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Lesson 1-1 - Parallel Universes

Escher's Relativity
The first allusion to parallel universes occurs very early on in the series, in the season 1 episode I, Roommate. Bender and Fry are hunting for apartments, when they come across one similar to M.C. Escher's lithograph print. Bender tumbles down one of the stairways, and then continues to fall from dimension to dimension.

Fry makes the comment, "I'm not sure we want to pay for a dimension we're not goning to use." This contrasts with the nature of the original work, which is meant to portray a sort of utopian structure.

Relativity (see Figure 1-1) may seem to be an intimidating piece of art when first approached, but it has a definite meaning. There are two gravity sources in the picture, and three stairways that can be climbed. However, each inhabitant has a limited amount of space in which he can move. If he were to enter a space that did not include his original spot of gravity, he would fall out.

Perhaps this is more relevant to roommate than anyone, with the need for privacy gaining so much attention in friend-friend living situations.

Figure 1-1

The Parallel Tourist Trap
The season 2 episode I Dated a Robot shows only a single parallel universe. The only difference is that all of the inhabitants wear cowboy hats. Other than this small (one-off joke) point, the universes are identical right down to their events, which is exemplified with both groups of characters being at the same place in their respective universes.

The deepness here can be found in the simplicity. Often in the speculative fiction genre, other universes are seen as weird and, sometimes, chaotic. However, if the conditions in that universe were perfect enough to foster life, then they cannot be too dissimilar to the universe around us. Therefore, it is not entirely far-fetched to imagine that the differences between us would be found only in the details, such as current hat fashions.


Theories from The Farnsworth Parabox
The Farnsworth Parabox introduces some interesting ideas on the matter of parallel universes. A total of nine are introduced, and the idea of an infinite amount of self-producing universes is portrayed.

The main universe, or Universe A, is the most similar to our own universe. However, in a few of the other parallel universes shown to be connected to Universe A the differences are slight.

Universe 1 is the first universe visited, and in it the main difference of coin flips is always the reciprocal. This is shown through the difference in Bender A's and Bender 1's metal colors, and the difference in Leela A/Fry A's and Leela 1/Fry 1's relationships.

Universe 3, which is not actually given a name in the episode nor is it actually shown, seems to have the difference in its weather. Fry sticks his head into one of the boxes, and when he takes it back out again his had has been frozen. Universe 4, the other unnamed universe, possesses the quality of a sort of love delirium. Professor Farnsworth sticks his head into the box, and when he takes it out he is covered in lipstick.

The characters then proceed to explore several other universes, which are given names related to their properties. In Universe 25, the characters are all the same as in Universe A, aside from the fact they do not have eyes. Universe 1729 is inhabited by bobble-head versions of the characters; while in Universe 31 the characters are robots. Universe XVII is only seen for a moment, and its sole inhabitant is a toga-wearing professor that seems to be doing some sort of mathematic problem in Roman numerals. The final destination, Universe 420 contains obviously stoned versions of Professor Farnsworth and Amy.

These universes are not particularly interesting aside from their comical value. Rather, it is the ending of the episode which contains the most intriguing element. Farnsworth 1 and Farnsworth A both pull their own universes into themselves. According to a holgraphic diagram (Figure 1-2a) created by the two Farnsworths, the box contains the universe. But as we see in the episode, the universe also contains the box, otherwise the box would not be visible from inside of the universe. This creates a sort of chicken-egg chain, in which each universe contains a box, while each box contains the universe.

However, this should not be taken as meaning each box contains an identical universe, but that both the box is contained inside of the universe, and vice versa. If you were to leap into the box, you would simply be tossed back out again. This is portrayed by Figure 1-2b, in which each square represents Box A, and each circle represents Universe A.

Figure 1-2a

Figure 1-2b





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