The post by Dan Brickley that I mentioned earlier today, Dilbert schematics, made me start thinking about more complex time scenarios than serial assignment of cubicles.
Like Hermione Granger and Harry Potter’s adventure in the Prisoner of Azkaban.
For those of you who are vague on the story, Hermione uses a “Time-Turner” to go back in time several hours. As a result, she and Harry must avoid being seen by themselves (and others). Works quite well in the story but what if I wanted to model that narrative in a topic map?
Some issues/questions that occurred to me:
Harry and Hermione are the same subjects they were during the prior time interval. Or are they?
Does a linear notion of time mean they are different subjects?
How would I model their interactions with others? Such as Buckbeak? Who interacted with both versions (for lack of a better term) of Harry?
Is there a time line running parallel to the “original” time line?
Just curious, what happens if the Time-Turner fails and Harry and Hermoine don’t return to the present, ever? That is their “current” present is forever 3 hours behind their “real” present.
What other time issues, either in literature or elsewhere seem difficult to model to you?