Episode 3 - The Outsider Problem

In this episode, we talk about an oft-overlooked complication to Variable Thread travel: when a traveler changes the past and creates a new thread, they also create another version of themselves. We go over several options for mitigating this, and even touch on the death of the VCR and the hosts' faulty memories. We also discuss the ramifications of traveling forward in time in a Variable Thread story.

New Guidelines:

For Variable Thread time travel, make sure you address the Outsider Problem, via either the narrative or mode of travel.

New Questions:

How does your story handle the Outsider Problem?

Media References:

Movies & TV:
Back to the Future
Back to the Future II
The Butterfly Effect
Ducktales
Journeyman
Quantum Leap
Travelers
X-Men: Days of Future Past

Comics:
Timshifters, Chris Grine

Games:
Time Stories
Loop, Inc.