The thing is that if time travel really was possible, this idea would actually work. The homework would be an ontological paradox. Nobody ever wrote it. He would just get it from the future and later give it to himself.
I think this is called a closed loop – like trying to get power from an extension cord plugged into itself or trying to step in a bucket and pick it up from within.
“Relax. We’ll be back as soon as we go.” This is how my older brother got me on my first roller coaster ride of terror. Earned him a kick in the kneecaps. Great fun!
@Gigantor: So, if Calvin in the future gave the assignment to Calvin in the time machine from the past, it seems like Calvin in the future wouldn’t have the piece of paper to turn in at school the next day. Perhaps he would need to make a photocopy before handing the original to Calvin in the time machine.
The most fun I ever had was flying from Europe to NYC on the day of the summer timechange, which happens on a different date on each side of the Atlantic. Sometimes it’s a week apart, sometimes two. Anyway…I got to NYC an hour before I left on the same day.
That’s really not possible: Calvin hasn’t done that homework, has no intention of doing it – how could he possibly bring it back from the future if it never existed anyway? Maybe he hopes to bring back another student’s work? And pass it off as his?
My time machine was our garage. Me and my space dog travelled to many different planets and killed all the bad life forms, usually dandelions on the lawn, with my space stick.
How can a boy with the imagination Calvin has be having such a difficult time writing a story for class??? His head should be SO full of ideas that the hard part would be . . . choosing which one he wants to write about! ;-)
rentier over 12 years ago
I hope I will learn playing the organ in this way, go to future and bring it back to present!
Pirate Mike creator over 12 years ago
This kid and boxes are a dangerous combination.
margueritem over 12 years ago
Oh, good question!
torn newspaper over 12 years ago
Calvin is probably going to end up at the next day, where the teacher is yelling at him for not completing his assignment.
Smoocher over 12 years ago
seems a bit back and forward for a while
Vandal00 over 12 years ago
Good question, Hobbes.
orinoco womble over 12 years ago
There once was a lady named Bright,Who could travel much faster than light.She took off one day in an Einsteinian wayAnd arrived the preceding night.
GROG Premium Member over 12 years ago
I don’t need to travel through time to know that this outcome is not possible.
Puddleglum2 over 12 years ago
“Say kids, what time is it?”
Hobbes Premium Member over 12 years ago
In the last panel, Hobbes looks like he’s trying really hard to think inside the box.
Aaberon over 12 years ago
Very, VERY good! I like the way you think.
battle of plattsburgh over 12 years ago
Maybe he could write a story about a kid who goes into the future with his pet tiger and………
prasrinivara over 12 years ago
LOL, wait’ll you get an A+ for a story where you AREN’t in favourable light (spoiler).
dml337ira over 12 years ago
“Relax, we’ll be back as soon as we go…” Brilliant!
William Bednar Premium Member over 12 years ago
Einstein is spinning in his grave about now!
Gigantor over 12 years ago
The thing is that if time travel really was possible, this idea would actually work. The homework would be an ontological paradox. Nobody ever wrote it. He would just get it from the future and later give it to himself.
Phosphoros over 12 years ago
I think this is called a closed loop – like trying to get power from an extension cord plugged into itself or trying to step in a bucket and pick it up from within.
Rakkav over 12 years ago
Obviously not everyone has seen this arc before. Just you wait, 3/4 of you will be very surprised.
Vonne Anton over 12 years ago
“Relax. We’ll be back as soon as we go.” This is how my older brother got me on my first roller coaster ride of terror. Earned him a kick in the kneecaps. Great fun!
Rakkav over 12 years ago
Cartoon Physics (“Only When It’s Funny”).
fmasroor over 12 years ago
I think I remember this series… We can only guess the loophole in his argument.
Hobbes Premium Member over 12 years ago
@Gigantor: So, if Calvin in the future gave the assignment to Calvin in the time machine from the past, it seems like Calvin in the future wouldn’t have the piece of paper to turn in at school the next day. Perhaps he would need to make a photocopy before handing the original to Calvin in the time machine.
orinoco womble over 12 years ago
The most fun I ever had was flying from Europe to NYC on the day of the summer timechange, which happens on a different date on each side of the Atlantic. Sometimes it’s a week apart, sometimes two. Anyway…I got to NYC an hour before I left on the same day.
The Life I Draw Upon over 12 years ago
Well, he did think of it outside the box.
cookies333 over 12 years ago
he’s too young to be doing homework
rolleg over 12 years ago
That’s really not possible: Calvin hasn’t done that homework, has no intention of doing it – how could he possibly bring it back from the future if it never existed anyway? Maybe he hopes to bring back another student’s work? And pass it off as his?
Number Three over 12 years ago
Classic and Cute!
I love Calvin and Hobbes!
xxx
ratlum over 12 years ago
The real Hobbes is right sitting in the box does look weird.
bmonk over 12 years ago
Hobbes actually looks irritated in this strip.
+++++
And Calvin should write about going into the future to pick up his story. . . .
khpage over 12 years ago
But if you left before, would you be here now?
randandready over 12 years ago
If he would just write down what he is doing the story would write itself
Hobbes Premium Member over 12 years ago
@Night-Gaunt9: And now it’s been 20 years since all of this began, and Calvin still hasn’t written the story.
guswild over 12 years ago
My time machine was our garage. Me and my space dog travelled to many different planets and killed all the bad life forms, usually dandelions on the lawn, with my space stick.
Cornelius Robinson Premium Member over 12 years ago
This is my favorite arc of C&H!
rh Premium Member over 12 years ago
There are reputable scientists who say that time travel will happen some day, that it’s just a matter of time (yuk, yuk).
Gretchen's Mom over 12 years ago
How can a boy with the imagination Calvin has be having such a difficult time writing a story for class??? His head should be SO full of ideas that the hard part would be . . . choosing which one he wants to write about! ;-)
jgcp1 over 12 years ago
The Time Machine arc has to be the best!