Chapter 1: The Impact of Choice

In a world where choices create divergent paths, Ted Chiang stands out as a remarkable voice in speculative fiction. His narratives prompt profound reflections about the future and our potential selves, often delivering more insight than conventional self-help literature. His story, initially featured in a New York Times-recognized collection from 2019, is now available in paperback, allowing readers to engage with its ideas for the first time online.

Nat was on edge, wishing for a cigarette, but company rules prohibited smoking indoors. With Morrow still absent and time ticking away, her anxiety grew. Just then, the door chimed. But instead of Morrow, an individual in an orange sweater entered, declaring, “I have a prism to sell.”

Setting her phone aside, Nat replied, “Let’s take a look.”

The man approached and placed a sizable prism on the counter, resembling a briefcase. After assessing its recent activation date and remaining capacity, Nat prepared to initiate a connection. She unfolded the keyboard, tapped the ONLINE button, and waited.

“He might be stuck in traffic,” the man suggested.

“It’s fine,” she replied, trying to reassure herself. The ready light flickered on. She typed a simple test message.

[Keyboard test.]

Moments later, the reply flashed on the screen:

[Looks good.]

Switching to video mode, Nat's image appeared on the display. Her parallel self acknowledged her, saying, “Mic test.”

“Loud and clear,” Nat confirmed, momentarily distracted by the necklace worn by her counterpart. If they purchased the prism, she'd inquire about it later.

As she quoted a price, disappointment washed over the man. “Is that all?”

“That’s its value,” she stated firmly.

“I thought prisms appreciated over time.”

“They do, but not immediately. If this were five years old, we’d be discussing a different price.”

“What if the other branch has something noteworthy happening?”

“Then that could change the offer,” Nat pointed out. “Does the other branch have something interesting going on?”

“I... don’t know.”

“You’ll need to do your homework and return if you want a better deal.”

The man hesitated, then decided, “Can I take a minute?”

“Of course.”

After a brief exchange with his parallel self, he said, “Thanks, we’ll return later.” He folded up the prism and exited.

Nat returned to the last customer, wrapping up their transaction before preparing for the next group of clients. Just as she finished, Morrow burst through the door, carrying a large cardboard box.

“Cutting it close, aren’t we?” Nat whispered.

“Yeah, I know the schedule,” he replied with nonchalance.

Morrow set the box down and emerged with the prism, which he quickly configured for the next customer. As the clock struck four, the ready lights illuminated, prompting each customer to engage with their parallel selves.

Nat followed Morrow into the office. “What took you so long?” she inquired.

“I was with one of the aides at the home,” he explained, recalling his visit to Mrs. Oehlsen, a widow in her seventies. Their regular meetings had provided her with companionship through her parallel self, especially after her recent health decline. “She has pneumonia,” Morrow informed Nat.

“Is it serious?”

“Very. The aide believes she won’t last more than a month.”

“Wow, that’s unfortunate.”

“Yeah,” he scratched his chin thoughtfully. “But it sparked an idea.”

Intrigued, Nat asked, “What’s your plan?”

“I can handle this one solo.”

“Fine with me. I have enough on my plate.”

“Right, you’ve got a meeting tonight. How’s that going?”

Nat shrugged, “It’s hard to gauge. I think I’m making headway.”

Each prism was a marvel of technology, allowing communication across divergent timelines created by quantum measurements. When activated, a prism generates two potential outcomes, allowing individuals to exchange information through a shared array of ions.

The goal was to enhance the prism’s capabilities, allowing for richer communication. While the latest models boasted gigabyte capacities, many users craved real-time interaction, often burning through their prism’s data quickly.

Nat’s regular appointment was with Teresa, a woman grappling with relationship issues stemming from her past. Their discussions often revolved around the choices Teresa faced, particularly in light of a recent encounter with an ex-boyfriend.

Today, however, Teresa’s demeanor shifted. “I consulted with Crystal Ball during lunch,” she began.

“About what?” Nat asked, bracing for the answer.

“I wanted to know what my life would have looked like if I had married Andrew.”

“What did they say?”

“They said maybe. They explained how it works, and it sounded complicated.”

Nat listened intently as Teresa elaborated on the potential costs and uncertainties involved in seeking parallel versions of herself.

Dana, Nat's therapist, chimed in during a separate session. “Not everything is under our control, or anyone’s control,” she emphasized, discussing the importance of personal responsibility in decision-making.

As Nat navigated her own choices, she began to reflect on the intrinsic value of her actions. A video featuring Søren Kierkegaard explored the notion that anxiety stems from the dizzying possibilities of freedom.

In another video, the philosophical implications of anxiety were discussed, highlighting the existential dilemmas faced by individuals.

Chapter 2: The Weight of Responsibility

As Nat delved deeper into her own experiences, she began to understand the interconnectedness of her choices and the lives they affected. The prisms represented more than just technology; they were a mirror reflecting the consequences of her actions across multiple realities.

With each decision, she pondered the potential ramifications on her parallel selves. As she prepared to transition away from her prism, she found solace in the notion that her journey toward self-improvement could resonate across branches, ultimately shaping better versions of herself in the future.

In the ensuing weeks, Nat confronted her past while also embracing the present. She understood that while prisms might offer glimpses into alternative choices, the essence of who she was remained rooted in her actions today.

With a newfound clarity, Nat resolved to continue her journey of self-discovery, navigating the complexities of choice, responsibility, and the myriad paths her life could take.