Meeting your past self could cause a paradox from "summary" of Time Travel in Einstein's Universe by J. Richard Gott
When we delve into the intriguing world of time travel, we must confront the mind-bending concept that meeting our past self could potentially lead to a paradox. This idea is not merely a whimsical notion but a fundamental principle that underpins the fabric of spacetime. In the realm of theoretical physics, paradoxes are not to be taken lightly, as they can destabilize the very foundations of our understanding of the universe. The reason why meeting our past self could cause a paradox lies in the inherent contradictions that arise from such an encounter. Time travel, by its very nature, involves a disruption in the linear flow of time. When we meet our past self, we are essentially creating a situation where causality is thrown into disarray. The past self that we encounter has already experienced the events leading up to that moment, while our present self is yet to undergo those same experiences. This dissonance creates a loop in which the past and present selves are inextricably intertwined, leading to a paradoxical situation. In the context of Einstein's theory of relativity, which forms the theoretical framework for understanding time travel, paradoxes of this nature can have profound implications. The theory of relativity posits that spacetime is a unified entity, in which the fabric of space and time are intrinsically linked. When we introduce the concept of time travel into this framework, we are essentially tampering with the very structure of reality. One of the key principles of relativity is the idea that causality is preserved in all inertial frames of reference. This means that events unfold in a logical and consistent manner, without any contradictions or inconsistencies. However, when we introduce the possibility of meeting our past self, we are essentially violating this principle, creating a situation where causality breaks down.- Meeting our past self creates a feedback loop in which causality is no longer a linear progression but rather a tangled web of contradictions. This can lead to a paradoxical situation where the very fabric of spacetime is torn asunder. To avoid such a catastrophic outcome, we must tread carefully in the realm of time travel, lest we disrupt the delicate balance of the universe itself.
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