A Time Machine

[forsyth]

If I had one, I think the best use I would make of it would be to go back and time and advise myself to take better advantage of time. In particular, to invest in some quality chaos, confusion, and debauchery. Because that way I would now have interesting things to write about.

Comments

[rabidwookiee.livejournal.com]

If you had a time machine, what would be the point of altering your own past? You have a freaking time machine! We would all be irrelevant in light of what you could do. You could go to any point in time, experience the events of any period, and live pretty much any kind of life you wanted.

Failing all that, why not just make up interesting things to write about? Sure, it is not as much fun if it is not the truth, but as far as we know, it is the truth. So long as you don't tell us otherwise.

[kalifla.livejournal.com]

If he had a time machine, he'd have had a time machine, because he will have a time machine. So altering his past is moot since it's already altered because he has acquired/will acquire/did acquire a time machine to do just that.

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Because the time machine is just a metaphor.

And even if I had a time machine, I'd rather go back and chance things so that I'd done more interesting and enjoyable stuff. That'd add more to my life than just the time machine. Especially since I wouldn't enjoy the time machine properly anyways.

If there's one thing I've learned from RPGs, spending points/money to upgrade you pays off better than spending it on toys, no matter how many pluses they have.

[rabidwookiee.livejournal.com]

Well, with regards to just being a metaphor, and this whole idea being rather silly, I still wonder why you would change yourself. On one side, the moment you alter your past, you, as you are now, cease to be. You will never have had the experiences that built you up to the personality you are now. The new you will not even know anything of your life now, and may not have the perspective to truly appreciate the interesting things they have experienced. They may even wish they had a time machine to alter their past, so they could live a simpler life.

Now that is alright, if you don't mind the idea of simply ceasing to be. Or even if the very act of traveling though time some how places you outside of the paradox, then it would not be 'you' who changes, and has those experiences. You would still be the you that had the time machine, and there would simply be another you with a better life out there. Umm...well, this is all rather pointless...

I suppose the only point that I do have, is the only way to really alter history, is to go live that interesting, and enjoyable life you want now. Since a second chance seems out of the question, may as well make use of the first one, while there is still time.

[kalifla.livejournal.com]

There are many times I would change myself, given any chance. Including risky backtracking time travel. I can understand the sentiment.

And there's all those points about creating matter and energy and all that junk that we just won't go into here...
Other than that, you are correct, suh. Stiff upper lip and all that rot.

...Trace is in the Gangrene Gang ohnoez!

[forsythferret.livejournal.com]

Well, for one, I'd tell myself to stay in college. And hang out with the drama geeks, they tend to be good at debauching.

And I'd probably bring lottery tickets, or stock numbers with me. 'cause, y'know.

Which would mean that yeah, I probably wouldn't be here writing this, but such is the nature of paradox.

Also, I'd tell myself to move the HELL out of rural nowhere as soon as possible.