The thing I love about theoretical physics is that its just so darn theoretical. Postulate things based on evidence and then try to prove them or disprove them. You'd be surprised what the mind is capable of suggesting.
Most of the big questions in the world of theoretical physics, lately, have been thrown about because of the need to find the Unified Theory of everything. Basically, the world of universal physics (galaxies, black holes, etc...) is pretty well explained, and the universe of subatomic physics (electrons, gluons, etc...) is pretty well explained, but there is no overall theory that explains them both. And so, using mathematics and good old fashioned brain power, theoretical physicists have been trying to find the one thing that unifies them both and, in fact, all the theories of physics into one large whole that explains everything.
Some of the theories are crazy. Superstring theory, for instance, postulates something like 21 different dimensions (that's 17 more than the 3-D world we live in plus time) that are all wrapped up in super small strings - so tiny that they actually form the building blocks of all matter. However, with this many dimensions, suddenly the whole universe makes sense. There's also, now, M Theory which basically postulates that there's only something like 13 dimensions.
The latest theory, though, leaves one to imagine the possibilites. The newest theory postulates only 6 dimensions - but the new dimensions include one of space and one of time. That's right... two dimensions of time.
What shape might this second time dimension take, one wonders? Well, if the first dimension of time allows for time to move forward in one direction, the second might allow you to travel backwards in time. Or, if the first dimension allows you to travel backwards or forwards through time - in a straight line - then the second dimension might allow you travel sideways through time.
Sideways? How does one travel sideways through time? Well, that brings us to the topic of this blog. Linear time travel has always been considered impossible because of all the causality loops and problems this would cause (the obvious being that if you went backwards in time and killed your father before you were concieved, how would be born to go back in time to kill your father?) But, if there was a second dimension in time, you might be allowed to go back in time and kill your father, thus causing you to either travel sideways into another timeline exactly the same as the one you left but wherein you had never been concieved because your father had been killed before that had taken place.
The biggest problem with linear time travel is that it really creates the perception that everything is preconceived. You can not undo past events and so, therefore, there is no way of knowing whether you were meant to do something that you did, or if it was your choice to do so. With a second dimension of time, it creates not only the possibility of true free will, but it insists on the notion. If you are forced to do things exactly as they have been pre-ordained, then there is no need for a second, third, or fourth timeline. Everything will occur the same every single time. But with a second dimension of time, there are literally infinite numbers of possible choices available every single moment. Choice then becomes a very real element in your travels from point A to point Z.
Of course, this is all theoretical. And my theories are just science fiction until proven otherwise. But still... it makes you think. Does a dimension of free will exist?
2 comments:
will, how many times do i have to tell you: SWITCH BACK TO DECAF!!!
Ouch. My head hurts.
I think this opens up the possibility of parallel universes, not unlike "Sliders" or "Back to the Future" or the various comic books, specifically the DC Universe in their original attempt to explain the Golden Age Heroes vs. the Silver Age Heroes.
Oy.
My geek colors are showing again, aren't they?
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