Could I Be Using My Time Machine More Effectively?

[Amy, Queen of Time]

This piece from The New Yorker is cute and definitely worth a read: "Could I Be Using My Time Machine More Effectively?"

[Tej]

Charming and funny. First paragraph is hilarious in the innocence of "missing" the obvious opportunity. Also a fine ensemble of most pitfalls and paradoxes in time travel.

I really love this one, worthy of being an actual short story.

Thanks for the find, Amy. Really enjoyed that.

[Cheryl]

That's a hoot. Thank you.

[W.]

Loved it. Although I have to admit I wonder what the Old Me was crying about... Damn! Hooked on something that will never be answered.

What do you think?

[Tej]

W. wrote: "Loved it. Although I have to admit I wonder what the Old Me was crying about... Damn! Hooked on something that will never be answered.

What do you think?"

And that was an especially lovely end which allows one to apply many interpretations as sees fit.

My favoured interpretation is as the writer realises from the hilarious muffin and toilet roll paradoxical loop incidents, life is predetermined and when ever he goes back in time to do something, he is just contributing to playing out an existing paradoxical loop.

So keeping along that theme, the old man visitor is sad because when he was at the writer's current age, he was visited by an old man (ie what he has now become) sporting a very sad face, which effectively made the young writer sad to know that he will become a sad old man and from there on that sadness is reflected upon himself, hence why as an old man he will be sad out of that lifelong apprehension that he caused upon himself! For me that would fit his theme. But then there is the kiss and I expect the old man is using his time maching for one last time, nearing to depart the world, and looked forward to the kiss and warmth that he had probably needed for a long time with knowledge that his younger counterpart will face the future he has already led. All very bittersweet but that was the progressive vibe I got from this lovely, funny and ultimately bittersweet story.

[Tej]

And whats even more hilarious about the toilet roll is that there will be an eventual iteration where the roll has no paper left on it, lol.