O. Henry, the American master of the short story, explored this concept in the early 20th century before the comic book era. One of his longer stories, "Roads Of Destiny", explores how a single narrative could have finished differently if the protagonist had taken a different "road" on the path he travelled.
Definitely. It certainly helped explain to me how so much of life is governed by luck and chance as much as resourcefulness.
I also wrote a novella in which all the events occurred on the same day- I enjoy being experimental like that and reading authors who used non-conventional story patterns.
Makes me think of the TV show "24." I don't think they were the first to use this idea of showing events unfolding in real time (the show is 24 hours, but I've also seen 2 hours = 2 hours, EG). Interesting approaches, and I also tend to enjoy authors who break the time wall, in a way.
I remember enjoying Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America" a whole lot. I generally like alternate history books/games/shows. Many video games deal with counterfactuals, too, like e.g. Command & Conquer Red Alert which imagines what would've happened if someone went back in time and made Hitler disappear (they technically don't "kill" him but kind of erase him, but c'mon). And then it traces the rise of Stalin and the Allies (including Germany) fighting against the Soviets.
I guess there's always something fascinating about exploring parallel timelines and weird directions our world could take if the butterfly flapped its wings just so. Or whatever. It's too late in the evening for this right now!
Check out a trailer and let me know if that's the sort of thing you might be into. I thought the cast was fantastic, which was a nice plus for a large-scope sci-fi show.
I actually wrote a treatment for a tv show (that I sent nowhere) about this. Similar vein to the man in the high castle. Also, one of the books I’m reading now is essentially all about this topic..Fluke. It’s really good.
O. Henry, the American master of the short story, explored this concept in the early 20th century before the comic book era. One of his longer stories, "Roads Of Destiny", explores how a single narrative could have finished differently if the protagonist had taken a different "road" on the path he travelled.
Ever play those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books? I remember enjoying that aspect of them.
Definitely. It certainly helped explain to me how so much of life is governed by luck and chance as much as resourcefulness.
I also wrote a novella in which all the events occurred on the same day- I enjoy being experimental like that and reading authors who used non-conventional story patterns.
Makes me think of the TV show "24." I don't think they were the first to use this idea of showing events unfolding in real time (the show is 24 hours, but I've also seen 2 hours = 2 hours, EG). Interesting approaches, and I also tend to enjoy authors who break the time wall, in a way.
What if "What We Do in the Shadows" was real? Would you want to be turned into a vampire and live forever?
Probably, although it does depend on what that means for my existing relationships (and also: would I really need to kill and eat people?).
Yes. It’s a trade off.
Of course you could be like Colin Robinson and be an energy vampire and just constantly bore victims instead of killing them.
So it wouldn't really change things all that much?
Perhaps neither is better than what is…
I remember enjoying Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America" a whole lot. I generally like alternate history books/games/shows. Many video games deal with counterfactuals, too, like e.g. Command & Conquer Red Alert which imagines what would've happened if someone went back in time and made Hitler disappear (they technically don't "kill" him but kind of erase him, but c'mon). And then it traces the rise of Stalin and the Allies (including Germany) fighting against the Soviets.
I guess there's always something fascinating about exploring parallel timelines and weird directions our world could take if the butterfly flapped its wings just so. Or whatever. It's too late in the evening for this right now!
We may have discussed the Man in the High Castle already - if so, apologies - but have you seen it?
We haven't discussed it and I haven't watched it but I am aware of the premise, so perhaps I should put it on my endless “To Watch” list.
Check out a trailer and let me know if that's the sort of thing you might be into. I thought the cast was fantastic, which was a nice plus for a large-scope sci-fi show.
I actually wrote a treatment for a tv show (that I sent nowhere) about this. Similar vein to the man in the high castle. Also, one of the books I’m reading now is essentially all about this topic..Fluke. It’s really good.
Nice. Alternative history?
Yeah. I’m oddly fascinated with failed assassination attempts of past leaders. So it was kind of that coupled with the multiverse idea.
This feels sorta butterfly effect adjacent? Or maybe more like the What If scenarios in Family Guy
It can be both.