One of the themes that Start Trek often plays with (in all of its generations) is that of alternate universes. These are some of the only episodes that I really can’t stomach. The reason I find them unpalatable is that they quite starkly show the futility of life without true self-determination. In the parallel universe theory, we all exist in an infinite number of universes. Every time we make a major choice in life, various realities are created in which we follow each choice. In Star Trek there is an alternate universe wherein the Federation is a warring, conquering alliance and the Enterprise crew are all self-serving (and sometimes downright evil), power-hungry, back-stabbing pirates.

Another theme that I cannot enjoy is that of time travel. Though not quite as bad as parallel universes, time travel also tends to do the same thing to free will. In time travel theory, any particular place in time has a past that created it and a future that it is creating. However, there is no solid anchor in time that might be considered the “true” time. Somebody could go back in time, make even a small change, and change our current timeline even to the point that we never existed. In many science fiction shows, multiple timelines are created through the manipulation of events and the “real” reality becomes uncertain or even lost. Some shows even bring up the quandary – which timeline has the right to exist?

Parallel universe theory and time travel theory (both only literary “theories” as far as I know) are a post-modernist’s dream. Modernism believe that truth is so complex that it is only knowable through multiple (even contradictory) perspectives to the next level. Post-modernism takes this belief to the next level to wonder if truth even exists at all. Post-modernism does not even believe in the solid existence of the self, but believes that the “self” is only a confluence of ideas that just happened to come together without any real reason or justification (in fact, post-modernists even believe that the idea of the “self” is created by social powers in order to keep track of us and influence us). Imagine if I were to suddenly discover that the person I considered myself to be – the sum total of the choices that I have made in my life – was just one possible “me” among many. My self-identity suddenly has no real meaning. I truly am just an accidental confluence of events. I am just one of many possible confluences that make up other “selfs.” All of these “selfs” have just as much claim on my identity and personhood as I do – that is to say, none at all. Time travel would really work the same way. My past self is just as real as my present self, as is my future self. Which “self” can truly claim my real identity?

Mind boggling? Hey! That’s science fiction for ya! Gotta love it. The comforting fact is that such a “reality” is only truly possible in fiction. There is absolutely no indication that parallel universes exist or that time travel is possible. There is absolutely no proof that modernism and post-modernism are right. In fact, they are completely untenable philosophies that only enjoy popularity by the intellectual elite because they “stick it to the man” in that old-fashioned, 60′s and 70′s sort of rebellious way.

To me, these episodes of Start Trek point out the ridiculousness of post-modernism by their very attempt to get us comfortable with the ideas of time travel and parallel universes. I take comfort in knowing that my personhood is truly mine, and that I am loved as a person by the author of all Truth.

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