Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Slowing Time



At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)

So, if you'd like to make your head hurt just a little, make sure to check out 17 Facts About Time. (Although, it didn't bother me so much. I knew most of those already.) #16 really got me thinking...

What if we could influence the passage of time? Would you? 

If you'd like more "What If?"s, make sure to check out Unicorn Bell this week where some published authors have taken a crack at it.
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24 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughJune 30, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    I'd just mess it up...

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  2. PaulaJune 30, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    I hope that all of us are influencing the passage of time by the lives we are living!!

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  3. Kathleen JennetteJune 30, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    Boy, that's a good one. I probably would just to get rid of all the hate, but that is the way we learn unfortunately.

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  4. bettyJune 30, 2015 at 9:28 AM

    Good question. I'd love to speed up the work day and then slow down the weekends, but then that would mess up so many other people. I think how it is, is probably a good system :)

    betty

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  5. UnknownJune 30, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    If we had the ability to not only control time but also localize it, restricting the changes to a specific location such as a room, I'd definitely try it out. I wouldn't want to control time on a global level.

    This reminds me of the song "Time Stand Still" by Rush. That's what I'd make it do, if I could. :-)

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  6. BirgitJune 30, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    In my state of mind, I would be unsure whether I was coming or going.

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  7. RomiJune 30, 2015 at 1:07 PM

    If each person had the power to influence the passage of time as they like, the world would be chaotic...

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  8. Romance Book HavenJune 30, 2015 at 2:28 PM

    Great discussion...what if we could multi-task more?

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    Replies
    1. Liz A.July 1, 2015 at 12:06 AM

      Oh, don't get me started on multi-tasking...

      Delete
  9. J E OneilJune 30, 2015 at 3:15 PM

    All. The. Time. Seriously, I might be a super villain. I mean, if I had a power like that. Not right now, I swear.

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  10. bookwormJune 30, 2015 at 3:45 PM

    An Interesting question. I would love to have pleasurable moments last forever - or would I? Perhaps the great moments are great because they don't last long? Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Liz A.July 1, 2015 at 12:07 AM

      That's true. Is it more pleasurable because it's short, or would making it longer make it better?

      Delete
  11. mshatchJune 30, 2015 at 5:01 PM

    Hmm, it depends on the consequences. I might.

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  12. Susan KaneJune 30, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    Excellent question. Would I? No. My time would be different from others, and we would all crash into each other.

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    Replies
    1. Liz A.July 1, 2015 at 12:08 AM

      That's something I didn't specify. Would it influence everyone the same?

      Delete
  13. Crystal CollierJuly 1, 2015 at 6:18 AM

    I've thought about this one a TON. (Because the concept is actually written into one of my novels.) I wouldn't want to mess with time--other than a slowing on rare occasion to enjoy my kidlets. Every moment is valuable.

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  14. Hart JohnsonJuly 1, 2015 at 7:16 AM

    I'm so glad I can't. I would wish away time, speed it up, to get to the really good events, when in reality, if I can control myself, I like the anticipating of those things better than the actual things much of the time. I am way too irresponsible to put in charge of such things.

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  15. UnknownJuly 1, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    I'm with Hart. Anticipation is the fun part and I'd ruin it by being impatient and speeding up time.

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I appreciate your comments.

I respond to comments* via email, unless your profile email is not enabled. Then, I'll reply in the comment thread. Eventually. Probably.

*Exception: I do not respond to "what if?" comments, but I do read them all. Those questions are open to your interpretation, and I don't wish to limit your imagination by what I thought the question was supposed to be.

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