About Parallel Universes

The Case for Parallel Universes

If you pay attention, you learn that our universe is abuzz with various theories of alternative universes.  Part of the reason for the buzz is the nascent state of metaverses, electronic worlds that produces gaming, advertising opportunities, and the counter-intuitive practice of purchasing merchandise to be worn by or used by avatars in an artificial electronic space.

But part is driven by the contemplation of possible different universes in real time; or is it real space, if there is a difference.  In the November 7 issue of The New Yorker, an article entitled The Never-ending Story explores the history of the concept of different universes and the analogous current excitement about multiverses, tracing a tortuous path from early discussion in literature to graphic novels to current cinema.

The article does not do a deep dive into film and fiction, by the way; it omits my favorite example (and one of the earliest literary exploration): the classic Stephen King/Peter Straub novel The Talisman (1984)  where the principal character flips between realities with aplomb to great effect.  Not to mention the charming movie About Time which is more akin to the slightly analogous possibility of time travel (there the theory is that everything now and in the future exists forever and you can just drop by like Michael J. Foxx in Back to the Future).

And I have been awaiting in vain for the novel The House on the Strand (way back in the 1970s or 80s I believe)  by Daphne du Maurier to be made into a movie, where the protagonist becomes addicted to the drama of the Middle Ages to his ultimate detriment.

To get a flavor for how confusing it might be if there were in fact various universes running in parallel, find the presently streaming movie Everything Everywhere All at Once (mentioned in the New Yorker article and now also resident at the wonderful Coolidge Corner Cinema).  The female principal character moves smoothly from her laundromat to kung foo master, although she shows up also in numerous less salutary situations as the universes flip as if rippling a deck of cards.

None of the literature or film iterations seem to consider the eschatological ramifications of the possible existence of multiple universes in real time.  If there are multiple realities, one might think that no decisions need be made, ever, as all possibilities now and forever will co-exist no matter what we do.  Would this lead to chaos, or immorality, or the abandonment of the idea of heaven, as good and evil are forever equally present?

Shortly I will post a story that explores the ultimate ramifications of multiple universes – with a light-hearted lilt if such a thing is possible.  (Stay tuned as I need to actually write the darned thing first!)