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I like to describe a book - I don't think this is quite right -
but as you read, the characters in the book only exist in the
moment of the page YOU are reading - they have memory of the
pages you've read - the history they've been through - but no
idea what the future is.
Indeed, every book should be a "Choose Your Own Adventure (tm)" book. :)
You can read it many times, out of order, get a different outcome every time, or read it *wrong* and hack the system ... good times.
Seems like the question is probably one of those that is moot at present - maybe forever - or at least until we die - assuming there is something beyond... which of course, you and I believe.
And though I have faith - even Jesus had his moments of doubt - so... I'd be lying if I professed my faith in the hereafter was unwavering.
Indeed, every book should be a "Choose Your Own Adventure (tm)" book.
:)
You can read it many times, out of order, get a different outcome
every time, or read it *wrong* and hack the system ... good times.
I think life is one of those Fighting Fantasy books from Livingstone. They tell you you can succeed with any character build but in reality only pain and death await you and you will only achieve your objectives if your character build is spot on.
Jackson at least tried to make it so that you could succeed with the worst character imaginable as long as you played your cards smart. With Livingstone you need to be smart but that is not enough.
Seems like the question is probably one of those that is moot at
present - maybe forever - or at least until we die - assuming
there is something beyond... which of course, you and I
believe.
Good point. I think time is linear on *this* side of eternity ... I'm inclined to think that if it weren't, every timeline would already be corrupted by all the others.
On the other hand, it would be great to have some computers in a place where time passes differently (Narnia?) so we could use it to corner the market on AI training.
I just read a thing with some deep science that basically said, "we're interpreting UFOs wrong - as physical, metal objects. They defy physics because they're not material in OUR sense of the word."
And that made a lot of sense to me. More and more, I'm convinced that our reality, our sense of being "independent beings," our whole perspective is wrong.
I did a LOT of psychedelics in the 80s, and what people call "burnt out," I sometimes wonder is just another word for "enlightened". I knew back then, at points, I was on the verge of opening understanding that I knew my psyche couldn't... manage? Cope with? I did some mental travel that I knew I was at the verge of something I couldn't come back to this reality and be "normal". At the time, I framed it in a very material, physical, real-world scope. Now, looking back - I wonder if seeing past the veil makes you unable to really connect with people who haven't seen that.
Ultimately - maybe it doesn't matter - because this reality - every little bit of it, from being irritated because the person before you at the left turn was on their phone and didn't look up until the last minute, so they made the turn and you missed it - it just "what it is." You can understand a DEEPER concept of what it means to exist - and that is still irritating AF. Charlie Kirk still gets shot in the neck.
I think, "This side of eternity," isn't *wrong* - but maybe we don't fully understand what it *means*. The books, the scriptures and the theology and the attempts to explain it in our limited vocabulary based on what we perceive as real and important - may fall short of what the actual reality really is.
It is probably far more than we can possibly conceive.
Fri Apr 17 2026 22:26:33 UTC from IGnatius T FoobarSeems like the question is probably one of those that is moot at
present - maybe forever - or at least until we die - assuming
there is something beyond... which of course, you and I
believe.
Good point. I think time is linear on *this* side of eternity ... I'm inclined to think that if it weren't, every timeline would already be corrupted by all the others.
On the other hand, it would be great to have some computers in a place where time passes differently (Narnia?) so we could use it to corner the market on AI training.