This is the transcript of the themed chat.   The format has only been edited for readability only, the rest is left  as is with all of our spelling, typing and grammatical mistakes left in all their glory. 

Time:  Stardate 10301.24.  
Topic: Time Travel – Is it possible?
Host: Beth Kelley
Room: #Soapbox

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Tunik says:
Umm... what's the topic?

Gilles says:
Time Travel

Host Beth says:
LOL  Time Travel - Is it possible?

Tunik says:
You mean... IRL?

Host Beth says:
Anywhere...

Gilles says:
::nods:: I think she impled that     Did you?

Host Beth says:
Yeah...I think I also added...and if so, do you think someone already did it?

Tunik says:
Well, if time travel was possible in real life, we would have ceased to exist.

Gilles says:
I actually found some Websites... heavy on the physics... saying it could be possible.

Gilles says:
Hya P¨hil!

Gilles says:
Hmmmm   <Phil>

SM_Tech13 says:
Evening everyone

Tunik says:
Humans are too clumsy for something as fragile as time travel.

Gilles says:
Sorry for the hiccup :-)

Tunik says:
Welcome Phil

SM_Tech13 says:
Hey Tunik

Gilles says:
Everyone would use it to find the winning numbers if Sat lottery   LOL

Gilles says:
<if = in>

SM_Tech13 says:
It would never be an option for the general public

Gilles says:
::knows he would::   :-)

Host Beth says:
I wish I could :)

Tunik says:
Saturday lottery... isn't that a bit... small?

Host Beth says:
I just watched Back To The Future again...:)

Gilles says:
{{{{{{ Dawn }}}}}}}}}

Host Beth says:
Hi Dawn :)

Dawn says:
{{{{{{{{{ Gilles }}}}}}}}}

Dawn says:
heya

SM_Tech13 says:
It would be like "Weapons of mass destruction".  We'd be lining up to go to war over it

Gilles says:
::grins:: Now THAT was cute... the 2nd was really hard on the temporal brain

SM_Tech13 says:
Hey Dawn, Jeremy

Dawn says:
heya

Host Beth says:
For those that just arrived the topic is: Time Travel - Is It Really Possible?  And if so...has someone already done it?

Jeremy says:
what is the argument so far?

Host Beth says:
That it's not possible...humans are too fragile for time travel

SM_Tech13 says:
One thought is that we are ALL time travelers, We begin in one time and end in another

Gilles says:
Hmmm... since we always seem to be on the brink and wondering what if  "Hitler got the BOMB first?"    or something like that....  "What if someone stopped him from getting it?"   Hmmmm....

Host Beth says:
But we only go forward...never back

Jeremy says:
beth i want to comment on that one

Host Beth says:
Go for it :)

Jeremy says:
ok if we lived long enough would time loop back around? for example could we go soo far into the future that we ended up in the past?

Gilles says:
Time is round like the Earth ?   Hmmmm....

Host Beth says:
Only if you think time isn't a force but an object with a beginning and end...

Gilles says:
Something tells me we are into some heavy duty math & physics for that

Gilles says:
Welllll... we can LOOK back in time..... we do it every day...

SM_Tech13 says:
Who's the resident Physics guru? What does current science say?

Gilles says:
Look up at the stars....... or the sun for example....

Gilles says:
The sun you see it  8 minutes in the past

Jeremy says:
i do believe that it is possible....answers the question...which came first the chicken or the egg? what if they both came at "the same time" but just in differnt "times" that makes no sense but i hope it makes somewhat of an arguement

Dawn says:
::sits back and watches the 'science geeks' hash this out::

Host Beth says:
According to Einstien...once an object reaches the speed of light time stands still...if one were to surpass the speed of light..then time would go backwards.

Brett says:
Yeah, but what did he know?  :-)

Gilles says:
LOL Brett

SM_Tech13 says:
IN that case warp travel would be impossible?

Gilles says:
Suppose we COULD go back... could we change something?  Like in "City on the edge of Forever"  ?

Gilles says:
Would there be "SOMETHING" stopping us?   Or would we create a new time line?

Jeremy says:
Gilles: I believe that it happens constantly....people around us altering the past or our "destiny" to make our future

Brett says:
Being a bit of a student in the art of Time Travel, I  can answer some of these nagging questions.  ::Stands up and looks important.::

Gilles says:
::listens to Brett::

Jeremy says:
::sits back and listens::

Brett says:
The "Time Wars" books, by Simon Hawke, are great science fiction works dealing with time travel.  They also explain, pretty darn well, the concept.

Brett says:
In the books, Time is described as  ariver.

Gilles says:
::takes notes::

Brett says:
If one goes back in time and does something minor to upset the river, nothing happens really.  It is like tossing a small rock into the stream.  A few ripples which smooth out in a short distance.

Brett says:
But, if one does something paradoxical, it is akin to rolling a boulder into the river, and the river, or time stream, splits.

Brett says:
Now, there are two timelines.  One that shows what happened before you screwed with it, and one that shows what happened after.

Brett says:
Eventually, the two meet up again.

Brett says:
Time always tries to correct itself.

Brett says:
Simple huh?

Jeremy says:
where do they empty to? if we are to take that metaphor father....time would emoty somewhere correct?

Gilles says:
Hmmmm....  sounds simple

Tunik says:
I would love to go back in team, meet Julia Roberts when she was in high school, and date her.

Brett says:
::Steps down but keeps the soap box, there is still some soap in it and laundry is due.::

Host Beth says:
What if someone goes back and kills their grandfather?  Wouldn't that create a temporal loop?

Tunik says:
<time>

Brett says:
Time keeps going, it never ends.

Tunik says:
Beth: In essence... it might cause a brief disruption, while the person is phasing from existence.

Brett says:
According to the stream theory, then in one timeline you exist, and in one you do not.

Host Beth says:
And those two converge eventually?

Brett says:
Yes.  Most likely with you not in them.  :-)

Host Beth says:
So what about all those other people that are in both of them...?  :)

Brett says:
But that is the classic paradox and no one can answer it, although I think Hawke does in his books but I forget the answer.  It is something fictional though and no real answer to the question.

Host Beth says:
::pictures two Gilles side by side and shudders::

Host Beth says:
;)

Dawn says:
lol

Jeremy says:
so the stream illustrates time not the things within it

Brett says:
I think I have hogged the floor enough.

Gilles says:
Hmmmm... 2 heads are better than one

Host Beth says:
Heh...anyone else have a theory or idea?

Tunik says:
I think that Julia Roberts rocks. I seriously would go back in time just for her.

Host Beth says:
lol

Tunik says:
:)

Jeremy says:
so the theory of time travel would avoid any belief in a higher being correct?

Jeremy says:
void rather

Gilles says:
Hmmm.... not really..... it does not include or exclude the possibility

SM_Tech13 says:
Someone could go back and see How we were really created

Host Beth says:
I don't see why it would void a higher being....most religions believe in a higher being that gave free will to humans...time travel is just an exercise in free will..:)

Brett says:
Sure, what date is that?

Gilles says:
Go back and meet Adam & Eve... "Don't touch the *&*& apple!!!"

Host Beth says:
LOL...I'd like to see the Big Bang...wow..what a fireworks show that would be :)

Gilles says:
::grins::

Host Beth says:
What about the temporal wars in Enterprise?  Do you think that could ever happen?

Tunik says:
More than likely.

Tunik says:
When someone finds a way of killing someone, they use it to the best of their ability.

SM_Tech13 says:
By traveling back in time to before the technology was created. Wouldn't that be a paradox in itself?

Host Beth says:
Hmmm...like killing the creator of the first time machine?

Brett says:
No, because you are not from that time.  The paradox would be if you destroyed the technology or the means to make it.

Dawn says:
::would like to travel back in time to see when exactly The Sphinx was built and what it looked like from the start::

Cdt_Scotty says:
whats the subject guys and gals??

Gilles says:
Time Travel Scotty.... like arriving on time   :-)

Tunik says:
I'd like to see what Buddha looked like before he gained all that weight. :)

Cdt_Scotty says:
hmmmm.......good topic

Jeremy says:
so....also makes the Prime Directive more important...they obviously assumed primitives would see them as time travelers.....or even "god" TNG illustrates that

Cdt_Scotty says:
hey, i just finished training gimme a break

Host Beth says:
If you had time travel right now....would you go back and stop WW II?

Tunik says:
No.

Jeremy says:
nope

Cdt_Scotty says:
dunno

Cdt_Scotty says:
prolly not

Jeremy says:
i am very anti-war but if there were no history there would be no present......you know? cause we learn from our past mistakes right?

Gilles says:
Hmmmm..... I would be tempted.... to find one Adolph... chap.... but would I ?  Hmmm...

Cdt_Scotty says:
right

Host Beth says:
Save the lives of millions of people?  Stop the cold war?  Probably stop two other huge conflicts after that...Korea and Vietnam?

SM_Tech13 says:
Hopefully

Tunik says:
I personally think the world would be a worse place without WW2. So many different world wide politics took place to bring peace because of that war.

Tunik says:
Think what the world would be like if the allied powers weren't the allied powers. No United Nations.

Cdt_Scotty says:
WW II was an understanding for mankind.  It demonstrated what could happen when one individual gets too much power

Host Beth says:
How about something a little closer to our time.... What if you could go back and stop what is happening now ?

Gilles says:
Like  911 for example?

SM_Tech13 says:
Most of what's happening now stems from WWII

Brett says:
Now, 9 / 11 is another "good" thing.  It unified America like nothing since WW2.

Tunik says:
True.

Cdt_Scotty says:
But, it occured without reason

Jeremy says:
it is good as well but if you would have been in the Towers and looked back on it....would you still think that?

Tunik says:
WW2 led to the Cold War, which lead to our interference with Afghanistan, which led to 911, which lead to the slaughter of Iraq.

Brett says:
Good was in quotes you'll notice.  :-)  Obviously it wasn't good.  However, it did have effects which were very beneficial.  Like the WW2 example.

Cdt_Scotty says:
Our interference with Afghanistan came after 911 did it not??

SM_Tech13 says:
Not the first time

Cdt_Scotty says:
Thats true

Tunik says:
We helped Afghanistan break free from U.S.S.R. right?

Cdt_Scotty says:
i forgot about the first time........then again i wasnt alive so.........yeah

Tunik says:
The war against Communism.

Host Beth says:
Okay...I'm not asking for the politics of why this is all happening because that is a subject that many people have opinions about...I'm talking about travelling back in time...

Host Beth says:
:)

Tunik says:
::grins:: I was actually enjoying that historical debate. :)

Cdt_Scotty says:
it was interisting

SM_Tech13 says:
Just makes you realize how events of the past have long term effects

Cdt_Scotty says:
exactly

Tunik says:
So. Before we can travel back in time, we need some form of cloak, to observe but not interfere in any possible way. As... impossible as that seems.

Host Beth says:
True...a cloaking device would work... :)

Jeremy says:
how long is it really before we have the technology and the wisdon to travel time?

SM_Tech13 says:
If it is ever made possible, It wil be controlled by governments anyway

Tunik says:
Hmm. That's something I'm sort of... conflicted about. I'm not sure if we'll be able to travel time before or after we achieve warp speed capability.

Tunik says:
If... it's possible. Which, I believe it is.

Jeremy says:
sorry beth i changed the subject again

Host Beth says:
But then we go back to Einstien's theory that faster than the speed of light means going backwards....

Gilles says:
What would REALLY be usefull would be a time machine where we are sent back as observers.... like Geordi and Ro... they were "Out of Phase".... Unable to interact.... but capable of obersving

Tunik says:
Phase cloak

Tunik says:
right

Host Beth says:
No that's fine Jeremy :)   I just try and steer these away from politics and religion...two very highly charged topics :)

SM_Tech13 says:
If FTL travel goes backwards what goes forward?

Gilles says:
We do :-)

Gilles says:
Just a "tad" slow :-)

SM_Tech13 says:
Kirk and Spock did it at least twice :)

Jeremy says:
so did the speed of time change over the years....because is it not proven that the life span of 
humans has decreased?

Jeremy says:
gosh i did it again....sorry this is a subject i have always wanted to ask smarter people about......

Host Beth says:
That's another interesting point Jeremy....is time constant or continually changing based on the circumstances?

SM_Tech13 says:
Your in the wrong room then LOL

Tunik says:
Jeremy... you're a genius.

Jeremy says:
so when you are sitting in class and time seems to set still is it you or does time actually stand still?

Host Beth says:
Good question...I mean sometimes time just sems to whip by and others it goes as slow as molasses...

Tunik says:
It believe time travels based on one's own perception.

Jeremy says:
Tunik: I am just a 13 year old social outcast that has too much time on his hands

Host Beth says:
Quick question before we hit the end of this:  Would anyone like to propose a topic for next week?

Tunik says:
I've tested the theory. If I'm trying not to run late, I keep one eye on the clock, one eye on what I'm doing, and time doesn't pass as fast. It's my concept of time that's disturbed at the moment... one's biological clock is probably based on their heart rate.

SM_Tech13 says:
What would be a popular subject?

Tunik says:
Jeremy: Social outcast eh? You won't be for long. Once you hit puberty, build muscle, play football, you'll have all the girls and you'll be picking on the bullies.

SM_Tech13 says:
LOL

Jeremy says:
Tunik: LOL you can tell you have never seen me

Host Beth says:
Phil:  I'm asking you guys :)  This is for you all...if I want to expound my own theories I have a Border Collie that listens rather well :)

SM_Tech13 says:
Any subjects you haven't coverd Beth?

Host Beth says:
Oh lots of them :)

SM_Tech13 says:
I'm kind of partial to technical discussions myself

SM_Tech13 says:
But I'm a mechanical geek

Host Beth says:
I have lots of  ideas but I really want to know what you guys want to talk about...

Host Beth says:
I like technical also  ;)

Dawn says:
has there been a topic about the medical view in Star Trek?

Host Beth says:
Nope....

Jeremy says:
i think if we did anything to do with like starships blah blah that some of the TechSpecs of ACTD

SM_Tech13 says:
How about just a general Trek Chat, and see where it goes

Dawn says:
as compared to our medical points?

Jeremy says:
techspec staff rather

CMO_Tunik says:
How about... maybe the expansion of the ACTD Training to the Kobayashi Maru.

SM_Tech13 says:
Medical could be interesting as well

KevNash says:
Some of the designs on the show are being used today.

Host Beth says:
Anything in particular Dawn?  or just general medical?

Dawn says:
I dunno but its a good general topic

Host Beth says:
Hehe...I like that one Tunik ;) ::looks at Gilles and grins::

KevNash says:
And not just by medical, but also by the military.

Gilles says:
::smiles evily::

Jeremy says:
can i ask a question while smart people are around...but it is very off subject

SM_Tech13 says:
"What Star Trek inventions are we seeing in real life"

Host Beth says:
Good ideas everyone...I've got those written down...I'll send out the next topic mid-week...

Dawn says:
glad to help :)

Jeremy says:
OoO "what would happen if the Vulcans really showed their face on earth"

Host Beth says:
Jeremy: Only if we will do until the smart people come in ;)  What is it?

Jeremy says:
ok...what made Gene Roddenberry make it the Navy...wouldn't it make since to make it airforce?

Host Beth says:
Oooooo....now that is a good topic.  What would really happen if aliens landed on Earth?

Dawn says:
massive coverup

Dawn says:
:)

SM_Tech13 says:
That sounds good to me too

SM_Tech13 says:
Who says there not already here

Gilles says:
They have... I am an alien

SM_Tech13 says:
Just look at Gilles

Jeremy says:
disquised as us...to examine us....for first contact

SM_Tech13 says:
LOL

KevNash says:
I said designs not the actual things. To answer your question Phil.

Dawn says:
I knew that but that besides the point

Host Beth says:
Jeremy: I think Gene Roddenberry choose Navy because the Starships are akin to Carriers....

Gilles says:
::grins::

Jeremy says:
makes since....

CMO_Tunik says:
Curious... someone mentioned it in IRL... and I couldn't remember the answer. Why are ships designated as "U.S.S."?

CMO_Tunik says:
In Star trek that is.

Host Beth says:
United Star Ship or something like that

KevNash says:
United Space Ship

CMO_Tunik says:
Ah.

Jeremy says:
not all of the are though if i am not mistaken right?

CMO_Tunik says:
I see.

Host Beth says:
I think they are Jeremy...

Jeremy says:
ok....

SM_Tech13 says:
Well folks I'm off again Take Care :)

Host Beth says:
Is IKV Imperial Klingon Vessel?

KevNash says:
? Why are all the newer ships designated NX and the older ones N.C.C.

Gilles says:
NX - Experimental

KevNash says:
Ah. So Defiant is exoirimental because of the cloaking device and such.

Host Beth says:
I've got to leave guys :)  Sorry...but I have a cadet showing up in a few minutes and I need to run to the little trainer's room ;)

Dawn says:
later Beth

Host Beth says:
Hope to see ya'll next week :)