1A Best Of: The Science And Stories Of Time Travel
Jan 2, 2026
Join Jana Levin, a physics and astronomy professor, as she delves into the physics of time travel. Regina Barber, a former astrophysicist and science reporter, discusses the allure of time travel in media. Literary critic Jonathan Russell-Clark shares insights on narrative techniques in time travel stories, highlighting classics like 'Back to the Future' and 'Donnie Darko.' They tackle deep questions about free will, scientific possibilities, and the cultural significance of time travel narratives, all while debating where they would go if given the chance.
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Time Travel Explores Choice And Consequence
- Time travel stories let us explore cause and effect and fundamental human longings about choices and their consequences.
- Jonathan Russell-Clark says they mainly ask "what if I had made a different choice?" which fuels their narrative power.
Free Will Must Obey Physics
- Jana Levin warns that many time-travel narratives assume free will escapes physical laws, which creates weak internal logic.
- She points to 12 Monkeys as an example where characters remain bound to the same choices despite looping.
Why Part III Wins For One Fan
- Regina Barber says Back to the Future Part III is her favorite because it leans into the Western and gives Doc Brown emotional depth.
- She highlights Doc's romance, despair, and triumphant train sequence as underrated elements.