Would SpocK do a "Marty McFlay"...

[Franklin]

The biggest problem with knowledge like this is that the acts of sacrifice and courage over his career become banal. If I know I'm not going to die, why not throw myself in front of every bullet?

But you see, knowledge of the future isn't going to make you invulnerable. Kirk isn't going to magically become impervious to harm just because he learns that he lives to a certain age in one version of the timeline. Every act of courage he makes, he will have to make it and second guess to himself (is that what I would have done in the original timeline?). Same with Spock or anyone else if they manage to learn anything about the future from Old Spock.

I see your point. I guess the point I was trying to make is the burden one carries around of having a glimpse of one's demise and realizing that every act up to that point could jeopardize that entire timeline. We all affect the future every day, but we don't do it with any knowledge aforehand. We can't second-guess oursevles. I can only assume things.
I think I'd go crazy if someone came up to me and said, "You'll die at age 88." I mean on the one hand, I know I'll reach a ripe old age, on the other hand, that prospect will drive everything I do up to that point. And, what if I find myself in a position where if I sacrifice myself I can save someone else? If I know it changes the future, do I have a responsibility to alter time?

Ain't time travel, timelines, and alternate realities fun?

 

[Kryton]

The existence of the TPD is somewhat variable, it would seem.

http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Temporal_Prime_Directive

Interesting article. In the 24th Century it's existence is
suspect. But by the 29th, or Braxton's time, there is definitely one.

Yeah, but one of the guys who PLAYED Braxton was also "D-Day" in Animal House!

Chaos MEETS order inside one individual!