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Parallel universe <span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>  Parallel universes are a science fiction and fantasy staple that has its basis in quantum physics theories. The idea is that any choice made in this universe results in the creation of another universe where an alternate choice was made. A parallel universe may occasionally be referred to as an alternate reality though the term typically refers to a reality similar to our own but different in small ways or a universe that has a similar history but a recent point of divergence. Sometimes the divergence is in history. Perhaps in one parallel universe, the Nazis won World War II, and so the author can explore what our world might have been like if this had happened. The TV series Sliders (1995) the characters would "slide" to different Earths where history had gone differently or culture had evolved differently. Parallel universes may also describe realities vastly different from our own so as to be completely unrecognizable which, naturally, makes "alternate reality" an insufficient description. These alternative dimensions, as they are sometimes called, might have different laws of physics which apply there, or may be perceived as differently as a two dimensional being would perceive (or not perceive) a three dimensional world. In Isaac Asimov's novel The Gods Themselves explores what might happen if a "leak" between two such different universes occured. Sometimes parallel universes are depicted as being created through a time travel paradox. For example, if you went back in time and murdered your grandmother, you would create a parallell universe where you never existed. Since you need to have existed to have killed her, your world might continue to exist, and this new reality could be said to run parallel to yours. Often, a parallel universe is talked about in terms of a parallel Earth. A parallel Earth is sometimes said to take up the same space as ours, but existing in another dimension or vibrating at a different frequency. A consequence for individuals from a parallel universe crossing over into our own was created in Stargate SG-1. After crossing over into our universe, parallel characters with living counterparts experienced entropic cascade failure, as a result of two copies of the same object attempting to occupy the same space. In science fiction, parallell Earths may be worlds that we have access to during extraordinary times and under extraordinary circumstances. In Star Trek and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine TV Series', the series' characters had a series of adventures traveling to a place known as the "Mirror Universe", where the history of the galaxy had been quite different though the same characters existed. The characters first cross over when they are caught in a lightning storm while traveling by molecular transporter. In the Mirror Universe, the peaceful United Federation of Planets was transformed by historical events into an evil empire, where noble characters like Lieutenant Sulu and Major Kira were changed by circumstances into violent,venal, and barbaric characters. Characters from our universe would travel there and interact with these characters which were so alike, and yet so different, from the friends they knew. In Science Fiction, it has been theorized that there are an infinite number of parallel universes, all existing in the same place. Operating from this theory, we can then discuss the "multiverse", being the existence of the sum of all parallel universes that there are. When something affects the multiverse, it affects all dimensions at a particular place in space. Another way of looking at it is in terms of a primary reality, and an infinite number of reflections of that universe. In Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber series, Amber was the primary reality, and its citizens could walk through the "shadow" reflections cast by that reality, of which our Earth was just one of many. Sometimes a "universe" is thought of as a being relevant to a specific line of fiction. For example, the 24th century Star Trek characters could not readily encounter the descendant of Spider-Man, because the two are said to live in different universes. However, a character on Star Trek: The Next Generation can meet a character from Star Trek: Voyager, because they are said to live in the same universe. These limitations cannot limit the imagination of fans and creators. Marvel Comics and DC Comics have made joint efforts where, for example, Spider-Man meets Superman, despite the two characters living in different universes. There was also a novel where the X-Men met the characters of Star Trek: The Next Generation. There is a publication called "The Holmesian Federation" that specializes in Sherlock Holmes meeting characters in other fictional universes, most notably the Star Trek universe. These stories seriously break the rules, and are almost always considered to be unofficial tales that happen "outside the continuity" in both universes. Related Terms and Articles
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