...you picked up a book that was titled, "The Life of [insert your own name here]" and once you started reading you realized it is about you talking about what you did and if you keep reading you could actually find out about what you are going to do tomorrow, etc?
The book appears to be about 250 pages in thickness, size of a pocket novel, but amazingly seems to fit all the content that is needed. (Hey if your gonna suspend reality for a book that contains your entire life, you might as well believe that too).
This is kind of an idea for a story I have—of course, the story would be about a fictional character finding or coming across this book and then what he does with this information.
Posted by Sean Monahan (Member # 9334) on :
The first thing I would think is, "why would anyone want to read this boring piece of crap?"
Then I would read it, up to 5/18/08. I would take special note of what page that was on, and how many more pages were left. I honestly am not sure what I would do at that point. I would be scared to read the rest of it, but I probably would not be able to resist reading at least one or two more pages.
However, I have already discovered that there actually is a short story about me. It's by Mike Resnick, and it's called Travels With My Cats.
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
I would probably read it up to the current date, photocopy the next page or two without reading, then confirm that they actually are accurate. At this point, I'd probably either throw away or destroy the book. I really don't care to know what is going to happen for the rest of my life, but I also know that it would only be a matter of time before I broke down and read the whole thing.
Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :
I would take note of how many pages comprises 1 year, then divide the number of remaing pages by that number, im guessing the final number would be at least 300-400 years.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:This is kind of an idea for a story I have—of course, the story would be about a fictional character finding or coming across this book and then what he does with this information.
I know I've read several stories that include this basic premise, but I can't remember what any of them are right now.
There's something similar to that in Terry Pratchett's Mort, but IIRC those books were being continually written, and you couldn't see the future with them.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Sm34rZ: ...you picked up a book that was titled, "The Life of [insert your own name here]" and once you started reading you realized it is about you talking about what you did and if you keep reading you could actually find out about what you are going to do tomorrow, etc?
The book appears to be about 250 pages in thickness, size of a pocket novel, but amazingly seems to fit all the content that is needed. (Hey if your gonna suspend reality for a book that contains your entire life, you might as well believe that too).
This is kind of an idea for a story I have—of course, the story would be about a fictional character finding or coming across this book and then what he does with this information.
I'd wonder whether you saw the movie "Stranger than Fiction".
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
Um, first thing I'd probably do is read what I did tomorrow and see if I could defy it.
Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :
quote:Originally posted by T:man: I would take note of how many pages comprises 1 year, then divide the number of remaing pages by that number, im guessing the final number would be at least 300-400 years.
And you say math is stupid. Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
The obvious thing to do is to start writing in the margins..." he suddenly realised he could fly,and was a billionair!" WOOT! can't wait for that book.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I'd be skeptical. There's no reason to suppose that the rest would be accurate -- the past and present are fully knowable.
But I'd read it.
Posted by Elmer's Glue (Member # 9313) on :
I'd flip to the last page.
Posted by Darth_Mauve (Member # 4709) on :
I would play the lottery tomorrow, playing the numbers that I used to win the lottery tomorrow, that I discovered by reading the book tonight.
Posted by Starsnuffer (Member # 8116) on :
oh ziiing from c3po, t:man.
I think I would not read it, it's just like ruining a good movie, where's the surprise when you meet that cute girl then, or when you find out you won the Nobel prize. I'd read it if I was getting depressed and plotting to kill myself and read up to that point and see if things got better enough to be worth going on. Or rather, since this is pre-determination it's more like I'd read it and see if I really do kill myself soon etc. Not like I could change it unless whiteout is an acceptable change, in that case I'd write in a few choice statements.
Posted by rollainm (Member # 8318) on :
The Neverending Story.
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
quote:Originally posted by rollainm: The Neverending Story.
Yeah, but if it ended.
Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
I'd flip to the last page. If I discover I lived a long pain free life I'd do all the things I normally wouldn't do. Sky dive, climb a mountain or two. Maybe a dangerous trek across Death Vally, why not I already know it won't kill me.
I'd buy one of those large NASA style countdown timers.
I'd plan my own funeral where I would give my own eulogy via taped message. I'd be my own speaker for the dead.
I'd bet a bookie I'd die of natural causes on X day. Then I'd have them bury me with the book.
Posted by steven (Member # 8099) on :
I'd go skydiving, I'd go Rocky Mountain climbing, I'd go 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu.
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
Great, another lame book where the hero dies in the end.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
I'd read a little into the future, then try to change it. Then I'd see if the book changed to match my changes.
Only then would I read to the end.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
And the remainder of the book is She read and read and read and read and read...
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)