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 ;)
The other morning on my way to work I was listening to some radio show or other (I flip through stations until I find music), and the guys were reading some story of someone who did something stupid while high on drugs. So, of course my mind went a little sideways...
What if hallucinogenic drugs caused people to see into an alternate reality or alternate universe?
Instead of just thinking they do? That could lead to all sorts of interesting story lines.
ReplyDeleteThen they'd have to convince people it wasn't just the drugs, and then everyone would be taking the drugs. This society would collapse and then we would all be making plans to journey to the other universe where clashes with our other selves occur as we try to take over their lives (still in a drug-fuelled haze).
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'll mention you! Lol.
Then, some people might choose to live in those alternate universes for good.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I would never use drugs like that anyway.
I don't either.
DeleteInteresting...maybe we can only see the other universe because our brain chemistry is altered, but it's dangerous to us. Do we risk trying to discover this new world? Do we try to find a way to open a gate there (what a mess that would be)?
ReplyDeleteI think that most people would not believe them. However, some would, and those people would gather around the drug users. Soon enough, a cult would develop, with everyone in the cult taking the drugs. From there - who knows? Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOooh, that's an interesting take.
DeleteLiz, Although I haven't partook in many years, all I have to do is hold my breath and jump up and down, and I can usually shake something loose that will trigger flashbacks including trips to alternate universes.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's a story in there somewhere.
DeleteOoh that's a good one! I think at first they'd have to realise they were seeing into an alternate world, and then convince other people of that fact, and then eventually if it's dystopia, the government would step in and actively persecute anyone taking or carrying the drug -- I could totally see that storyline evolve into a full novel ;-) it could become quite matrix-ey
ReplyDeleteEveryone's taking this in such interesting directions.
DeleteI don't know about a different plane of universe but I think it actually does put people on a different plane of thought. Look at the romantic poets who were zoned out on opium and some of the comedians today. It seems to allow them to operate on a different level of thinking.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't think it's really necessary for creativity, but what do I know?
DeleteWELL I think that is quite likely- accessing other universes..what if we can do it without hallucinogenics?
ReplyDeleteThat would be better, of course.
DeleteIt would be really weird I think and I think depending on what you saw in those alternative places, it might make one not want to use those types of drugs.
ReplyDeletebetty
Depends on the universe you see.
DeleteThe MC in my new upper MG, UF slips into an alternate reality, but not from drugs! I think drugs can make you "see" a lot things that aren't real:)
ReplyDeleteI wasn't claiming they're real. Just positing what if that were the case.
DeleteNow that is an interesting question. I would be tempted but it would depend on the alternate universe. If it was ruled by man hungry dinosaurs then...no but if people were at peace and all was at peace...different story but if I stayed there maybe in this life I would be dead-ouch! So much could be used as a storyline for this
ReplyDeleteI guess my less creative, simpler answer to your question would be: The price of said hallucinogenic drugs would probably increase. Supply and demand. (How economical of me. :-P)
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a good point.
DeleteI wrote a detailed comment this morning about how I think the government would react and couldn't get it to post using my new contact info.... It disappeared and I have absolutely no idea what I said.
ReplyDelete