Time Travel discussion
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"How the Future Got Better" -Eric Schaller (2-1-15)
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Ummmmm.... was that a short story or a vignette?
It was certainly an easy read. But... I dunno, I feel like the writer avoided doing anything useful or interesting with the idea.Maybe the point was to suggest that humans are banal and, even with the ability to see the future, most people would sit there and stare, same as they always do.
But even a theme like "sheep will be sheep" can be explored in a more interesting way. Like I said, it was an easy read, but I still am left feeling like my time was wasted. In a mild-mannered way.
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Not sure if this is social commentary on anything about the current TV generation...I could see this being a security system or fire alarm. Not only do you have an intruder or a fire in your house you now have five minutes to react before any of it happens.
Yes, it would certainly change the value of a security check-point that is watched by a 5 minute time viewer.
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It makes me wonder what the difference was in the reaction of the nerds who developed this technology versus releasing into the wild where it was received as a boring version of a reality television show.
Do people really eat supper at a specific time every evening such that 30 minutes makes a difference? I think that's the part of the story that I mused over most.
The story makes for an interesting idea though. 3 stars at most.
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Lincoln, I am with you on remembering the joys of setting up new game systems etc. I feel like my family has a scene like this with our first VCR.
Welp, coming in late I get to cheat and not think about my reaction, but just choose among yours. I'm finding everything Nathan said in #7 to be spot on, except that I'll give it only 3 stars. I do love tight encapsulations and ideas left open to interpretation - but I still wanted just a little bit more.... I want to know if that 5 minute preview is the end-all of this new technology, and what 'ghosting' is It sounds dangerous).
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Its possible Amy...However you will have to upgrade to the newest model to allow for the new features...
Amy wrote: "I'd like to see a little ghosting experiment. What if Uncle Yeehaw didn't get up to get that beer? Would their television screen then have to switch to the new reality or would you suddenly have sc..."You're assuming that it's possible. The set may only show what you will eventually do.
But mom faded when she started to refuse what was predicted... it seemed to me like it would be something you'd not want to mess with....
Or, think about how the manual suggested turning it on five minutes early, to avoid the ghostings... does that mean that the receiver can only predict if it's in active contact with the viewer(s)? If so, then turning it off, or to another show, or walking away should be safe... but defying it may not be....
Cheryl wrote: "Or, think about how the manual suggested turning it on five minutes early, to avoid the ghostings... does that mean that the receiver can only predict if it's in active contact with the viewer(s)? ..."No, it wasn't a threatening thing. Mom was just being a doofus.
The image on the screen started ghosting, because she changed the probabilities, just by considering different actions. In fact, her awareness of it must certainly have changed things, if only slightly.
And that invalidates my previous comment. I forgot about the ghosting.
The only thing that makes sense, to me, is that her image ghosted, but would then resettle, once she stopped thinking about tricking it (in other words, once she stopped thinking about her future). It's also why you're told to set it for 5 minutes: that's the farthest it can look into the future, with any semblence of accuracy.
Quantum uncertainty washes out images altogether, fairly quickly.
Interesting thought came to me:You could end up playing "Keeping up with the Jones's", but you are the Jones's.
ok
I liked this one. Reminded me of the opening of "The Simpsons," sort of.... Not sure if I understand the ending. I *think* I understand it but just not sure. Anyway: 4 stars. :)
James wrote: "Ummmmm.... was that a short story or a vignette?"I googled "vignette" and I think this might be the 2nd definition! (especially with the ghosting thing):
2. a small illustration or portrait photograph that fades into its background without a definite border.
Glynn wrote: "I googled "vignette" and I think this might be the 2nd definition! (especially with the ghosting thing)"While I applaud your poetic interpretation and use of the term, I actually meant it as an honest question.
This introduces a bunch of characters, exposes them to something and... the rest of the "story" is missing. This seems like the part, in someone else's short story, that's dealt with in a paragraph, before we get to the really interesting stuff.
Glynn wrote: "I liked this one. Reminded me of the opening of "The Simpsons," sort of.... ha
Glynn wrote: Not sure if I understand the ending. I *think* I understand it but just not sure. "
Well, here's the best place to check. Why not say what you understood and see if it floats?
James wrote: "Glynn wrote: Not sure if I understand the ending. I *think* I understand it but just not sure. "Well, here's the best place to check. Why not say what you understood and see if it floats?"
ok (view spoiler) but now that I am writing it I think I am wrong.
He spots them watching something, but Nut Jobs wasn't on. I think the point was that they didn't even have to think for themselves, they could just do what they see themselves doing.
I believe the entire story is a condemnation of popular culture and the cult of boob tube.
James wrote: "...I believe the entire story is a condemnation of popular culture and the cult of boob tube. "I think you are correct :)
Full story online here:
http://www.sensesfive.com/2010/08/01/...