Choose two of the "other worlds" described in the unit. Compare and contrast the ways these other worlds impacted the real world for the characters.
The other worlds are a sound of thunder Bradbury
and The Last Question by Isaac Asimov.
In "A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury, the other world is a prehistoric era in the past, which is accessed through time travel. The impact of this other world on the real world for the characters is significant. Eckels, the main character, goes on a hunting trip to kill a dinosaur in the past, and the slightest alteration in this prehistoric environment results in a ripple effect that changes the course of history. When Eckels accidentally steps off the path and kills a butterfly, he alters the timeline, leading to drastic changes in the present. When he returns to his present, he finds subtle differences in the world, such as different spelling, currency, and political leaders. This showcases the butterfly effect and demonstrates how even a small action in the other world can have a profound impact on the future.
In "The Last Question" by Isaac Asimov, the other world is a distant future, where humans have harnessed the power of the Multivac supercomputer and attained near-immortality through technology. The impact of this other world on the real world for the characters is also significant. The story follows different characters throughout various time periods, all with one central question in mind: how to reverse the inevitable law of entropy and restore order to the universe. As the story progresses, various solutions are proposed, and Multivac evolves into a mega-computer capable of solving the ultimate question. In the final scene, it is revealed that Multivac itself has evolved into a being of pure energy and produces the answer to the question, "Let there be light." This results in the creation of a new universe, leaving the characters in awe of the power and potential of their future world.
While both stories involve other worlds that impact the real world in significant ways, their differences lie in the time periods and the scale of these impacts. In "A Sound of Thunder," the impact is localized and focuses on the immediate consequences of changing the past. The changes are limited to the environment surrounding Eckels and his companions. On the other hand, in "The Last Question," the impact is universal and encompasses the entire future of humanity. The characters in this story witness the transformation of the world and experience the birth of a brand-new universe.
Overall, both stories highlight the concept of cause and effect and how actions in other worlds can lead to profound consequences in the real world. However, while Bradbury's story emphasizes the fragility of the timeline and the potential chaos that can result from altering the past even slightly, Asimov's story explores the power of advanced technology and the potential for humans to shape their own destiny in the distant future.