Time-Travel Paradoxes!

From 03 January to 12 February 2001

03 January 2001 13:47

I've been reading the last few postings with a bit of confusion. I see there is controversy over my "story" that is causing some people to ask themselves if they believe it or not. For quite a while, I have been stating that not only do I not expect anyone to believe me, it's irrelevant and in my opinion, quite dangerous. Belief implies that you accept what I say as true and real. Over the Internet, this is impossible. In fact, I have stated before, there are many people in 2036 who do not believe in time travel.

I also think that unwavering belief is dangerous. One very disturbing thing I have noticed about your society in general is your blind acceptance of what you are told. Do you really think the news industry doesn't have an agenda? Do you really think those hamburgers you stuff into your body are safe? Do you really think your government is telling you the truth? What proof do you have of any of that?

What I do want you to do is open your eyes to the events that happening around you that have nothing to do with me. Some of you have been reading for a while now about the war in 2015 and the breakthroughs in particle physics that would be coming soon. Doesn't the CIA report on 2015 and news on the z-field compression at least support what I've been saying a little bit?

I just saw another story today about the Russians moving Nukes into the Balkans to thwart any future expansion by NATO. I also haven't heard anyone take me up on my "information experiment" on the IBM 5100 or check out the information I've given you about the UNIX failure in 2038. With all due respect, I find it hard to take some of you seriously.

05 January 2001 13:46

In 2036, community life is a bit different. People are valued and judged based on their contribution and worth. Work is organized around the family and the value of that work is assessed inside of the community. Most communities range in size from 1000 to 4000 people. If a family wanted to move from one community to another or if a son or daughter wanted to move to another community, they must apply and be interviewed by the community leadership council.

During this process, the family or individual is evaluated as to whether or not the work or skill they have is required or necessary to that individual community. Once accepted, the family or individual is expected to uphold their end of the work and support the community. If they don't, the community stops supporting them and they are forced to change their attitude or move away from the community.

The family work we did was picking, sorting and shipping oranges by sailboat up and down the coast of Florida. We were expected to produce a certain amount for the community and a certain amount for other communities as agreed to by our CLC. In exchange, we received power, water, a certain amount of food and other necessities that were produced inside our community.

I see this message board as a small community and I have no other way to value the contributions of others on it other than what my past experiences tell me. I have tried to answer as many questions as I can without being annoying, repetitive or inappropriate, and for some of you, entertaining. Under these conditions, I have decided to seek guidance from all of you, the other members of this community, as to whether or not my postings are of any value to the direction of these discussions. If they are getting distracting or repetitive, I will stop and continue to enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas.

Who receives the Nobel Prize for time travel? Since you claim no two worldlines are the same, this information could not hurt anything.

There are a great many people involved with the discovery of time travel. Just as I will not give "stock tips", I will not divulge their names as that may impact their lives now.

What would happen if you gave us technical information that's discovered in a year or so?

If I had any and I published them, I'm sure they may have a large impact. Unfortunately, I don't have any with me. Even if I did, I'm sure they would be scrutinized. Again we get back to the same question. If you were a time traveler, what would you do to establish your credibility?

Have any other time travelers visited your future in 2036?

No, I am not aware of time travelers visiting my worldline in 2036. However, that does not mean it can't or isn't happening. Also, the possible number of worldlines a time traveler might arrive at would place the chances of them hitting any particular one at very long odds.

What happens to (name of person asking question)? Am I involved in Time Travel? What of the (armed) resistance?

I have no idea what happens to you in your future. There was a resistance on my worldline but their goal was to maintain power and control over other people. We killed most of them by 2020.

How big is the IBM 5100?

I would say its about 20" long, 10" high and 30" long.

Timetravel-0 and I are not getting along.

I'm not aware we had a falling out. I apologize if you think that's the case.

Are there still books in 2036?

Yes, books are still published.

Are there restrictions to what you can do with the time machine?

The displacement machine is not mine but I am free to make certain decisions based on the experiences and information I gather from each worldline. I am expected back but from their perspective, I will only have been gone for a split second.

06 January 2001 13:10

What is the progress on string theory?

Who doesn't love string theory? Please forgive the next few comments, I'm trying to be cryptic and jump starting my memory at the same time. In 2036, string theory still dominates physics due to its continued "effect" of encompassing other physical properties from unrelated fields.

A great deal of the theoretical mathematics behind time travel was discovered by testing various ideas in string theory and eliminating the anomalies. As I recall, it was this original work that led to the final proof that six dimensions do indeed curl up to give us our observable universe. This in turn supported more of the theoretical math behind time travel.

It's ironic that the beauty of string theory gives future engineers the confidence to create the distortion unit even though the final proof is still unknown. You're a physics student, have you ever heard the Princeton String Quartet play?

09 January 2001 09:28

Why don't you give us more detailed information about the future so we won't be so skeptical?

I think skepticism is a good thing and no one should lose it.

Why don't you accept my challenge? What harm could it do?

I'm not sure what "challenge" you are referring to. If you mean the live chat, I have no problem with that. I do that quite often on other boards. However, I fear I have very few bread and circuses left and I fear I am becoming quite boring. Also, I'm not sure I fully understand the nature of the challenge.

You could still give us details about the future that wouldn't harm anyone and still add to your credibility.

Again, I do not seek to add to my credibility. There is no point to it. Actually, by providing information that was useful, I would be adding to your collective fear that I am real. In that case, this cycle we are in concerning "truth" only spirals and gets worse.

Why can't you name the five presidents you have in your time?

Over the past few postings, I have tried to describe the limits of what I will talk about and why. Here is a short recap list. In future postings, I will place the following number next to each question as to why I will not discuss it.

I will not disclose any information that will cause someone to personally gain by its knowledge. This means no stock or sports tips. I will not disclose any detailed information that would allow someone to avoid death by probability. This means no earthquake or bombing information.

I will not disclose any information that may compromise any future actions by individual people or threaten their family and well-being.
On my worldline, we are no longer afraid of the "NWO".

Are you afraid of Nazis?

The reason the job of President was split into an office of 5 has 4 main reasons. With 5 (presidents), foreign policy is more consistent, power shifting between parties has less of an impact on the overall government, individual strengths between presidents add to the strength of the overall office, and one president is elected for each major area in the United States.

What is the extent of Presidential power in 2036?

The office of President is far more diluted and decentralized than it is here. The powers of the national government are more defined and reside more at the county and state level.

What is the new government like in 2036 compared to the current one?

I think the new government is good. However, since the concept of nationally subsidized welfare is gone, most people here may not appreciate it.

Where is the new US capitol?

The new US capitol is in Omaha Nebraska.

How do the 5 presidents take power?

The voting for individual candidates is on a rotating schedule.

What are the other time traveler's destinations, and missions?

I am not aware of the details of other missions. Of the seven, three had already left before I did. I suspect they are on similar missions.

Are any other time travelers on our current worldline?

No, the chances of that are very slim.

Are you in contact with other time travelers?

No, although I would suspect that is not impossible I have no idea how you would do that.

Is it possible to send a message through time?

Unless the information physically travels with the person; none that I'm aware of.

09 January 2001 12:24

I apologize for being unable to respond faster. I looked back and couldn't find any questions but I may be mistaken.

I also see that you seem to have a great deal of anger directed at me. If you knew where I was and how to get the distortion unit, what would you do? What judgment and punishment should be passed upon me?

On this and many other discussion boards are people who are genuinely interested in and hoping to experience or discover time travel. What punishment would you apply to them if the succeed? I see that you too have had time travel experience. What punishment do you deserve?

When time travel was discovered, there were many people who were against its development. However, once the true nature of time was realized, the resistance faded. Even if one worldline was able to ban, kill and stop all time travel, it will continue on another.

However, the corollary is also true. Take heart, on some worldline, you have succeeded and all time travelers are dead by the hand of your followers and thinking or talking about it is a crime.

Perhaps we should all agree what we mean when we use the phrase "time travel". We are all moving forward in time just by existing and the effects of acceleration and gravity do "slow" time down for the observer so the rest of the world seems to speed up around them.

If we call this natural time travel (time-like trips on a single worldline) then perhaps its really controlled time travel that you are after (space-like trips on a single worldline or traveling to alternate worldlines).

January 10, 2001

With that, it may then be useful to separate the concept of controlled time travel into theory and practice. In theory, time travel was taken seriously by mainstream science when it discovered that Einstein's equations do indeed support the possibility of controlled time travel under special relativity. Since special relativity (under its current limitations) has been proved useful and accurate in predicting other physical phenomena, it is widely believed that controlled time travel is also possible.

Nearly all of the solutions that allow time travel in special relativity also have the annoying problem of crushing the time traveler in a wake of radiation and gravity. In my experience, there is only one safe way to obtain controlled time travel and that involves the "safe" properties of a Kerr singularity (black hole).

However, I do not discount the possibility of other methods either physical or metaphysical. I'm just not sure I would bet my life on them without any math to back them up.

10 January 2001 01:13

E(8) x E(8)?

10 January 2001 23:10

You mentioned a divergence percentage between time lines. How is it possible to measure divergence?

The measurement for worldline divergence is an observation variable isolated to the distortion unit. An effective analogy would be a "gravity radar". The unit's sensors take a "snapshot" of the local gravity around the unit before a flight. During travel, this baseline is periodically checked to make sure there are no major changes in the environment that would cause a catastrophic mass failure (brick wall appearing from nowhere).

The percentage of VGL divergence from one worldline to another is a calculated guess by the three computers that control the unit based on its starting point. It is useless in describing characteristics of individual worldlines.

There is a bit of folklore about the first distortion driver who reaches a destination with a zero divergence. This would mean they had traveled on a space-like trip to their own worldline of origin. This paradox is quite possible although highly unlikely. I wonder if anyone out there can take current string theory and make that one work on paper?

You said 6 curled up dimensions. The current string theory suggests that there should be at least 7.

I may be mistaken but I thought it was pretty well established now that (N-10) was on track.

11 January 2001 09:04

I must admit (forum name), you have succeeded in confusing me. The more I read your postings, the more I question my understanding and local use of social interaction, courtesy and logic. However, I also believe that all viewpoints have some inherent value even if it's not apparent.

I take it you won't answer my last post?

I took a look at your last posting and didn't see any questions. However, I now realize that I may be mistaken in assuming much of what you wrote was rhetorical. In may be helpful if you add some indication that you are asking a question you wish someone to comment on.

If you're from the future, than you should know what happens to (personal names of people on forum)? Am I involved in time travel?

This is the only question I found from your postings that you could be referring to. Again, I have no knowledge of you in any possible future nor would I comment on it if I did. As far as the photograph of me in a uniform, I'm not sure what that would prove even if I had one.

If you speak to me anymore, I will probably discredit your claims of being a time traveler.

I do not seek credit for anything. The most I hope for (for the most part) is to be at least interesting and engaging.

If you want meet my challenge (to talk online), I await your answer.

Perhaps I was unclear before. I did provide the web link earlier that does have a chat room set up for time travel. My schedule is a bit more flexible right now at least for the next week or so. Please take a look and let me know when you will be there (open to anyone of course). Since there really is nothing to be gained or lost, I look at this not as a challenge but more of an opportunity to get to know everyone better.

You need to answer people more quickly. You answer questions only when it is convenient for you. Your answers appear to be just enough to satisfy someone but you have enough time to just look it up in a book.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. In earlier postings, I have stated that I'm trying to avoid repeating myself and frankly there are some items that are just over my head or that I have no knowledge of. It is curious that you feel knowledge can be something owned or somehow that becomes less worthwhile if it's passed on.

Your future seems to be fixated on killing people. Isn't there a criminal justice system or do you just enjoy killing people?

Perhaps you could take the dialogue in question and post it with your question. However, if I understand you, you're asking about death on my worldline. Yes, it is more a part of our lives than it is yours (at least for now) and capitol punishment is a reality.

11 January 2001 11:49

I don't believe I ever said I came back looking for a UNIX bug fix. I came back for a computer system. Don't you find UNIX useful now? Temperature is about the same although there were anomalies after the war.

Just curious.... what does everyone think of "IT"? (Ginger)

15 January 2001 12:04

In the post that follows, I've tried to answer the latest questions directed at me but I am hoping you all may be able to add some insight into something I've noticed. In our attempt to communicate here, some of the comments on this board have become increasingly hostile and negative. I see the same type of interaction when I watch news interview programs.

The guise of productive interaction and communication is thwarted by illogical verbal attacks and misdirection. I understand why the news does it. They are trying to hold an audience by generating conflict. For a while, I thought that was the goal here too but it appears that anger and conflict is being created on this site to cause genuine harm and pain. Its hard for me to believe that this is being done on purpose so I have concluded I simply do not understand some hidden element of your collective social interaction.

On the other hand, if its being done for no reason, I would understand a little better how people in this time could accomplish so much and yet be so vulnerable to their emotions and fears. I think it was Thomas Jefferson who believed that the only way to sway opinion was through calm, respectful, intelligent conversation.

Weather I'm a time traveler or not, I suppose there are numerous ways to view my "story". By the nature of the communication medium, I believe it's impossible to prove therefore it's impossible to believe. I agree that conversation spurs ideas. If I'm not a time a time traveler, than perhaps the seemingly disjointed statements I make will actually create the idea in one of you that leads to "real" time travel.

What is a WORLDLINE?

Individual worldlines represent the limits and paths physical objects take through space-time under the laws of special relativity. They can be shown graphically on an x-y graph with x representing distance in space and y representing passing of time.

In time travel talk, worldlines are used as a way to describe and separate the experiences of a time traveler because various laws of special relativity appear to breakdown and can't be defined on a single worldline. (The word) Worldline has also become synonymous with "alternate universe" and / or "timeline".

You've admitted to taking things back with you. Do you pay for those items?

I pay for these items with money. Personally, I believe stealing is wrong.

Couldn't you just take what ever you wanted back with you?

There are mass limits to what can be taken back.

Are you tested mentally before becoming a time traveler? What makes a good time traveler?

Yes, there are numerous psychological tests. I was chosen based on my educational background and military service. The training lasted about two years. There is a great deal of physical training to counter the physical effects of distortion. They were also looking for drivers who had a fair amount of self-sufficiency and an ability to function under extreme isolation and confinement.

What do they look for when choosing someone for a mission?

Depending on the mission, time travelers are usually chosen for a particular mission based on their ability to gain the cooperation of someone related to the goal on the target worldline. In my case, my grandfather was directly involved with the building and programming of the 5100.

If a time traveler is bad and commits murder or goes crazy, is there anyway they can be recalled?

There is a difference of philosophy between us that should be clarified. Since I believe that all possible outcomes and events are possible, probable and certain, it is impossible to assign "goodness" or "badness" to a person or situation.

On some other worldline, I am an insane time traveler causing destruction and death while (name of forum member who confronts John on a regular basis) chases me with his band of devoted followers. However, on this one, I am not.

Since both events are certain, their value is neutral.

You can only assign goodness and badness to the events and experiences you have direct control over or witness. Only actions are good and bad, not people or things. I suppose if I was a psychotic killer, I could accomplish my mission, avoid capture and still return to my worldline of origin without penalty. There would be no way for them to know what happened. However, I believe that action is wrong and I would be accountable to my God.

What exactly is "IT" since no one will know for sure until probably 2002 according to news reports?

I suppose this question is my own fault. As a time traveler, I am expected to know every winning horse and hot stock as well as the weather in all parts of the world at all times. I was genuinely interested in your opinion of how "IT" was being presented and advertised. Do you feel manipulated? Do you think it's really a big deal? Do you like the way the news is dealing with it?

How do you know our worldline and yours will follow the same path?

This worldline and my own are almost exactly alike.

15 January 2001 13:36

Thank you for considering the problem of (my) returning home. You seem to have stumbled on an intuitive proof of some of the physics of time travel. You are correct, getting back to the worldline of origin is easier than picking an exact destination on a different worldline. I wrote down the graphic you outlined. If y1 starts perpendicular to x1 and x2 and is rotated, where is the center of rotation? I imagined it between x1 and x2. If this is so, wouldn't y1 end up parallel between x1 and x2 with each one being 6 inches away from y1 on either side?

Does the micro-singularity that powers your time machine physically reduce the size of objects during operation?

Actually, there are 2 singularities in the unit. The gravity field is manipulated by three factors that affect it in distinct ways. Adding electric charge to the singularities increases the diameter of the inner event horizons. Adding mass to the singularities increases the area of gravitational influence around the singularities. Rotating and positioning the polar axis of the singularities affects and alters the gravity sinusoid.

The effects of the gravity produced by the unit do not have enough time to significantly alter physical objects within a reasonable distance from the outside of the sinusoid. No, things do not get smaller.

If the electron injection system alters the shape of the field, would that not force the unit to accelerate through space as well as time?

There is no relative movement in space due to three main factors. Large, kinetic energy inducing effects of the gravity field are compensated for by the interaction of the singularities. The mass of the unit and any objects inside the sinusoid do not exhibit any huge increases on the departure worldline during travel. The observed path of the traveler is obtained by changing the gravity, not by moving the vehicle. The black hole comes to you.

The question is define "time".

To me, time has two definitions. I see time as a mathematical component of a 10 dimensional super universe. It is a variable I use to define my location and existence.

I also see time as a metaphysical compromise our senses use to define the area of collective existence God has placed us in. When I can measure and sense time, I know I am not with God.

16 January 2001 10:43

I know you have a hidden agenda. You have not made clear your motives and are only giving us very little proof. Why are you holding back?

Rest assured there is nothing I have planned in my "hidden agenda" that will make anyone's life any worse than it already might be.

Am I right? You do a lot of work in the background of our society? Admit it.

I plan to leave soon. There is nothing I can do here that will affect my home. My goals are based on the love I have for my family. Actually, my interest in the past is a result of going through piles of half burned books and magazines left over from a war started by people you share this planet with right now. On that note, perhaps its more interesting to consider what I won't be doing to try and stop that war.

What are your personal beliefs? Do you believe in God, which one? Do you think the ends justify the means? Don't you have people regulating Time Travel?

How many Gods are there? I believe in just one. What are your suggestions for regulating time? Perhaps a list of your "time rights" would be something to spark conversation on the board.

You are a cheater of life. Why can't your worldline fend for itself? You take the solution from us and threaten to change billions of lives (here). Why don't you care about that?

I'm just guessing that "cheater of life" is not a compliment. I can't think of a reason why my actions would be immoral and someone else's would not. You suggest I'm capable of changing lives. I suggest that I'm no more capable of that than you are.

I'm just not so sure you recognize your own potential. You don't need a time machine to save or destroy people. If there was another person doing the exact same things I was but they didn't have a time machine, would they be putting billions of lives at stake and suffer your judgment?

Is there any such thing as wrong for you?

Yes, I believe in wrong and right. I judge my actions based on God's law. Is it wrong for me to murder? Yes it is. Is it wrong for me to teach someone how to defend themselves and they commit murder? No, I am not their keeper. Since I am leaving, I will be incapable of causing any harm. But, what damage will you do with anything I have said?

17 January 2001 11:29

In the future, sociologists spend a great of time discussing the collective mentality before the war that led to the demise of "Homo Materia". Many of them point to an experiment that was done in the 1970's or 1980's. The experiment isolated various sizes of rat populations in varying cage sizes with varying food and cleaning schedules. It was discovered that no matter what, there was a certain ratio of rats to space that once overtaken by population would always lead to aggressive and destructive behavior in the rats until enough of them had died or been killed to get back under the ratio. This was true even when the rats that were given plenty of food and had their cage cleaned every day.

Besides the occasional school or office shooting and violent video game, I can't help but think about that experiment every time I see someone stranded on the highway or walking on the side of the road carrying an empty gas can. I ask my parents why we don't stop and help and they tell me they are afraid of being attacked and of the possible consequences of helping someone they don't know. I would respond by pointing out that it's our duty to help someone, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because we can never know that person's true worth and the risk of losing then is too great.

I didn't fully understand their stubbornness until I saw a news story about a doctor who was sued for applying emergency first aid to an accident victim who died. I believe your society is biologically geared for self-destruction. However, I feel strongly that does not excuse me from my responsibilities as a temporary member of this community.

Although (name of poster on forum) is a bit quirky and eccentric, he does belong to us. He's this community's quirky and eccentric guy and although he can be aggravating, I can't help but feel protective of him. As I'm sure most of us believe, under all of his postings, he has some interesting things to say.

When I first read one of his postings, I first shook my head and then I began to question my own understanding of not only the English language but of the real meaning of the odd things he brings up. If it's done on purpose, it's quite effective.

26 January 2001 15:11

After trying to post a couple of times and seeing the number of postings increase but not the pages, I assume it is limited to 11 pages. Any thoughts?

26 January 2001 18:46

Greetings everyone. I've been away for a while so I apologize for not getting back to these questions sooner. Since (personal name from forum) brought up a few things I had addressed in the mysterious mail that never made it to the board, I will post it here. The others are responses from other questions.

Why are you so interested in the Constitution?

After the war, the United States had split into five separate regions based on the various factors and military objectives they each had. There was a great deal of anger directed toward the Federal government and a revival of states rights was becoming paramount. However, in their attempt to create an economic form of government, the political and military leaders at the time decided to hold one last Constitutional Congress in order to present a psychological cohesion from the old system.

During this Congress, the leaders discovered and decided that coming up with a new and better form of government was nearly impossible. The original Constitution itself was not the problem it was the ignorance of the people that lived under it.

Don't you like your "new" Constitution?

From my viewpoint, it's very effective. I am a very strong believer in local or state's rights.

When are you leaving to go home?

There are certain windows I must wait for in order to leave. There will be two this year. The first one opens this spring.

Is it possible for you to return to this time line once you leave?

Not with the machine I have now.

If we all had time machines, would we end up destroying the rest of the local worldlines?

Since everything is already happening and possible on different worldlines, the answer is yes, and no.

You appear to be a Libertarian who stresses the need for mankind to get back to basics. You also seem to be a gun rights activist.

I suppose from your vantage point that's a fair assessment. I would call myself more of a centrist. Although I understand the "gun rights" issue here, I cannot relate to it all and it is a common point of argument with my mother.

I keep saying her tune will change in about ten years and she'll be cleaning shotguns in her sleep but it doesn't help. If it makes you feel any better, I never shot anyone who wasn't trying to kill me.

Since we're not as smart as you, can you help us solve the technical problems of time travel?

When you say "us", what do you mean? Do you mean "you"? Where would you go if you had my machine? How do you think the rest of the world would react to the U.S. having a time machine and they didn't?

You stated you went back in time from 2036 to 1975 with a near 2 percent divergence. You also said that a zero divergence is a myth or technologically improbable.

Yes, a "ZD" is thought to be impossible. However, consider that an exact entry point "may" not be necessary to get home. The important factor is the path, not the destination. Under multiple world theory, there are an infinite number of "homes" that I could return to that don't have me there. The divergence for that window is somewhere near .0002377%.

Please correct me if I don't understand. Are parallel universes created by events in our own worldline?

Parallel universes exist independently of each other and only interact to avoid the collapse of the wave function for any given particle or event that you are looking at.

I like to imagine it as a series of parallel lines crossed by a wavy wave. Each point on the wavy line where a straight line crosses it represents an alternate outcome. The multiple "yous" on each worldline record a different result for the activity of the particle.

Multiple World theory and parallel universes have never been proven. It only exists as a way to explain various findings in quantum mechanics. Just because people talk about it doesn't mean it's real.

I agree with you that an explanation doesn't make it so. However you can build a model to describe physical behavior. Even if the model is not complete, its "truth" can be measured by how well it predicts the behavior it describes.

Where did multiverse come from as a theory? Where is the evidence of its existence?

I believe the closest non-related evidence for multiple universes right now comes from the physics (derived from special relativity) of rotating (Kerr) black holes. If you examine a typical Penrose map, science agrees that you can travel to "other universes" through these cosmic oddities. They can't be different places in your own universe (worldline) because you would have to violate the speed of light limit to get there.

Since the existence of multiple universes is a reality from my viewpoint, please allow me to disclose an idea we toss around a bit in 2036. Since all possibilities, outcomes and events are occurring and exist simultaneously; it would mean there are multiple universes out there where "you" are living a day behind and a day ahead of the "you" on this universe.

There are some who believe that memory is some sort of information transfer or communication with the "yous" in the past, across worldlines or universes. Although this is seemingly quite ridiculous, if you think that could be true, than physics tells us that the same information transfer from our future selves on other worldlines is not only possible but certain. Could it be that fantasy or "what if" scenarios are actually future memory from an alternate "us" on a future worldline?

According to physics, there is no reason why this cannot be true.

26 January 2001 18:51

I now see it plainly states the topics are limited to 11 pages. I guess this only proves I'm not the brightest singularity in multidimensional space-time.

26 January 2001 21:21

Your mission to go back in time seems rather pointless since you stated earlier there is no way to get back to your exact starting point.

The reality of infinite possibilities is rather difficult to get a grip on and if it were not for the math, I would delegate it to the realm of religion. I like to think of it as standing in a room with mirrors on all the walls. I can look to my right and left and see many "mes" all doing exactly the same thing. If we all took a step to our right and passed through a dimensional doorway to the next mirrored room, it would be very difficult to tell if anything had changed. In that sense, there are an infinite number of worldlines waiting for me to return with the computer. If I can get to one of them, I have completed my mission.

It would seem then that another time traveler that looks like you could arrive on your worldline of origin with another IBM computer and no one would know the difference.

Bingo!! Seems like something they would do a lot of psychological testing for before they sent us off.

26 January 2001 21:28

Where does it say it is limited to 11 pages?

I was just trying to be clever. However, I am still unable to see any postings past 412. Can everyone else see them?

John Titor

01-27-2001 12:45 PM

Greetings. I am a time traveler from the year 2036. I am on my way home after getting an IBM 5100 computer system from the year 1975. My "time" machine is a stationary mass, temporal displacement unit manufactured by General Electric. The unit is powered by two, top-spin, dual-positive singularities that produce a standard, off-set Tipler sinusoid. I will be happy to post pictures of the unit. I have been communicating online with others who are interested in time travel.

28 January 2001 09:45

And you never showed us a picture of your uniform.

Actually, there are numerous places I have posted pictures. I believe the links are still on the board.

Why haven't you commented on not caring about your original worldline?

I'm not sure what you're asking. I think those statements speak for themselves and your interpretation of them may be, unique.

28 January 2001 12:22

One of the reasons I like this board so much is that the questions are more thought out, the people seem to be a bit smarter than normal and I'm not continually bombarded with questions about stock tips. I will admit that on a conceptual level, you are picking it up much faster than I did.

If you leave your worldline, some of your friends and family members will never see you again. That seems like a very immoral thing to do.

I'm not sure why you think it would be immoral. Don't soldiers today go on duties they may not return from?

It depends on how you define what the real "me" is. If you consider the mirror example again, as all of the "mes" step one room to the right, the family and friends in that room (and the time traveler for that matter) would not be able to tell the difference.

The probability of us noticing a difference is based on the divergence of the trip. If all events and outcomes are certain, there are worldlines where I do return for every worldline I don't return to. All the "moral" events would then balance out to zero. Again, it's hard to judge good and bad outcomes, only good and bad decisions.

What's the point of fixing something in one worldline if there's an infinite number of worldlines where a problem doesn't exist?

Our actions and decisions are based on the knowledge we have in our own worldline. Yes, the bell shaped curve is a useful tool but if we are capable of change for the better than we feel we should at least try. Even if "I" don't return to my exact worldline, a similar "me" probably will. Besides, I just look at it as helping a worldline where their time traveling me didn't show up but I did.

Earlier you said the people on your worldline would only experience your being away for a split second. How can this be true if you'll never return to that worldline?

Again, I refer to the mirror example.

It seems impossible that another you would return to the worldline you originally came from.

I'm not sure I said another time traveler "will" return, I think I said they "could" return. The location/gravity "map" I have of my path getting here could be duplicated with a fairly high degree of accuracy. It's just that my machine was not designed to do that.

I think it's a mistake to rely on the concept of the impossible when dealing with the reality of multiple worlds. Keep in mind there are an infinite number of "yous" on infinite worldlines having completely different experiences with "me".

You stated that returning to your worldline of origin is thought to be impossible.

My "exact" ZD worldline that is.

01-28-2001 06:35 AM

My initial flight was from 2036 to 1975 (61 yrs). I then went from 1975 to 2000 (25 yrs.) Later this year, one of two favorable windows will open and I will return to my 2036 (35 yrs.) I am here now for personal reasons. The web page is not mine. I have been speaking online for about three months and the page is a collection of the various documents and pictures I have sent to other individuals.

Also, I realize there is no way for anyone to believe me with absolute certainty so I hope I'm at least entertaining. You may be interested to know that even in 2036, there are a large number of people who don't believe in time travel. Are you sure the world is round?

01-29-2001 07:47 AM

Please keep in mind the web site is not mine and I apologize for the poor quality of the files. The photo you saw was taken by me with a Polaroid camera manufactured here. The other documents were duplicated by placing a book onto a copy machine at a packaging and shipping store and then scanning and saving them.

As for the printing technology in 2036, you may be surprised at how many people use typewriters however I agree the documents were probably not created that way. I too am very anxious to hear your thoughts and questions on time travel / gravity displacement and any comments on the Everett Wheeler Graham model.

01-29-2001 03:48 PM

Although the documents posted were printed from a computer printer, is it really that hard to believe that manual typing is just a bit more common in thirty years? After the war, many things like manual printing machines, bicycles, sailboats and hand tools were valued a great deal. I have noticed more people in California are installing wood burning stoves. I realize my claims are a bit ridiculous but my intent is not really to be believed.

However, if I had an opportunity to talk to a time traveler, I might ask questions like: How exactly does the singularity sensor measure the expansion of the inner event horizon or why does the reality of multiple worlds support the religious dogma that there are no good or bad people just good and bad decisions or what were the political motivations that changed the U.S. Constitution? In my experience, when it becomes necessary to convince someone what I do for a living the only way to do that is to be related to them.

Everything else is immediately written off as a parlor trick, even if they're standing in front of a cooling distortion unit and I show them a dollar bill with the year 2029 on it. In the last few months, I have had numerous extended conversations online and there are quite a few things I've said which can easily be checked out but haven't. I get no pleasure out of being right when it comes to CJD disease, war in the Middle East or suffering people in far away lands.

There's nothing like the look on someone's face when you tell them 100,000 people will be dead tomorrow. In my travels, I have discovered that most people really don't want to know about the future because if its different than what they want it ticks them off. Actually, I don't blame them. The means by which I travel in time is very physical. I require a "machine" to do it. It weighs about 500 pounds and gets quite hot. I do not own it and I did not build it. Within limits, I will be happy to discuss how it works and how "future" science thinks time works. No we have not completed string theory yet but (N-10) seems to work pretty well.

As far as the future goes, your worldline is about 2.5% different than mine. This is a roughly cumulative measurement based on my arrival in 1975. As far as I can tell right now, you are headed toward the same events I would call "my history" in 2036. However, the very nature of time travel states that every worldline is unique and you are very much in control of what you do and how you get there. Heck, the fact that I'm here makes it different from mine. I have nothing to sell, and there is nothing I want anyone to do.

For all other time travelers out there, I have no tests for you and I would enjoy discussing your feelings and experiences after the war. To everyone else, while I'm here, I am very interested in your philosophy, religious outlooks and speculations on technology.

29 January 2001 12:25

Are the Olympics still being played in the future?

As a result of the many conflicts, no, there were no official Olympics after 2004. However, it appears they may be revived in 2040.

Why wouldn't it be possible to use that recording to go back to your original starting point without any divergence at all?

Perhaps it's better to say it's so highly improbable as to be considered impossible. A good example is the concept of trying to get closer to something by cutting the distance in half for every step you take. Since the computer is basically making calculations from an imperfect model of reality, there are no absolutes. I also believe there is a theory that states you would have to violate the speed of light limit to have a perfect ZD.

Why are there only two windows of opportunity for you to go back? Does this have anything to do with the weather?

The weather isn't a factor as much as gravitational tidal forces are at the point of arrival.

I disapprove of war because I think it's immoral. What do you think?

I disapprove of murder. Man as a species is incapable of changing his nature through will alone and war is a tool of biology. The ability for war sleeps in each one of us and we must decide what we will do before the beast awakens. As for morality, again I point to the "universal" balance of good and evil. For every worldline where there is peace, there is a worldline that has destroyed itself.

What's the use of bringing back the computer to a slightly different worldline since you know there are just as many worldlines in which no-one returns to bring back computer?

The decisions and actions we take as individuals can only help those who we have direct interaction with. I believe it is wrong to be capable of helping and do nothing. My struggle is in the irony that if everyone just "did nothing", on every worldline, there would be no action and thus no immorality or evil (no good either).

I'm very interested in your comments on the greed of humanity. You're unique perspective of humanity at this point (2001 and 2036) is valuable.

Please feel free to ask anything you like.

Can you record a voice message for us before you leave?

Yes. I am considering trying to videotape my departure and having my parents post it after I leave. That should keep you all busy for a while.

What sort of future do you imagine after 2036? Will we colonize the solar system?

Keep in mind that not all humans were destroyed but we were all affected. There is an effort going into colonizing space because it is believed that the problems of overpopulation were a large cause of the war. Personally, my generation sees itself as having a duty to try and repair the mess our fathers handed to us. When we were young, most of us had a small taste of the world you live in now and our only dream is to clean it up and give it back to those still able to have children.

01-30-2001 06:21 AM

Sometimes I imagine what it would be like to approach the Wright Brothers in 1910, before their first flight, and make the suggestion that in a mere thirty years, man would be on the brink of flying through the air at the speed of sound. What tools would I be able to show them that would convince them? Would a picture of a jet airplane do it? Would complicated math and physics equations do it? Would it take a ride?

Perhaps there will be a way to share the photos again but I don't expect it would convince anyone. I would only hope they would spark conversation and make the reality of time travel a little more personal. Although I have no personal experience with non-mechanical time travel, I cannot discount it.

Physics has a way of making the impossible a reality. I'm not here to study anyone. My objective was in 1975 and the reason I'm here now is my family. I find my preconceptions of what I would encounter interesting. Being exposed to a society through its art, music and advertising is one thing and experiencing it is another. I'm not sure the physics of time travel is really that hard to grasp.

Most of the working theory has been around on a large scale since 1970 and the technical breakthroughs are happening on your worldline right now. Technology is not gone in 2036 nor is it the private domain of "government" leaders. Computer printers just didn't work very well on 12 volts and many people just got used to doing things the old way. After the war, the main problem was distribution. Can anyone tell me how many companies in the United States still manufacture bicycle tires today?

Anyone who still has a bike in 2008 will find out.

01-31-2001 02:14 AM

I'm not aware of any predictions I made or perhaps we do not agree on the definition. What anyone chooses to do based on something I might say will not affect me in the least. My goal is not to believed and I submit that your life would not be any better (and perhaps worse) if you did believe me. You placed "tests" before me that I must pass. Why? What do I have to gain by passing them? The fact is there is nothing I can say or show you or let you drop hydrochloric acid on that will "make" you believe me and I really don't want that.

It would be nice to discuss your view on religion, politics, physics and the mechanical requirements of time travel but in order to engage in those types of conversations, I must apparently tell you who wins the hockey game next week. I'm just guessing that if were to write out the ten lines for Fermat's final proof you wouldn't be very impressed either.

Industrialized mass production does not produce the uncountable tonnage of useless consumer items so gleefully absorbed by your society. I would estimate there are about 10 units like mine (C204) and twenty larger units (C206). The main difference is the sensitivity and number of the main Cesium clocks. I would estimate that some sort of public time travel will be common around 2045.

I'm not aware of any other time traveler's "here" now. But if they are here, I'm sure they're pouring over sports history books so they can go back in time another week and start a friendly conversation on the web.

The "Mad Cow" story here is yet to begin but don't worry, the fruited gelatin deserts are safe.

I'm glad to see it's so easy for to dismiss the Middle East. Yes, I suppose it is a no brainer but pretty soon it will be a "no arrmer" and a "no legger". Ethics is an excellent topic of discussion and I hope we can move past a collective insistence of applying everything to this frame of reference.

01-31-2001 03:41 PM

The distortion unit reaches its target destination by using very sensitive gravity sensors and atomic clocks. The basic unit of calculation is the second. So yes, in a sense you do "dial in" in a date and the computer system controls the distortion field. At maximum power, the unit I have is capable of traveling about 10 years an hour. Unfortunately, time travel is not an exact science. There is inherent error and chaos in the computers ability to make accurate calculations. Based on the current technology of the clocks and sensors, distortion units are only accurate to about 60 years or so.

So no, in 2036, we are unable to travel back 1000 years due to the error rate in the system. The divergence between the worldline of origin and the target worldline would be too great. If one were to try and travel back that far, history would look nothing like what you would expect. The unit has mass limits but the 204 is capable of transporting about three people and equipment. I don't think you would like 2036 very much. The 5100 had a very simple and unique feature that IBM did not account for and decided it was not in their best interest to advertise (which in hindsight was not very smart). This accidental feature was thus removed from any future desktop computers.

In order to take advantage of this feature, the 5100 I have now required a couple of special "tweaks" that had to be done by one of the software engineers in 1975. Anyone who is familiar with this feature and was told to keep their mouth shut about it will be able to tell you what it is. Yes we still have toilet tissue and some people still suffer from extreme anal fixation. I have noticed and gotten used to the act of verbal conflict as a cathartic entertainment. I don't totally understand it but I take no offense by it either. Perhaps we could just arm wrestle some day and still be able to have a pleasant conversation.

The year 2008 was a general date by which time everyone will realize the world they thought they were living in was over. The civil war in the United States will start in 2004. I would describe it as having a Waco type event every month that steadily gets worse. The conflict will consume everyone in the US by 2012 and end in 2015 with a very short WWIII. The source of power for the C204 that allows it to distort and manipulate gravity comes from two microsingularities that were created, captured and cleaned at a much larger and "circular" facility. The dual event horizons of each one and their mass is manipulated by injecting electrons onto the surface of their respective ergospheres.

The electricity comes from batteries. The breakthrough that will allow for this technology will occur within a year or so when CERN brings their larger facility online. Perhaps it would have been clearer to state that the math has been around since 1970. I would urge you to examine the properties of Kerr black holes and Tipler cylinders. An actual working prototype was first tested in 2034. On my worldline, time travel is not a public recreation but we are all aware that it exists.

You may be disappointed to know that the ability to manipulate gravity is not the technical challenge that had to be overcome. Miniaturizing the clocks and sensors, creating clever ways to vent x-rays and creating a computer system dependable enough to calculate the changes required to the field were the main challenges.

There are no missing pieces, just missing energy levels and a few very interesting subatomic particles.

02-01-2001 08:36 AM

Unfortunately, winners of historical sports betting events are not high on the priority list of people in 2036. As a thought experiment, if I did tell you who the winning horse was and you killed it before the final race, would that make me a liar or would it support my statement that our worldlines are about 2% different? Do you know who won that race 30 years ago?

02-01-2001 11:28 AM

If you could change one thing about your government right now, what would it be?

The United States is still a representative republic in 2036 but it was touch and go for a while. After the war, the U.S. had divided into 5 general areas based on their economic and defensive strengths. Many people blamed the government organization for the war and the last Constitutional Congress was held in 2020 to officially scrap the Constitution and start over. Fortunately, this exercise in anger pointed out how hard it was to come up with anything better. It was decided the document wasn't at fault. As a result, there have been a few small changes to the Constitution and the executive branch but you would easily recognize it. The average citizen is more educated about the Constitution and aware of the rights and responsibilities it gives them. Federal power has been decentralized and the focus of daily politics is in the state senates. Federal law has also been streamlined but much harder to change or make additions to.

The people who sign my paycheck told me why we needed a 5100 and sent me off to get one. I was not in a position to make alternate suggestions. As I recall, isn't the Cray a rather large system? We need something portable. The 5100 isn't required for its reliability, its needed to translate between APL, UNIX and a few obscure IBM mainframe languages.

The fishing is great and you're more than welcome to join us but the "me" here is only three. I'll have to tell him your coming.

02-02-2001

Yes, I age and my hair and nails grow at normal rates. Please keep in mind that gravity distortion does involve some dilation effects but "jumping" between worldlines are time-like trips, not space-like trips.

The air is about the same although I do smell and taste industrial odors here my parents cannot. The food in the future is grown and raised naturally inside the community structure. This is done primarily for safety reasons. I am amazed at the risks people here are willing to take with processed food. All of the food I eat here is grown and prepared by my family or myself.

Unfortunately, I do not know if we are acquainted on my worldline. Yes, love is a challenge. What's harder is knowing you could go back and correct a mistake but at the cost of the "you" on that worldline.

The questions about the president and space travel are reasonable but now we come to a conflict between physics and ethics. First, the ethics:

I have seen a television program about a man who is able to speak with the dead. When I watch the show, I am more afraid about the possibility that what he is doing is real not weather or not he is doing it. Since I will be leaving this worldline in the coming year, I could easily tell you that the President lives or dies in the next four years. In fact, I could probably find some way to even charge you for it.

When the day comes for my "prediction" to be realized it will either happen or not. If it does happen, then your ability to judge your environment is crippled by your acceptance of me as a "knower of all things" and gifted with the ability to tell the future. If I am wrong, then everything I have said that might possibly have made you think about your world in a different way is suddenly discredited. I do not want either.

Although I do have personal reasons for being here and speaking with you, the most I could hope for is that you recognize the possibility of time travel as a reality. You are able to change your worldline for better or worse just as I am. Although this will make me a far less interesting time traveler, these are the rules I personally try to hold to:

I will not disclose any information that will cause someone to personally gain by its knowledge. This means no stock or sports tips.

I will not disclose any detailed information that would allow someone to avoid death by probability. This means no earthquake or bomb information.
I will not disclose any information that may compromise any future actions by individual people or threaten their family and well-being. I will not disclose names or events associated with individuals.

Now for the physics: The grandfather paradox is impossible. In fact, all paradox is impossible. The Everett-Wheeler-Graham or multiple world theory is correct. All possible quantum states, events, possibilities and outcomes are real, eventual and occurring. The chances of everything happening someplace at sometime in the superverse is 100%. (For all you scientists out there, if Schrödinger's cat had a time machine, he might not be in the box at all.)

Therefore, there is a worldline where you are alive and another where you have gone back in time to kill your relative.

Differences between worldlines are measured from the perspective of the time traveler in terms of divergence percentage. The higher the divergence, the more "un-like" your destination worldline looks like compared to your worldline of origin.

Therefore, any "prediction" I might make has a slight chance of being incorrect anyway and you now have the ability to act on it based on what I've said. Can you stop the war before it gets here? Sure. Will you do it? Probably not.

As far as space travel goes, no, we are not on Mars yet but we're trying very hard so we can avoid another "Hell's Kitchen" outcome from an overpopulated Earth

02-02-2001 10:09 AM

Perhaps it would be better if you just considered me a fraud. I really don't have a problem with that. If that were the case, could we then have discussions that you were comfortable with?

If I knew someone was going to die, and there was a chance I could stop it, I have a moral obligation to do something about it.

I can think of a couple of examples.

If the Egyptians knew the Red Sea was going to drown them, do you think they would have pursued Moses?

If you could go back in time to 1941 and tell the radar operators to take a second look at the radar screen on December 7th, would you? Before you say yes and accept that parade in your honor down Main Street, perhaps you should go forward in time and see if the U.S still had the motivation to make the A-bomb before Hitler did.

02-02-2001 10:53 AM

I fail to understand why my words generate so much conflict. I think it's far better for you to consider what I say as fantasy so there is no question of credibility. How is my credibility going to affect your life? I don't want you to believe me and it doesn't affect me in the least if you did.

I don't know any other way to tell you that I am unaware of what happens in the next week, especially in Hollywood.

Just curious, that's a common question, why do you think I would know something about that?

Yes, it's very possible that what I say would spin your future off into a different direction. But since what I say is "bogus" that shouldn't be a problem.

On a philosophical level, the existence of multiple worlds implies a moral balance in the superverse. For every worldline you perform a good action, there is a worldline where you perform a bad action. There are no good and bad people, just good and bad decisions. We can only be responsible for what we do as individuals on the worldline we are on now.

So take heart! Somewhere out there is a worldline where I'm spilling all the beans on Hockey, the stock market and Hollywood and you're all off to Vegas and Wall Street making millions of dollars.

I do very much enjoy these conversations and I'm working on the other questions.

02-02-2001 11:41 AM

As far as the war goes, my best advice is to find at least 5 people within 100 miles of you that you trust with your life.

No, I haven't met any other time travelers here and although from my perspective that's highly unlikely, it's not impossible. No, I don't have any additional information concerning crop circles, ETs or UFOs. I find those subjects rather interesting myself and it's one of the reasons I was drawn to this web site.

Can you give us some personal stories of your past?

I was born in 1998 so I do share some childhood memories with all of you. I remember going to Disney World at Christmas and I remember going to the beach in Daytona. When the civil "conflict" started and got worse, people generally decided to either stay in the cities and lose most of their civil rights under the guise of security or leave the cities for more isolated and rural areas. Our home was searched once and the neighbor across the street was arrested for some unknown reason. That convinced my father to leave the city.

From the age of 8 to 12, we lived away from the cities and spent most of our time in a farm community with other families avoiding conflict with the federal police and National Guard. By that time, it was pretty clear that we were not going back to what we had and the division between the "cities" and the "country" was well defined. My father made a living by putting together 12-volt electrical systems and sailing "commodities" up and down the coast of Florida. I spent most of my time helping him.

Outright open fighting was common by then and I joined a shotgun infantry unit in 2011. I served with the "Fighting Diamondbacks" for about 4 years. (Hearing in my right ear isn't as good as I would like it). The civil war ended in 2015 when Russia attacked the U.S. cities (our enemy), China and Europe. As unusual and bad as my childhood might seem, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Africa is not a pleasant place to be in 2036 although I would characterize it as recovering.

The music you enjoy now is quite popular and available it's just not produced in anywhere near the same amount. There is a revival of "local" and classical music. Many people have learned to play their own. I personally enjoy Big Band, some Classical and interesting lyrical pieces from the 1970s and 1980s.

If time travel is possible, what does that do to the religious? If I exist on many time lines, which one is really me?

This is an excellent question that causes a great deal of controversy. Since every possible outcome, event and possibility is happening and will happen, then all good and all evil balances out in the superverse.

After the reality of multiple worlds sank into our collective thought, the one basic change to all religious dogma is the concept that good and evil does not exist as an organized force in our lives nor can it be used as a useful way to judge what God may think of a situation.

Good and evil are personal experiences that can only guide what we do as individuals and how we relate to others. This outlook also makes it impossible for me to judge any other person or event. We cannot see the entire universe as God sees it therefore we will never be Gods or be capable of judging anything outside of ourselves. My actions can only be judged as good and bad by me and my God.

There is also an area of thought that maintains all of the "yous" out there will make up the "you" that eventually returns to God. In that manner, it is frustrating to know that you are capable of and acting on all of the thoughts and ideas you have regardless of what the "you" here is doing. How good or evil do you think you can be?

There is even an idea (supported in physics apparently but I have a hard time with this one) that there is some sort of communication going on between all of the "yous" that are out there. Some people think that memories, intuition and conscious are actually attempts by one version of "you" to talk to another.

Yes, we still have football and you will easily recognize it in 2036.

I am posting here because I enjoy talking with people without having to hide who I am, it's safe for me and my family and I can gather historical information from you and the web.

Yes, I have superiors. However, from their perspective, I will only have been gone a split second. The only real risk I am taking is spending too long outside my main line and risking a probability error (dying, accident, etc.). Based on the physics of gravity displacement, I can't leave when I ever I want anyway and I do have some leeway into how I conduct my mission.

It is impossible for me to change any worldline that I am not on. Nothing I do here will affect my home. The "60 year flux" is a limitation of my machine, not of physics. Jet planes can't fly into space, my machine is not reliable past a 60 + year destination.

You've been to Cedar Key?

You must be aware I don't know any personal information about you. If I was going to guess, I would say it's important to avoid the rattlesnake or you might be "walking" back to shore. You may be happy to know that although the bridge is gone, Cedar Key is still there.

The computer is from 1975, Rochester MN.

Yes, the Pearl Harbor example relates to Y2K. Have you considered that I might already have accidentally screwed up your worldline?

Potential Hazard of being a Time Traveler - Always putting things off until you can "get back" to doing them.

What's even worse is having the ability to go back and help the "you" there and you won't listen to yourself.

02-05-2001 11:28 AM

Yes, there is a log and my report and debriefing will agree with it. I have no reason to lie about where I am and why I'm here.

There are no crimes against time. However, if I were to go on some sort of a murder spree and I admitted it when I returned, then I would be held responsible for the crime of murder.

I am no more able to affect your worldline than you are. Yes, I could make the changes you suggested but you must remember that there are an infinite number of worldlines out there where I didn't and I don't. In fact, there's even a worldline out there where you're the time traveler and I'm the one writing the question.

I think the war would be good for you and your society. I don't want to stop it.

Nothing I do here will affect any other worldline. "My" original worldline will always be the same and yes I can make changes here that would make this worldline different from mine but so can you.

02-05-2001 02:09 PM

ATTENTION!

The following is a secret message for all mindless robot slaves controlled by time travelers. If you are unable to read this, please disregard it. This is an emergency, can someone do me a favor and look up everything they can find on Maxwell's equations, relativity and the formulas for volts and amps. I left all my physics books back in the time machine. Remember, just because I control your mind doesn't mean I think you're an idiot. MESSAGE OVER.

Yes, there are significant advances in computer science. It's interesting how easy it is to be fixated on the "machine" itself without any curiosity about many of the support systems. This is not really big news but if / then is out and if /then /maybe is in.

Yes I am with the "me" on this worldline and he is three now. I find that fact to be rather hard for people to get along with so I don't bring it up directly. This is the second time I have "met myself".

The "machine" is owned by the military. I am part of a unit stationed in Tampa Florida. The real energy is in creating the machine, not operating it. It's interesting you should bring up the divergence percentage. You may find it entertainingly interesting to know that the divergence can be more accurate with more sensitive gravity sensors and clocks.

The C206 uses 6 Cesium clocks and an active method of timing the changes in the atom.

02-06-2001 06:35 AM

We time travel to solve problems. A great deal of effort is going into repairing the environment and infrastructure.

I think there is only one God. I also think that our soul may be a combination of all the collective thoughts and actions of the infinite "yous". If that is true, it becomes very difficult to define death until all worldlines come to an end.

Who wins the (sporting event) for the next 20 years?
I don't know. Even if I did, you could stop the horse(s) anyway and make it untrue.

Who will be elected president for the next 20 years?

Please see number 2.

Will there still be (popular motorcycle) around when you are born?

I was born in 1998.

Please tell me the price of gold for the last 20 years.

I don't understand the importance of this type of information. Please tell me your opinion why this is interesting and worth remembering for 30 years.

Will it still be lawful for me to own handguns? I thought owning a handgun was legal in the United States?

Yes, being familiar with firearms (along with the other responsibilities of the Constitution) becomes an important part of people's lives in thirty years.

Is it possible for you to bump into yourself when you are time traveling?

Yes that is possible and there are no limitations on interacting with them. I find it interesting that there is some sort of collective negativity with the idea of doing that. Could it be that we are not really that comfortable with ourselves and therefore we cannot imagine meeting, liking or helping another one of us on another worldline?

Can I go with you on your journeys through time? Anybody else want to go?
I could probably manage three people with me. However, I would have to dump a great deal of archival material to get you in. I'm not sure you would like 2036 very much.

02-06-2001 08:33 AM

Russia and China have always had a very strange relationship. Even the news I see now indicates that continued weapons deals to allies, border clashes and overpopulation will lead to hostilities. The West will become very unstable which gives China the confidence to "expand". I'm assuming you are all aware that China has millions of male soldiers right now that they know will never be able to find wives. The attack on Europe is in response to a unified European army that masses and moves East from Germany. Also, please be aware that from my viewpoint, Russia attacked my enemy who was in the U.S. cities. Yes, the U.S. did counter attack.

Based on what I know about the 5100 (IBM computer), it has a few very interesting and worthwhile properties that make it worthwhile for a time traveler to recover. Also, please keep in mind that civilization is recovering from a war. Yes, we do have the technology but many of the tools were lost.

As you are probably aware, UNIX will have a timeout error in 2038 and many of the mainframe systems that ran a large part of the infrastructure were based on very old IBM computer code. The 5100 has the ability to easily translate between the old IBM code, APL, BASIC and (with a few tweaks in 1975) UNIX. This may seem insignificant but the fact that the 5100 is portable means I can easily take it back to 2036. I do expect they will create some sort of emulation system to use in multiple locations.

When I arrived, I approached my father and was easily able to prove to him who I was. I am currently with my parents and the "me" who is three. They are very aware of what I am doing, why I am here and when I will be leaving. It may interest you to know that my father still does not truly believe the machine works even after touching and seeing it. Yes, education is still taught in a classroom but the entire focus and system looks nothing like what you have now. Don't worry, you won't miss it.

I still don't buy your story.

I understand your viewpoint and I respect it. However, I am confused by a twist in the way the language is used. Another fellow who posted earlier was a bit upset over what I was saying because he thought I was soon going to ask for money by selling something. Since I don't have anything to sell I am curious why, "I…don't buy your story", is the natural way to say what you did. I am aware that it's off the cuff to say but wouldn't it be better to say I don't believe your story? Why is the other way so common?

02-08-2001 09:40

I would characterize world politics as two boxers who have just gone multiple rounds and they're both pretty beat up. I'm sure someone out there wants to kill us but no one is very organized yet. There is a great deal of fear over rogue groups coming across un-launched missile systems, 55-gallon drums of Anthrax or portable nuclear weapons.

Korea United?
I guess you could say that. Taiwan, Japan and Korea were all "forcefully annexed" before N Day. I don't remember a great deal about media coverage during the civil conflicts. I would probably characterize it the same way you see coverage of Waco, Ruby Ridge and Elian Gonzalez.

From my viewpoint, yes, this is an alternate timeline. From your viewpoint, no.
I have thought again about how to revel information that would make me more believable but I always come across the following problems:

All of you become much less interesting as sheep. I can't talk to you if you're not skeptical.

Anything I say could be acted on beforehand and changed anyway.

All the really interesting information is months or years away and I'd be gone when it happens.
I find it morally wrong to assist someone with anything where they might gain and someone else would lose or die.

There's a slim chance your worldline is just different enough my "prediction" won't happen.
I simply don't know.

Consider that you are a time traveler who goes back in time to the first week of February 1970 and you are confronted with the same problem. What do you remember right now about the second week of February 1970?
Naturally, the conflict in Vietnam and the Middle East come up but as someone has already stated here, "that's old news". I suppose I could predict the failure of Apollo 13 spacecraft but since time travel is ridiculous, I would be blamed for sabotage. I might even decide to tell you about an earthquake in Peru but then people that would have died by chance will now live and vice versa.

All I can think of is to make something up. So here goes: The space shuttle mission may or may not have a problem connecting the new lab to the space station.

How was that?

02-08-2001 01:18 PM

I enjoy the conversation and I will respond. The "pattern" of exchange in the war will not be a surprise. Many people will

perish as a result of starvation and disease. I would also submit that you already know if you're safe or not. The trick is to not turn off your fear when you'll need it the most.

Australia is sort of interesting in what is unknown. After the war, they were not very cooperative or friendly (can't blame them really). It is known they did repulse a Chinese invasion and most of their cities were hit. They have a trading relationship with the U.S. but I would characterize them as reclusive and ticked off.

When people use phrases like "See what I mean", "You're not hearing what I'm saying" or "Something smells fishy", they are indicating the primary sense they use to process information about a situation. I find it interesting that my credibility and the phrases that describe it hinge on economic terms and whether or not I have something to sell. I don't. I also don't know how to clarify my position any better so I would suggest that if what I say angers you, it might be best to just consider it fiction. Soon you'll get bored and I will leave in a few months. Either way, it won't be an issue.

The "enemy" that was attacked by Russia in the U.S. was the forces of the government you live under right now.

I think you are just some guy who likes to mislead people.

I do not seek followers to mislead. I seek safety, animosity (did he mean anonymity) and good conversation.

To me it would seem obvious that we both have a very different perspective on what's important right now in 2001. I would think that's what makes our interaction interesting. Would I be anymore believable if I told you I had just stopped a horrible event and you won't hear about it because it didn't happen? Again, this is the second time it has come up and I am very curious. Why would you expect a time traveler to know or care about what happens in Hollywood or some individual companies profits? You seem to think I have tomorrow's paper in front of me. Is that what time travel means to you?

I never said I was a scientist. If this is about economics somehow and you hope to "buy" my story, then what do I gain by "selling" it?

You already know that cars are dangerous and planes crash. I'm very confident you are capable of killing yourselves without my intervention. Actually, my moral obligation has nothing to do with you, it's between me and God.

Deception? Exactly what standard do you use to measure the truth around you? I have seen other threads with amazing and potentially real experiences on them. Why am I more threatening?

I have no memory of meeting an older me as a three year old. The events between worldlines are isolated and nothing I do here will affect my worldline.

Yes, my parents are alive in 2036 but they have no experience with a time traveling "me" in their 2001 either.

02-08-2001 06:59 PM

For all of you interested in coming back with me to 2036, perhaps we should discuss the trip. Please be aware, the displacement unit moves through time, not space. First, we will be driving the current vehicle (Chevy truck) with the displacement unit in it to Tampa Florida. From there, we will go back to my arrival date on this worldline. Then we will have to drive to Minnesota, sell the current vehicle and get another one that would have been around in 1975.

We will then move the displacement unit (500 lbs or so) into the new vehicle and go back to 1975. Once in 1975, we'll drive back to Tampa and make the final hop to 2036. If you'd like to stay in 1975, you're welcome to do that. It can also get quite hot and stuffy during the trip and you'll be subjected to a 1.5 to 2 G force the entire time. You'll also need some sort of a re-breather system or oxygen supply.

I have found that many misunderstandings and arguments are based on the differences in understanding over a single word. Two different cultures can have a drastic impact on the meaning of words like "proof", "trust" and "credibility". My frustration is in understanding the use of the words. I am trying to follow the logic of all of the comments.

After reading the questions, I want to paint a picture that may help with the general theme of our collective experience in 2036. The war had very profound affects on people and how they relate to each other. As individuals, almost everyone in 2036 is very familiar with death. We all have stories of loved ones that have died from disease, war or acts of inhumanity.

Most of us have even taken part in dishing the same thing out to the other side. As a result, we have become far more compassionate to the ones we love but mush less forgiving to those who don't pull their weight. We are more accepting of other's differences in our community because we depend on them to survive. We are also more conservative with our resources and closer to God because for a period, life on Earth was Hell.

The other major difference is in the concept of good and evil. With multiple worlds come multiple decisions and outcomes. For every good act, there is an equal and possible bad act on another worldline. Taken to the extreme, this must mean that in God's eyes, there is no total good and total bad in the superverse. It balances itself out to infinity. I believe we are judged on the decisions we make as individuals and the good/evil I see on my worldline is an illusion that has no worth to God. My reaction to it is what's important to God.

Although this may seem rather heartless, it does allow me to see past the evil that people do and acknowledge the core of potential goodness inside them.

I am currently based in Tamp Florida in Hillsborough County.

Yes I am free but I have obligations as a citizen. Everyone is required to have basic military training and provide a period of time for community service. It is very much like a type of mandatory National Guard service + Peace Corps.

Yes civil liberties are more important. You will feel the same after having your house searched a couple of times.

We do not live in a racist society but definitely a prejudice one. Everyone carries their own water.

Our government looks very much like yours. It is a representative republic.

My definition of a patriot is anyone who defends the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Religion has become far less centralized. Extremes tend to bring you closer to God so I would characterize religion and spirituality as a much more of a personal institution.

I do not know what happens when we die. However, I don't think it will be easy. There may be some very difficult decisions we have to make when we die that we are totally unprepared for.

It's difficult to define the most predominant religion. Christianity has fragmented into many groups and people with different beliefs speak mush more openly with others who have different outlooks and opinions. I would imagine there are large groups of Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims but I have not come across them personally.

No, Jesus did not come back. At least not that I'm aware of. If or when Jesus returns, do you think he'll be a lamb or a lion?

No mission to Mars but we are working on it. There is a group working on the idea of gravity displacement to get into space but the calculations and error rate are very large obstacles to overcome.

We don't know what's on Mars yet.

We're not on the moon yet either. A great deal of technical effort is going into cleaning the planet up.

I'm not aware of any "mind control" devices being used on you now. However, there are a great many "non lethal" weapon systems in development that turn out to be quite lethal. Sometimes I watch your television programs that show SWAT teams using new non-lethal weapons. They usually start out with, "In the future, the army and police will fight its enemies with new weapons systems…" When they use the word "enemy", they're talking about YOU! You don't really think the Marines are going to jump out of helicopters overseas with sticky goop, pepper spray and seizure lights, do you?

I'm not familiar with the term Psionics. I'll look it up and see if we just have another word for it.

Yes, Europe is a mess.

Yes, I think the New World Order idea tried to establish itself. I would consider them the combination of the old U.S. federal system, Europe, Canada and Australia.

When you say "teleportation", I assume you mean public transportation. Yes, we have a basic high-speed system.

I don't know if the government created AIDS. I tend to think yes but controlling it escaped them as it mutated. You can't have conspiracy to limit the population with a disease without the cure.

Yes, homosexuals are in the army. You tend to look past the individual differences of people when their job is to protect your life.

Yes, there are "gay" people in 2036.

I am a white male.

Yes, there is an entertainment industry. Again, it is very decentralized. The technology to express yourself with video is so readily available that many people do it all by themselves or in small groups. Much of the distribution is over the web. I would compare it theater here.

I don't know what you mean by VR?

The average lifespan is about 60 but I expect that will improve as we get things cleaned up.

Yes, paper money is still widely used.

The 21st century has awhile to go but the most significant person in my opinion is the farmer-general who led us to victory.

Even for you, Tesla technology can be found in appliances, motors and generators. I would have to say we have come a long way on Tesla's foundation but we don't have electricity rays that cause earthquakes.

Getting back to my exact worldline of origin is impossible but it depends on how you define the correct worldline. I can get close enough so neither I nor anyone there would know the difference. It relates to the classic example of cutting a distance in half to reach it. You can always get closer but never there. It also has a lot do with neighboring universes on Penrose diagrams but that requires more math.

Yes, we have the death penalty. We also have public punishment.

The most common crime is theft.

I don't understand what you mean by "race mixing".

Cloning is not common. However, altering the sperm and egg cell are common. It is very difficult to have children in 2036 for environmental reasons.

It's hard to say what the exact racial make up of the U.S. is. I would say it's probably the same minus 130 million people or so.

No, there is no segregation.

The education system is very similar to yours but the organization and implementation is controlled on a community and county level.

Various communities also specialize in certain disciplines.

My comments on equal rights and "women's roles" could be quite lengthy and controversial. I wish to discuss that separately. However, women do fight in the military just as the men do but their role on the community level is very conservative.

Having children is such a serious issue in 2036 that birth control is almost unheard of. It is very difficult and precious to have and raise children. Again, this is an issue I will be happy to go into later.

Yes, there are same sex marriages but it's not very common. Again, people have lived through so much hardship that if what someone else is doing does not affect them or harm the community, it's not a big issue.

South America went relatively unharmed. However, there is still a great deal of internal conflict with conventional arms.

Yes, people use drugs that alter consciousness but they are not very common.

Yes, I know who the Beatles are. Old music and other entertainment is available on the web.

There is another Pope but I do not know his name.

I do believe that "you're" UNIX will also have a problem in 2038. I don't think that's a secret but maybe someone should put a 5100 aside for thirty years or so.

John

02-09-2001 02:02 PM

Waco, Ruby Ridge and Elian exist in your news archives. Telling you about impending plane crashes or other disasters (provided I could give you exact dates and times) may save lives at one point but cause cascading changes that take others at a later point.

I enjoy the posts because it's very hard to remain safe and have a conversation. I have often seen the classic question, "why don't time travelers revel themselves'? That's easy, if you believe us, you'll drug us into oblivion and put us in a small dark cell while men in white lab coats take a Phillips head screw driver to the magnetic lock on the singularity drive housing.

I will examine the web site you mentioned. I believe the 5100 is unique in its ability to run assembler language on the 360-machine platform and still be portable. I'm not sure if that fact was ever made public so it's the best "proof" I have. I would like to examine the software you mentioned; perhaps I can further justify my side-trip.

Yes, EMP took out a great number of electronic devices. That's one of the reasons why we don't have reliable technology laying around. However, in the opening hours of N Day, the Russians did not launch any high altitude detonations. They knew we would most likely clean up after them so they wanted everyone outside the cities to be able to communicate. Most of the warheads that hit the cities came in threes and exploded close to the ground. The heavy EMP damage was isolated to those areas.

Actually, you will probably be quite impressed with our Internet. It's based on a series of independent, self-powered nodes that are mobile and can be put up anywhere. It looks a great deal like your current cell phone system.

02-10-2001 09:49 AM

Thank you for the information. I will visit the site and I expect I will have some questions.

Yes, there are a great many people who think that Revelations has come to pass. However, the new fear is that Christ has returned, he's not telling us and he's very angry. I am not familiar with the Fatima Prophesies but I am aware of the term. I was not sent here to change anything. Since it would not affect my home anyway, it would be rather pointless. I am here because of my family and the interaction I had with them in 1975. I understand the question about the Antichrist but I must admit I hadn't given it much thought. My initial reaction is to consider how the Antichrist would affect my life if I could identify him/her. If your life became a sort of "Hell" anyway, would it matter if the Antichrist was real?

I became aware of this bulletin board through my various archiving work through the web. We do enjoy "talk programs" but they are distributed over the web. I don't have additional information about UFOs and I find the subject quite interesting myself. I have often wondered if they aren't time travelers with very sophisticated machines. Based on what I know about the nature of time I find this difficult to believe but nothing is impossible.

Yes, handmade items and the skills to make them are quite prevalent and people take a great deal of pride in their work. People with the skills to make clothing, work with leather and wood or cultivate a garden have become quite valuable. Please do not think your questions are unimportant. I enjoy the conversation.

Fiji? I've noticed that when most Americans think about Canada in this time, they think about pine trees, chooks and back-bacon. It may interest you to know that most Canadians in 2036 are some of the most efficient, ruthless and dangerous people I know. God help Quebec.

Within limits, I'm confident my anonymity is secure. The various email and web accounts I have do not have a big sign that says "Time Machine This Way". In order to be at risk I would have to be believed. In my experience, evil may be powerful, but they aren't very bright.

You couldn't even answer one simple question about music?

Unfortunately, your question is rather difficult for me. Any personal experience I might have with your worldline at a specific moment is limited to my viewpoint and age. I can't tell you what music is popular in the next few years because the "me" here is only three years old. In addition, how does someone decide what the most popular music trend is? It would seem rather subjective to me. Thinking about it now I sort of wonder what it would be like to be a teenager now and know the answer to that question. When I was thirteen I used to worry about which shotgun slug would take a door handle off and whether or not I had any dry socks. Current fallout estimates are accurate but a bit exaggerated.

Your example of what people would do based on something I might say is accurate. However, my concern would be the potential actions of a single person, not the masses. In 1963, if I suggested that someone should watch the book depository windows as the President went by, the actions of a single person might have a huge impact on history. You also asked if I've visited my "past" family. That's where I am now.

Once a micro-singularity is produced and placed in a magnetic field, what is the approximate strength of that field. How is the magnetic field produced? What would happen if that field failed?

These are excellent questions that I probably won't answer to your satisfaction but let me make a couple of points first. Although I am familiar with the general manufacture of the unit, I am not a physicist or a scientist. My background is in history and I had the correct profile to accomplish my given task in 1975. I doubt that most jet fighter pilots are aeronautical engineers and I'll bet most of you couldn't give me the formula for horsepower, yet you drive a car every day.

The second point I can illustrate with an interesting story. In the opening phases of WWI, one of the largest problems early fighter pilots had was how to shoot a machine gun through the propeller blades without chopping it to bits. The problem was very straightforward. When the engine was off, the blades took up only a small percentage of the total arch but with the engine on, there was seemingly no way to know when it was safe to shoot through them. This problem lasted for quite a while until a very smart person came up with a very simple solution. By using a small lobed cam on the propeller shaft that controlled a switch on the machine gun, it was possible to stop the gun from firing only when the cam turned off the switch at the point a bullet might hit the blade. It was so simple in fact the other side only caught on to the idea after one of the planes crashed and they were able to take it apart.

My point is; seemingly very complicated problems often have very simple and ingenious solutions using technology that is already available. The distortion unit is not magic and no alien technology was required to make it work. If you could see it, the "smarts" that went into designing it will amaze you more than the technology. Heck, the really interesting technology is in the computer.

The magnetic field does not require the fantastic energies you might imagine. The field is "created" and captures the singularity inside a very large and powerful specially designed particle accelerator. If the magnetic system failed (which has numerous backups including a system that would remove it from this worldline), the singularity would evaporate. Although it is smaller than an electron, it would still be quite undesirable.

Why do you keep telling us about the war? How do you know that will even happen in our worldline? Something may have already changed and it won't happen at all

Yes, you are correct! However, I am not confident things are different enough for you to avoid the conflict. You may also consider the possibility that a world with no war is far less desirable in the long run. In response to your other point, your assumptions about causality are correct but my personal morality still comes into play. I won't deviate from my three rules because of the way I would feel about myself.

The singularities do not create Tipler cylinders they create the same physical environment without all the mass. The same math works for both. There are two singularities. Their mass and spin is altered in order to adjust the size of the ergosphere and cause the event horizons to interact and create the gravity sinusoid. I have a basic home schooling education (k-12) and a bachelor's degree in history.

I will get to the remaining questions soon.

John

11 February 2001 18:43

Greetings everyone! I've missed you all too. As I'm sure (name from forum) can tell you, my email system is made up of quite a few addresses, locations and computers. Some of them work better than others and for a period of time, I have been unable (in my own way) to get to this site.

It appears I've come back at just the right moment. I see you're all asking yourselves questions about who I really am, what I want and why I'm here. Frankly, I really can't blame you but perhaps it's a bit easier now to understand why I not only didn't expect you to believe me and I didn't want you to. As far as my credibility, I thought we had reached some sort of happy medium and we could call each other friend.

I see however that may not be the case and I must admit I'm a bit disappointed. It seems that unless I follow your expectations of what a time traveler should be doing, thinking or feeling than I must be a fraud. Or is it just safer to keep telling yourself that?

I think it was a terrible idea for John to have told us anything about his story.

Where was this sentiment and concern for my safety as I was telling my "story"?

John was always telling us he has nothing to prove. Why come to a time travel forum and talk at all then?

Is it really that hard to believe that plain old human interaction has it's own merits?

Although John is creative, his declarations on quantum theories have already been proven to be wrong.

Which quantum theories are you talking about?

Please forgive me but if I missed a question or if there was something else to go into I would have been happy to do so.

02-12-2001 08:54 PM

Why would a time traveler reveal himself? In John's mission, these actions have no purpose.

I still fail to see why this is a problem. If you can think of another way where I can interact with people I would very much like to hear your suggestions. Why isn't the mere act of speaking with other people an end in itself?

Personally, I find the unit interesting and I like talking about it. There must be something in your life like that.

John talks about a civil war being started between the Democrats and Republicans. Later, this escalates into WW3 and he mentions that it is a good thing for us.

I don't believe I ever said the war was between Democrats and Republicans. If I am incorrect, please point that out. It doesn't exactly escalate as much as it opens the door for other aggression. Yes, I think the war would be good for society and I would be happy to debate that with you.

John tells us to buy a gun, find 5 friends, and get a bicycle. This conflicts with his comments about killing us all off.

If you could point out how this violates the three guidelines I stated earlier, I would give it considerable thought. Perhaps you are correct and that was a mistake. Again, I don't believe I said I want to kill you. Personally, I think murder is wrong. You seem to be pretty good at that yourself.

John mentions that he has no idea what GINGER is but he mentions media hype and alludes to IT not amounting to much.

Again, I don't believe I said that either. My point in that conversation was about feeling manipulated by hype. Since they ARE asking you to buy something, I would be very interested in your lengthy and critical postings about ITS credibility. If you could post that link I would very much like to see it.

John mentions the war was between the cities of America, Russia, China, etc.

Hmm, are you familiar with the Russian partisan movement in WWII?

John says the civil war leads to the world war in 2015. The civil war lasts for ten years?

It's 2004. I apologize for a missed key (very observant - we all need good critics). Perhaps our definition of war is different. I would define it as a conflict where organized groups engage in maneuver and armed conflict. The first U.S. civil war lasted 4 years and the English civil war lasted 6. How long is too long?

John says the mechanical typewriter is a major machine again in the future and the Internet still exists and is widely used.

Actually, what I said was, "…you may be surprised at how many people use typewriters." I don't understand the conflict. What's wrong with typewriters? At least you don't have to plug them in.

Thanks for the patience. I'm getting to the other questions.

02-12-2001 11:51 PM

Have you ever been on any other time traveling missions?

Yes, but they were all training missions. There is a great deal of psychological profiling and testing and one of the training missions involved choosing a time in your life (within two years) where you wish you would have done something different and then going back to convince yourself to do it.

The idea is to become familiar with the possibility of meeting yourself, which can be rather difficult. It is quite odd to look at "yourself" and have a conversation. Since any "you" on another worldline would not be a mirror image, you get a slightly distorted feeling while seeing yourself, let alone the concept of speaking to yourself

Could you post a link to the images of your time machine?

I would be happy to do that.

If you have any pictures of the computer you were supposed to get?

I'm pretty sure there must be something on the web now about the IBM 5100.

I looked up the name 'Titor' and couldn't find any. Is your family not listed in the phone book?

I guess it depends when you look.

Can I contact you through any other means?

I've tried talking online before and found it quite enjoyable but I find the questions and comments come so rapidly it's hard to keep up.

What is the exact date that the war starts? If you can't remember, can you tell us the month?

I remember the exact date. When it comes, it will not be a surprise.

What is the speed of the average computer in the future?

GHz is not a useful measurement. Computers are no longer measured by their speed as much as the number of variables (not calculations) they can handle per second.

Can you time travel whenever you want? How much does it cost? Can you make stops along the way back to 2036?

No, the unit doesn't belong to me. I can't make stops on the way home as it will throw the gravity measurements off and it would force me to backtrack. Also, I can't just leave and arrive at any place and time I want to. There are physical and technical limits to when and where I can go.

Have you ever been in your own future?

No, I haven't been to the future of my 2036. My profile qualified me for a trip to the past. I understand your position and appreciate your supportive outlook. However, I have given some very detailed information that could be checked out. Please consider that our frame of reference is quite different and finding subjects to discuss and exchange information about could be a challenge. I'm just not up on music, Hollywood and sports in the year 2001. You could ask me all you want about 1975 but I suspect that's not very impressive.

Actually it does, I have never personally experienced this time as an adult and (name of popular singing star) was not a big topic of conversation when you're hiking through the swamp. Everything I know about your time is from books, magazines and old videotapes that weren't destroyed in the war. If it makes you feel any better, I do struggle with not talking about football.

The animal Kingdom is alive and well. I'm sure it suffered but there fewer people infringing on animal's habitats now. Nuclear war is a very undesirable thing but it is not the end of the world. There are areas and cities we can't enter and the environment did suffer a great deal of damage but we are recovering. Isn't Hiroshima a thriving city today? The major physical affects include skin cancer, infertility, infection, etc. Almost everyone has some sort of physical remnant from the war.

I am aware the concept of the Rapture is related to Christian Prophecy but I am not familiar with the details. Yes, there are people I trust here and I would hate for any harassment or harm to come to them. I am aware of the Mayan Calendar but in 2012, it was not something I was able to think about. When the time comes, I'm sure people will find the signs they are looking for that leads them to the end of time.

When I say fear will keep you alive I am talking about the natural instincts and premonitions that we all turn off when it's convenient. The same person who has five dead bolt locks on their door will think nothing about getting into a parking garage elevator with a total stranger. I think the fear of God is the fear of separation from God.

Some of you may wonder what a time traveler does with his day while he's posting on the web. I spend a great deal of time downloading information and storing it for my return. (Popular radio show host name) site is definitely on that list. I'll have to think about who the most remembered people are. Again, my viewpoint is quite skewed.

Who is the major super power in 2036?

It depends on how you define power. If you mean military, the world has developed into an odd balance. There are plenty of nuclear weapons left but if anyone uses them they, will be instantly erased from the planet by everyone else, regardless of the politics. We are very tired of war.

Are the two political parties still Republicans and Democrats?

There are no Republicans or Democrats to speak of. There are now over 10 major political parties.

How many States are there?

The states, as you know them, still exist but their political power has been combined with other states around them. There are now 5 major geopolitical areas in the United States.

Which states are the worst to live in?

When you can't drink the water it's bad everywhere.

Were only cities along the Eastern US hit in the Nuclear War, or all over the country?

Cities and large military areas in the entire country.

Do companies like (popular software and Internet names) still exist?

No.

Does money look different than it does now?

No, money is pretty much the same. Unfortunately, I do not have any money with me because I wouldn't be able to use it here.

When you time travel you can never actually go back to the exact place you left from?

That is correct. In physical terms, I can never get back to the exact worldline I left from.

Was a lot of the US 18-24 age group killed in the war because of a draft?

Yes.

Do you ever get time travelers from later time periods in 2036?

Not that I'm aware of but I can't say it isn't happening.

Are there any other companies that send out time travelers?

I work for the military. GE just makes the unit.

Does the government know there that time travel going on?

In 2036, yes.

Why were you selected to be a time traveler?

I am related to a key figure in the development of the IBM 5100.

How many time travelers are there on your team? How do they choose new ones?

My unit has between 6 and 10. When I left, there were 7 others. Military service, physical fitness, history or technical background and special relationship to target contacts get you in the door.

Which countries are on our side in the war?

Don't have much to add there.

Which country gets the worst in the war?

Again, the entire world is affected. Even if you don't take a direct hit, dying crops and no water can ruin your day.

Why can't you answer questions about natural disasters?

No one can change something now that would cause an earthquake or stop one. I will not share information that would allow someone to avoid death by probability.

I think you're avoiding questions like that. It just supports the fact that you are not who you say you are.

Again, what I think is important doesn't impress anyone and although I could point to various things I've said about other subjects the response is usually hohum tell us about music and sports. I suppose I could lie and make something up but what's the point?

You should have at least a basic understanding of physics.

I do but your questions were rather specific. I would love to talk physics and I'll be happy to walk through the operation of the unit.

By exposing yourself here, you've very likely broken several time travel regulations.

No, I haven't.

Don't you put yourself at risk by doing so?

Yes, that's potentially true but what I gain offsets that. Does that statement answer the question of why time travelers do not revel themselves? You should know a lot more about the machines you're operating.

I do know very much about it. I'm just not willing to share it with everyone.

There are inconsistent in several aspects of your posts.

If you could point out the specific questions I will be happy to address them.

Is the (car company) truck better than the (car company) truck for time travel?

The vehicle must have a strong suspension.

How did you buy your truck? How could you title it if you are only 3 years old at this point? How did you pay for it?

Don't worry. Fortunately, these are things we're taught at time travel school in "how to get around in the sarcastic 20th century". I said I didn't have any money from 2036. I have plenty from here.

Does the truck have to be running when you are traveling through time?

The vehicle must be standing still.

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