Time travel -- Back to the Future

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of time travel as depicted in the movie "Back to the Future." Participants explore the implications of time travel within the film's narrative, debating the nature of timelines and the validity of the title in relation to the events that occur. The conversation touches on both fictional and scientific aspects of time travel, as well as the philosophical implications of the plot.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that Marty cannot go back in time because he returns to his present, while others contend that he is going to the future of the timeline from 1955.
  • One participant suggests that the title "Back to the Future" is misleading if it implies returning to one's original future, proposing that it could be titled "Back to an Altered Future."
  • There are claims that backward time travel is not physically possible, and discussions about the nature of time travel in fiction versus reality are raised.
  • Some participants express a desire to understand the scientific aspects of time travel, despite acknowledging the fictional nature of the story.
  • A detailed infographic is proposed to illustrate the timeline events in the "Back to the Future" universe, outlining how actions create new timelines and the implications of those changes.
  • Concerns are raised about overthinking the plot of a fictional movie, with suggestions that the rules of time travel can be flexible as determined by the writers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus, as multiple competing views remain regarding the interpretation of time travel in the film and its implications for timelines. The discussion reflects a mix of opinions on the validity of the arguments presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the discussion involves speculative reasoning about a fictional narrative, which may not adhere to established scientific principles. The conversation also highlights the challenge of applying real-world physics to fictional scenarios.

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  • #32
OCR said:
Well, since we went off track on Back to the Future... I want to post about another time travel story, only this one was on TV.

Of course, it's another Star Trek, The Next Generation creation, a two-part episode called... "Time’s Arrow".

I saw the first episode, with my wife, while visiting my in-laws down in Arizona... and literally chased the second episode all the way back to Montana... lolWhat Wittenberg wrote is OK, I guess, but I have never figured out how...

ST-TNG_Time%27s_Arrow_Part_1.jpg

Data became the possessor of two heads.....:oldconfused:
Data's "brother" did exist.
 

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