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 ;)
This week's question is brought to you by The CW's Frequency.
(I highly recommend this show. It's based on the 2000 movie of the same name with a couple tweaks to make it work weekly. If you like sci fi and timey-wimey stuff, you'll enjoy this. Hopefully. Before it's gone. The ratings aren't all that great...)
So, the setup: You're talking to a guy. About stuff. (I'm being deliberately vague here. Put in the most outlandish situation or the most mundane. Whatever you can think up.) This stuff is perfectly reasonable considering the situation. And it's stuff you want to believe...
But, what if the guy really is crazy? Does that negate the situation?
I don't think it negates the situation. I think one just has to look at the facts and try to avoid the craziness of the person presenting the information.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to ask my hubby if he has seen the show; he tends to like things like this.
betty
I've been watching the show. It's well done, but the story concept is a bit annoying. As a fan of the time-travel genre I've thought about it a lot and from my perspective of logic, if time travel were possible, it wouldn't make sense that you could change the past to affect the future. It just seems silly, but still I'm watching the show because it's kind of entertaining.
ReplyDeleteHmm--in context with the show, if the guy was really crazy then it might or might not negate the situation. I guess it depends on all related facts presented and whether they were true or not. If the guy was crazy then the story would have to go to some dark places to make it more interesting--or be outrageously funny.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Time travel is a tricky concept. What would be possible and what wouldn't? If free will is in play, then someone going to the past should be able to change things. Or would they?
DeleteI guess it would depend upon your definition of crazy!!
ReplyDeleteWell, that's something to consider. Are all mental illnesses considered crazy? Someone who is depressed would be more trustworthy than someone who is schizophrenic, but either could be lying.
DeleteWell there have been a lot of people considered nuts who either invented things or, it was found to be true. Obviously if I am talking with this guy I am enjoying our conversation so i would continue to talk with him and start investigating if all of this is true...whatever it may be
ReplyDeleteThis is something to consider. Who's calling him crazy? Why?
DeleteIf they were crazy, then it would probably make me pause to consider it more. I'd have to find some other kind of confirmation.
ReplyDeleteHmm just because you're "crazy" doesn't mean you aren't right some of the time. :D
ReplyDeleteCrazy people can still be right. So, with that in mind, I would try to reserve judgement. Or, the person could be crazy in a time-travel sort of way. Imagine someone from 2016 being transported to, or communicating with, the year 1700. It would not end well for the modern person, who would be considered crazy (or possessed). Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYes, crazy people can be right. This is a good point.
DeleteI think further research on the matter would have to be done to verify what they said. But really that goes for anyone. In other words I'd listen :) And now I'm going to have to check out this show!
ReplyDeletePlease do. It's not doing well in the ratings, and it's so worthwhile.
DeleteCrazy and time travel...works for me.
ReplyDeleteWhich brings up a good point. Would time travel make the traveller crazy? (I sense a future what if...)
DeleteHad to read that a few times.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the matter of insanity doesn't change the fact they are being reasonable. If their words are sane that is all that is needed to make a valid consideration regarding the topic at hand.
Good point. Just because someone has a mental illness doesn't mean they have no sense.
DeleteDefine crazy? Are we talking dangerous and may snap and kill me or Doctor Who crazy? ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't define "crazy", did I? So, by the rules I set out, anything I didn't specifically state can be open to the interpretation of the reader. So, you pick. Could be either.
DeleteAll are charming, but I'm especially fond of the knitted ornament. What a fun idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteI've actually spoken with someone who was mentally ill. It's … hard. Complicated. Confusing. Frustrating? And you tell the person they need to go to the hospital (specifically if there is a possibility they may harm themself) and they refuse and the hospital won't admit them unless they go willingly. *sigh* That was a long day. And that was dealing with a family friend, so not even a stranger! I don't even know what I would do with a stranger! The police don't seem to notice/care. It's like they aren't trained to deal with that, so they'd rather ignore that mentally ill people exist. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I answered your question. Either way, I don't really want to imagine going through that again. I'd rather talk with real, sane people. Whether it involves time travel or otherwise. (You didn't say time travel I don't think, but another commenter mentioned it, so not sure if I missed it…?)
Well, take that and multiply it by time travel or some such. That was the idea, anyway.
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