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The astronaut could take notes, films, tapes, records, etc., of this future
Earth and then be sent back to the day before his original journey was
launched. Upon his arrival back to present-day Earth, the astronaut would
now be 40 years older. However, since it is the day before his original trip
began, his 40 year younger self is also present, and preparing for the original
trip.
At this point the scientists could copy all of the material the older
astronaut brought back from the future. Then the original trip, i.e., the
launching of the younger astronaut, can be canceled, as we would already
have the desired information. When the launch time for the original trip
passes without lift-off, the older astronaut and everything he brought back
with him would vanish because now his trip never took place.
The ability to alter past events presents us with profound responsibilities.
Wars, terrorist acts, disasters, famines, plagues, assassinations, accidents,
scientific breakthroughs, events of religious significance, etc., could be
reversed, averted, confirmed, or disproved. More importantly, these events
could be changed repeatedly. Consequently, whoever possesses such a
technology could rule the world.
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