Time Travel Conundrum- Class Participation for March 19

For the second (and hopefully final) part of the blogging class participation (if you haven't done part 1, please do that first), I am going to let you watch a little television. No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Below is the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode entitled "Yesterday's Enterprise". It tackles the moral problem of whether it is right to change the past, no matter what the costs. It's also about sacrifice for a greater good. Pay careful attention to the character of Lt. Tasha Yar (the blond security guard lady). (Note: The episode is split into five parts. When you reach the end of one part click on the link that will appear for the next part.)

Enjoy the videos and answer the questions below:


1. Do you think the method of time travel used in this episode seems scientifically plausible? Why or why not?
2. Consider the decisions made by Lt. Yar to sacrifice her life to change the past? Would you have made the same decision, even if you were unsure of how it might change the timeline? What about Capt. Picard? What were his reservations about sending the Enterprise C back through the rift? Would you have made the same decision, based on what information that Guinnan gave him, or would you have sided with Cmdr. Riker, who felt the Enterprise C should stay in the future and help with the war efforts against the Klingons?

Hey, All You Zombies-- Class Participation for 3/17

Since I am currently out of the office and unable to discuss this week's stories live and in person, I've decided on an alternative that you might enjoy. Below is one young director's interpretation of Heinlein's story. I figure it might help you better understand the mind-twisting time paradox that Heinlein has set up in his story.
After you watch this, in order to get class participation credit for Wednesday's class, answer the questions below and post your answers using the comment button below. You may select "anonymous" from the posting options, so long as you put your name in the text box. Or e-mail me your response, so that at least I get it.



1. How faithful was the movie to the original story? What details did they change?
2. If you were directing the movie version of any story we've read so far, which one would you film? How would you make your movie a unique interpretation of the story (for example, do you have a particular actor in mind for one of the characters, a special effect that might be cool, or music that might make the movie pop off the screen)?