Unstuck

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***** FLEET CONFIDENTAL E2048
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ALL FLIGHT COMMANDERS:

THIS MESSAGE CONSTITUTES A ROUTINE UPDATE OF STANDING ORDER 147 (TEMPORAL IDENTIFICATION PROTOCOL).
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AUTHENTICATION: OGRE ANCESTOR SILVER PLUM STAFF NEEDLE / 0x77BB4129A6678A6A

ADM MACIAN CORINTHOS
DIVISION OF RELATIVISTICS & TEMPORAL NAVIGATION

On the former, you should bear in mind that pure causal loops, due to this problem among others, aren’t strictly speaking forbidden by physical law. They just have such severe constraints on them as to make them very very very very very very very improbable, which ought to amount to the same thing. (The same goes for impure causal loops, but knock off one very.)

Their protocol exists because within delta of impossible isn’t impossible, and as we all know from Pratchett, million-to-one chances happen nine times out of ten. Especially in a universe that has extant examples of probability-mangling technology.

On the latter, there’s a more detailed explanation of this over in the Timeo Eldraeos word-of-god thread (read the spoilered bit about how Worldline Demux works):

But here’s a short relevant excerpt:

The way universes naturally work (and this is a horrible, gross, lies-to-children popsci version of the theory) is that in macroscopic quantum systems, like universes, you can approximate the probability curve of aggregate wave function distributions as something like a bell curve. The resolved classical universe as we actually perceive and experience it is essentially the peak of the curve. The falloff to either side, for the most part, can be conceived of as naught but shadows and echoes.

They aren’t “real” alternate universes, but those shadows and echoes can, in theory, be manipulated. Including by cloning neverweres into the real, classical universe.

(No-one has turned this into practice, yet, but occasionally strange artifacts turn up whose best explanation is that they didn’t come from the “real” worldline.

Think of this process as something like pair production, where sufficient energy can stress the virtual particles apart and leave you with real particles. Except you’re doing it (a) with macroscopic objects, and (b) at right-angles to reality.)

Notable Replies

Maximilian_Crichton says:

June 2, 2022

How do “existing within a causal loop” (esp for an ageing object like a whole ship) and alternate universe worldlines square with the accepted block universe theory? Or are these catch-all regulations in anticipation of any possible developments to the theory?
avatar says:

June 3, 2022

On the former, you should bear in mind that pure causal loops, due to this problem among others, aren’t strictly speaking forbidden by physical law. They just have such severe constraints on them as to make them very very very very very very very improbable, which ought to amount to the same thing. (The same goes for impure causal loops, but knock off one very.)

Their protocol exists because within delta of impossible isn’t impossible, and as we all know from Pratchett, million-to-one chances happen nine times out of ten. Especially in a universe that has extant examples of probability-mangling technology.

On the latter, there’s a more detailed explanation of this over in the Timeo Eldraeos word-of-god thread (read the spoilered bit about how Worldline Demux works):

WoG: Timeo Eldraos et Dona Ferentes Shardverses

ObDanny: I make two notes here: The ontopathics repelled Queen Administrator from one potential trigger event. They didn’t destroy her. It should not escape notice just how tremendously useful the Docks and the dockworkers could be as a resource to someone who has the functional equivalent of Tinker Bignum. Especially when you don’t have the reproducibility problem. On the question of guessing PRT ratings, at least once they have a chance to figure stuff out a bit, but before Exponential Esc…

But here’s a short relevant excerpt:

The way universes naturally work (and this is a horrible, gross, lies-to-children popsci version of the theory) is that in macroscopic quantum systems, like universes, you can approximate the probability curve of aggregate wave function distributions as something like a bell curve. The resolved classical universe as we actually perceive and experience it is essentially the peak of the curve. The falloff to either side, for the most part, can be conceived of as naught but shadows and echoes.

They aren’t “real” alternate universes, but those shadows and echoes can, in theory, be manipulated. Including by cloning neverweres into the real, classical universe.

(No-one has turned this into practice, yet, but occasionally strange artifacts turn up whose best explanation is that they didn’t come from the “real” worldline.

Think of this process as something like pair production, where sufficient energy can stress the virtual particles apart and leave you with real particles. Except you’re doing it (a) with macroscopic objects, and (b) at right-angles to reality.)
avatar says:

June 3, 2022

(To clarify just how difficult this tech would be to develop, its predecessor on the tech tree is the one that lets you tickle a black hole just right to have it spontaneously emit a mint-condition '53 Chevy in cherry red.

Also an anti-Chevy to fall into the event horizon, but details.)
Maximilian_Crichton says:

June 6, 2022

So, an antimatter factory?
doctorcatfish says:

June 6, 2022

Possibly an antifactory factory.

The Associated Worlds

…building civilizations with my space elves in space.

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