Time travel.

[truespock]

Our recent work with String Theory suggests the existence of multiple--even infinite--dimensions co-existing with our observable space-time continuum. In fact, the existence of these alternate realities is actually REQUIRED in order to make the math come out. Once again, the speculative fiction of the past several decades has begun to look more like a prophecy about to be fulfilled. Why can't we perceive them? What keeps them from overlapping into each other. Why can't we move between them? Well, we're not sure yet, but we think it might have something to do with our observation that sub-atomic particles are able to behave either as particles or waves, depending upon the situation. Think of this phenomenon like one of those static 'lightning' globes which stops sparking as soon as the field (you're generating) is broken by removing your finger from the surface.

Dizzy yet? It gets better.

Couple the above with Stephen Hawking's brilliant assertion that time is not the linear construct (past, present and future in a straight line we can all envision) that our limited three dimensional minds are able to grasp, but rather, a Moebius Strip of continually looped time wherein everything that CAN happen, DOES happen, but SIMULTANEOUSLY, not in the classically conceived 'straight line'.

So, where do we STORE all of these simultaneous timelines if we can't simply relegate them to some imagined 'past' or 'future'? You guessed it. They fit quite neatly into String Theory's multiple dimensions. Ergo, if we can only figure out how to keep the 'lightning globe' sparking AFTER we withdraw our finger, ei., maintain the field density of a 'doorway' into an 'adjoining' dimension, we may very well also discover the ability to 'travel in time'.

Now, consider this classic time paradox, and tell me what you think? A man goes into the past and assassinates his grandfather, thereby canceling out his own existence...which means he couldn't go 'back' in the first place...which means he's 'still' alive to do the deed...man, I need a drink!

As you can see, linear time simply doesn't allow for the possibility of time travel, but multiple dimensions DO! Our time traveler exists in one timeline to extinguish himself via grand-patricde, but this action splits off another timeline in which he doesn't exist and none of it ever happens!

More on this later, if any of you are interested.

Retired clinical psychologist and university professor, happily married, untimate Spock fan

 

[MacLeod]

To Paraphrase a few lines from Trek.

"I Hate Temporal Mechanics" or if you prefer "The Vulcan Science Directorate has determined Time Travel is Impossible." :P

 

[Misfit Toy]

I'm going to move this to the Science & Technology forum, where I think you'll get a better response.

 

[scotthm]

Our recent work with String Theory suggests the existence of multiple--even infinite--dimensions co-existing with our observable space-time continuum. In fact, the existence of these alternate realities is actually REQUIRED in order to make the math come out.

However, it's not required that the "math come out", so reality need not conform to the mathematics of string theory.

Why can't we perceive them? What keeps them from overlapping into each other. Why can't we move between them? Well, we're not sure yet

It may just be that they don't exist.

So, where do we STORE all of these simultaneous timelines if we can't simply relegate them to some imagined 'past' or 'future'? You guessed it. They fit quite neatly into String Theory's multiple dimensions. Ergo, if we can only figure out how to keep the 'lightning globe' sparking AFTER we withdraw our finger, ei., maintain the field density of a 'doorway' into an 'adjoining' dimension, we may very well also discover the ability to 'travel in time'.

Even if these multiple, simultaneous realities exist, moving between them will not move you through time because as you say, they are simultaneous. You would move from "now" in our reality to "now" in another reality. I don't believe this could be considered time travel in any sense.

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[PurpleBuddha]

Okay, just for the fun of a topic like this, I will venture completely outside of any current scientific bounds for a moment.

If the OP is correct, that means every moment is its own dimension. They are all happening simultaneously, but I get to experience them one at a time in my separated linear time.

I am not a proponent of beliefs in a creator, but if you are going to build a simulation and have enough power it seems it would make sense to have it all happen for you right away, but for the sake of the simulation have it happen in a linear fashion. Given that our existence was fashioned by this possible simulation to force us to deal with the unknown literally every moment (linear time), then perhaps something to do with learning about how to deal with the unknown is part of the purpose this hypothetical creator had in building the simulation.

Maybe it is considering traveling beyond the rim of what it currently knows and is simply preparing for it by adding the experience of trillions and trillions of our moments of dealing with the unknown to its own knowledge.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

I disagree with the first sentence of the OP: String theory doesn't suggest anything. Pure math is not science, Hilbert's paradox doesn't suggest the existence of infinite hotels, and Star Trek would be just as fictional if somebody made the physics in it mathematically sound.

P.S. Don't get me wrong, I am one who believes in the existence of a parallel universe where the Star Trek universe happens. Well, almost.