One of the more interesting themes to me in Science Fiction is that of folks attempting to undo what they have done.
The scientific theory they wish they did not know, the discovery they wish undiscovered, or the action they wish they could unenact.
Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus, by Card, is certainly along those lines. So, too, Timescape by Greg Benford.
Even within the realm of non-fiction, there is richness to be found in this realm. The efforts to ram the genie of atomic/nuclear weapons back in its bottle is both sad and profound.
Yet, unlike the above fictional examples, the weapons stay stubbornly where they were, cloning moves onward, and the decisions made during our daily lives, both those within and those beyond our direct influence, continue to only go in one diretion.
If we had time travel or the power to influence the past, would we use it wisely?
Well...
We have the power to influence the future. Do we use it wisely?
The scientific theory they wish they did not know, the discovery they wish undiscovered, or the action they wish they could unenact.
Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus, by Card, is certainly along those lines. So, too, Timescape by Greg Benford.
Even within the realm of non-fiction, there is richness to be found in this realm. The efforts to ram the genie of atomic/nuclear weapons back in its bottle is both sad and profound.
Yet, unlike the above fictional examples, the weapons stay stubbornly where they were, cloning moves onward, and the decisions made during our daily lives, both those within and those beyond our direct influence, continue to only go in one diretion.
If we had time travel or the power to influence the past, would we use it wisely?
Well...
We have the power to influence the future. Do we use it wisely?