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Implications (mander.xyz)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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[–] 49 points 2 years ago (1 child)

Hawking concluded it is impossible because nobody showed up to his party. Zero thought was spent wondering if it was a party worth showing up to.

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  • [–] 25 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Yeah, now that I think of it more, I can't see a single good reason for a time traveler to show up at this party. Going back in time to prove the existence of time travel to the past has a very good chance of handing control of time travel away to people who can undo your existence without you ever being aware of it.

    Even if you just wanted a conversation with one of the brilliant minds in physics, it would be smarter to pick a random lecture or non-time-travel-themed party.

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  • [–] 13 points 2 years ago

    Yes, or someone did show up despite knowing the risks because they trusted Hawking to understand the dangers of revealing the secret of time travel and not sharing it with any living soul. If time travel were to ever become possible and somewhat commonplace then the chances are probably close to zero that everybody chooses not to attend this party (assuming the invitation remains famous for long enough). Perhaps the party was crowded with people thinking the same way.

    It's much more likely that it all just played out exactly the way Hawking said it did, of course. But it's a fun thought experiment to play around with.

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