Past versus Present Futures
Mike observes how the genre of science fiction has shifted in tone from utopian visions of humanity to a more fractured and tribalistic society, mirroring societal changes in the real world away from embracing globalization to the balkanization of global politics, economics, and culture these days.
From this imperfect future stems the notion of the multiverse. Is it plausible that we are each traversing a unique version of the universe, among an infinitesimal array of variants distinct from ours by some alternate outcome of past events? Or is the concept borne of a form of regret - in order to cope when living in an imperfect world littered with irrational choices, inexplicable tragedy, and random loss?
I was recently discussing science fiction and how fascinating it is to observe the genre's evolution alongside our real-world future. It strikes me that the sci-fi from my childhood felt far more optimistic. Back then, stories often depicted a unified, hopeful future.
In stark contrast, modern sci-fi seems to lean into what I'd call a "cacophony of screw-ups." This often manifests as humanity splintering into isolated factions and tribes, a reflection of the societal shifts we're witnessing today—a divergence from global unity into tribalism, unlike the era of globalization that thrived through the 90s.
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### The Multiverse: A Convenient Plot Device or a Coping Mechanism?
This brings me to a prominent trend in contemporary sci-fi and comic books: the **multiverse** concept. This idea seemed particularly in vogue a few years ago, especially with films like *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* and *Everything Everywhere All at Once* coming out around the same time.
When people ask if I believe in the multiverse—the idea that we live in just one of an infinitesimal number of parallel universes—I have to say, I don't really buy it. Instead, I find the multiverse concept to be more of a convenient **writing tool** for sci-fi authors. It allows them to cover up plot holes or magically detour around inconsistencies by simply saying, "Hey, just kidding! That was just a parallel universe all along." To me, that seems like a more likely origin for the concept.
Furthermore, I have another theory about the multiverse. Playing amateur psychologist for a moment, I believe the idea might be born from a sense of **loss or regret**. I imagine that the first sci-fi writer who conceived of parallel universes might have been someone grappling with a significant loss or a major mistake in their life. When we experience such events, we often find ourselves haunted by those two dreadful questions: "**What if?**" or "**If only I had done this differently.**"
It seems plausible that the multiverse concept, with its infinite possibilities and alternate realities, serves as both a convenient writer's tool and a powerful **coping mechanism** for exploring these 'what if' scenarios, rather than a reflection of reality itself.
