. He’s a Hollywood actor, so that seems to make him harmless and unimportant. But he really knows how to fight and can hold his ground in the Mortal Kombat competition. I like cool underdogs like Cage.

Most Fave Driver – The Transporter
He is governed by rules to keep his life organized, and he has excellent driving prowess, as well as skills in martial arts and weapons for being a former elite soldier. This is indeed the guy we want to deliver our packages or be our personal driver