I have seen many thoughts and theories on different message boards that voiced the circular nature of time in WoT as something bad. If everything is predestined, if my efforts will make no difference, why bother? Possibly though, this could not be farther from the truth.
The glossary says as follows: "As the Wheel turns, the Ages come and go, each leaving memories that [...] are forgotten by the time that Age comes again. The pattern of an Age is slightly different each time an Age comes, and each time it is subject to greater change, but each time it is the same Age."
Time does not repeat itself perfectly. Slight changes happen. So what does "slight" mean in this case? Well, in the grand scheme of things, this might imply greater changes than we would guess. I mean, in what perspective are these variations "slight"? On a personal level, a world-wide level, a galactical level? Universal? Even if we see them merely as slight on the level of our world, such variations as the length of a life-thread or the taking or non-taking of a certain action could well be considered small.
I believe that "slight" here is in terms of how it affects the Pattern. Different family/nation ruling the world? Not a big deal. People get married differently? Not a big deal. Even earthquakes and such may be considered slight. But anything affecting the outcome of that Age would not change, unless, of course, the DO gained control.
But then comes the chaos theory, saying that even the smallest actions may have great consequences. If, for example the Dragon was to die at Tarmon Gai'don or two days before, the Age might consider this a slight variation, but it would likely change the outcome of the battle.
If the Dark One had lived eternally imprisoned, he would probably try to make things differently each time he got the chance in order to gain the upper hand. What changes might have been introduced this time that the Previous passings did not see? Two things come to mind: The taint on saidin and Balefire. The variations would indeed be slight - an unexpected backlash here or a new weave introduced there - but the consequences of each would be great. It is, then, quite possible that the Dragon faces one or more aspects this time that has not already been tested and overcome - and the outcome of the war could depend on it.
Now see, this is what I was referring to above. The Dragon dying is not slight, as he is a key player in the Pattern. A recurring soul, a ta'averen cannot die and be considered slight.
Now, not wanting this post to be all too long, I would also like to add a final thought. The Dark One and the Creator are depicted as opposing forces or entities, each an antithesis of the other. We think of the Creator as good and the Dark One as bad, but can we in any way be certain about this? The Creator has in fact given us nothing to suggest that "he" is good. Sure, there was peace and stability when the Dark One was incarcerated, but this only proves that there is stability when one of them is in power and the other is subdued.
What would the Dark One do if he broke free, then? I doubt that he would actually destroy the world, as he is still in some way part of it. Remake it, possibly. The most probable thing to happen is that he would assume control and subdue the creator. Then the tables would turn. The upper entity will control the world but take no part in it, as the effort of keeping the world running probably hinders him from this. And the subdued entity would cause trouble and seek to break free, as no one would prefer being caged to being in control.
And how many times might this not have already happened? If the Dragon wins, the circle is simply reset. If the Dark One wins, there comes a new beginning with a world made in his image. Then the Wheel of Time turns and memories fade - and soon no one even remembers if the opposing enteties switched places or not.
IMO, and I think many people agree with this, the Dark One represents Chaos (Let the Lord of Chaos rule), and the Creator represents stability. Except, as entities, and not really, IMO anyway, beings, they don't just represent these ideas, but ARE these ideas. So, if the DO is released, he will let chaos rule, and not just the world, but the entire UNIVERSE, will be torn asunder. The Pattern will come undone, and the Wheel will go rolling like a hubcap after a car accident. This is the DO's ultimate objective - destroy Creation, undo the Pattern, and let the world be destroyed.
Now, what you have proposed I have actually heard before. The DO and the Creator have switched off many a time already, and while the worlds would certainly be different when one ruled as opposed to another, the memories fade long before it matters. Who knows, maybe when the DO rules, the True Power takes the One Power's place. I personally like my theory (of course, that is because it's my theory
).
At last, I have an apostrophe!
*MySmiley*
Foil fencers Dance the Spears. Or, at least, the foils.
Too stubborn to remove that extraneous *MySmiley*
~The Decapitator~
*MySmiley*
Foil fencers Dance the Spears. Or, at least, the foils.
Too stubborn to remove that extraneous *MySmiley*
~The Decapitator~
On circular time, chaos theory and the Creator/DO-antithesis
- 09/09/2009 08:01:03 PM
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A couple of things.
- 09/09/2009 09:03:13 PM
435 Views