Quantum Physics 305: Thursday 29 September

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor enters, looking tired, but above all, rather annoyed. He is aware of Ivanova's excused absence...and also aware that he now only has three students in class at the moment.]

I'm disappointed in those of you--that is, everyone EXCEPT Romana--who haven't turned in your homework...you'll be marked down if you get it to me today, but you'll still receive a mark. Be grateful.
((OOC: I do actually need a proposal from each person in this class. Just a sentence--where you'd like to go and study for your final project. Easy. So even if you HAVE turned in your homework, let me know.))

Now: the effects of time travel upon 'innocent' observers. As we know, physical effects are often the result of paradox, but also, an observer of a time traveller can have a varied mental state after contact.
Of course, an obvious prevention of this would to Not Be Stupid and actually avoid contact as much as possible. But this is generally not an option for the active time traveller. I, after all, am fairly notorious for my meddling--though this is unhealthy to the timeline. I'm starting to become aware of just what this does on a psychic level.
I suppose the real problem is what to do when one develops feelings--romantic OR platonic--for someone in a certain time, but cannot take him/her/hir with oneself upon departure. How does one explain where one is going? And what does this do to the mindset of the constant traveller?

Discuss.

Comments

[aroseintime.livejournal.com]

Rose wanders into class handing in her homework assignment. She proposes to study the affects time paradoxes may have on history.

"Sorry it's a bit late."

[OOC: Eep! I completely forgot about this. This is what happens when you play more than one character. ;)]

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

That's all right, Rose.

[missromana.livejournal.com]

I'd like to go to Paris 1979 for my final project, Doctor.

And as to your question about developing feelings for someone from a certain time period, I should think it's advisable only to have serious relationships with other time travelers. At least, that's been my experience.

::stares down at an apparently fascinating blank page of her notebook::

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

One would almost think you didn't have an ulterior motive. Why Paris and why 1979?

[missromana.livejournal.com]

No ulterior motive, Doctor. As you know, I've visited Paris in 1979 before. I will try not to run into myself and your earlier incarnation when I'm there!

[bluemanoncampus.livejournal.com]

Doctor, if possible I would like to travel to a point of your choosing in the future. My appearance would cause shock and horror, if not outright rioting, in any inhabited pasttime period I can think of in my world. As I obviously don't know what the future will be like, I trust you to choose a time whenin I would cause a minimum of comment.

Depending on the technological level of the observer/bystander, the time traveler may be able to explain with the simple and honest statement "I am leaving for a long and perilous journey. I do not want to see you hurt or killed." Of course, individuals or societies advanced enough to be aware of and possible possess time travel capabilites are a different matter.

As for the time traveller him-, her-, hir-, or itself, I imagine that without a frequently visited "home" time period, a refugee mindset would begin to set in. Constantly on the move without the ability to set down roots or make connections, with absolutely nothing certain... I imagine that it could have subtle and long-reaching detrimental effects on all but the most mentally stable.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

((This actually isn't your level, though the Doctor thinks McCoy could move up or do independent work, if he wanted.))