Hi friends! Happy Friday. I hope you've had a wonderful week so far! Luke and I recently watched an episode of Doctor Who (and it inspired me to look into some cases where people believe that they have experienced time travel). I also have been seeing a lot of people "claiming" that they are time travellers or that they think people are time travellers - which to me is so far-fetched but let's take a sociological look at it!
Disclaimer - time travel has not been scientifically proven. I personally don't know if it's possible. I mean it would be cool, but it's likely not real so this blog is for entertainment purposes only.
Don't forget to check out my YouTube video on this too!
According to Wikipedia, "Time travel is the hypothetical activity of traveling into the past or the future. Time travel is a widely recognized concept in philosophy and fiction, particularly science fiction."
I think there are plenty of theories in philosophy and metaphysics that talk about time travel, from Einstein's theory of relativity - which has the flow of time as something that isn't constant, to wormholes - a hypothetical structure that connects separate tunnels to each other in space, all the way to quantum mechanics - a theory that describes the behaviour of things below the atoms. These are all theories that I'm not an expert in and they definitely make my brain hurt BUT I do encourage you to look them up to get a basic understanding as to why some people will talk about time travel being hypothetically possible.
And as I'm a sociologist, we're gonna talk about the sociology of why people might be self-identifying as a time traveller OR think that there are time travellers out there BUT first, let's take a look at some examples.
TikTok Time Travel Examples
https://www.tiktok.com/@jimmmofficial/video/7336652438981676331?q=time%20traveller&t=1727743372194 from user jimmmofficial. I'm 99% sure this guy is just trolling his audience but lots of people believe him.
https://www.tiktok.com/@alecschaal/video/7363029930839526698 from user alecschaal. Now, this one is relatively old and there's a whole series to it and it definitely caused some controversy because of things people were claiming, but how do you just assume that someone is a time traveller??? Like there has to be another way into this guy's house. The best explanation that I have for this particular video is that he was trying to sell his Air BnB house and wanted to get some traction to it - maybe it's a squatter or it was set up, but I do know for sure it's definitely not a time traveller.
https://www.tiktok.com/@katannaclarke/video/7156440549828939051?q=time%20traveller&t=1727743697442 from user katannaclarke. I think this one is just a joke or satire or rage bait because there's not a lot on her account about it, a few other videos but the vibes are giving silly if that makes sense.
https://www.tiktok.com/@radianttimetraveler/video/7395718962987797803?q=time%20traveller%202025&t=1727743859779 from user radianttimetraveler otherwise known as Mr Eno I think. Like I get that people make predictions but if you were a real-time traveller your last ones would have come true would they not? Or are you in a different universe? I guess if a "time traveller" got something wrong, then this is something that they could claim - that it happened in another timeline. I think this guy just has too much time on his hands - ha.
https://www.tiktok.com/@thisunknownplanet/video/7247991680056577298?q=time%20traveller&t=1727744054198 from user thisunknownplanet. I read some of the comments for this one, and many say it's just editing but there are a few that say it's also teleportation and idk man, it's weird - but I think it's just clever editing.
https://www.tiktok.com/@lornaregionaltransport/video/7220040416471616774?q=time%20traveller&t=1727744054198 from user lornaregionaltransport. I am 100% convinced that this is a joke because they are a comedian.
Alrighty, now that we've taken a look at some examples, let's dig a little deeper with our sociological imaginations are kinda explain what these phenomena of self-inflicted time travellers is!
The Phenomenon of Self-Inflicted Time Travellers
In a world where sci-fi dreams run wild and the mysterious unknown beckons, it's no shocker that there are folks out there who wholeheartedly swear they're time-traveling wizards. Whether it's wild social media tales of futuristic gadgets or adamant individuals recounting their adventures in past epochs, this quirky phenomenon sure makes you wonder about reality, selfhood, and the wacky wonders of our minds. So, what's the deal with these modern-day time-hoppers? Buckle up, let's take a journey to find out!
The allure of escapism - For many, the idea of time travel offers an escape from the complexities and challenges of contemporary life. It’s a chance to step away from the mundane and immerse oneself in a different era—whether that’s the glitz of the Roaring Twenties or the uncertainty of the future. This escapism can be intoxicating, allowing individuals to create elaborate narratives that provide a sense of adventure and excitement, something that they might not be able to get in their everyday lives. It's similar to how people use video games or social media as a form of escapism (Jouhki & Oksanen, 2022).
The influence of media and pop culture - Movies, books, and TV shows have popularised the concept of time travel, sparking imagination, curiosity, and wonder. Think of classics like "Back to the Future," "Doctor Who," or "The Time Machine." These stories often romanticise the idea of jumping through time, giving people a framework to envision themselves as part of this thrilling narrative. The more one engages with these stories, the more plausible it can feel to step into the role of a time traveller. Although such pop culture is often just fairytale-like stories, some people want to experience that same sort of drive (Wittenberg, 2016).
Feeling out of place - Some individuals may feel disconnected from their lives, sometimes leading them to identify with other times or places. This sense of being “out of sync” can manifest as nostalgia for a past they never lived or a longing for a future that seems more appealing than their current reality. By claiming to be time travellers, they can give voice to their feelings of alienation and create a narrative that makes sense of their experiences and is often suggestive to onlookers.
Dreams + past life memories - Reports of vivid dreams or memories from different eras can further fuel beliefs in time travel. Some people might interpret these experiences as glimpses into their past lives or alternate realities, feeling a strong connection to the figures/people they dream about (Debus, 2014). This blending of personal mythology and imagination can create a compelling case for their belief in time travel because it blurs the boundaries between the real and unreal. Yep, I did it again, I brought hyperreality into it.
Community + identity - Online forums and communities centred around time travel discussions can also foster a sense of belonging for those who share similar beliefs or thoughts. In these online spaces, individuals can exchange experiences, theories, and stories, reinforcing their identities as time travellers. This social aspect can be incredibly validating, providing a supportive environment where unconventional ideas are celebrated. One example is this forum - https://www.scified.com/forum/spacetime. There is also a reddit subreddit dedicated to time travel.
Psychological factors - I just want to say I am not a psychologist and this is just an idea that may help explain why people think they are time travellers. However, it is not the case for every single person but I think it's one that is important to consider. From a psychological perspective, some individuals might be drawn to the idea of time travel due to cognitive biases or mental health issues. Concepts like pareidolia (seeing patterns in random stimuli) or confabulation (the brain filling in gaps with fabricated memories) can lead some to believe in their time-travel experiences. In these cases, the phenomenon becomes less about actual belief in time travel and more about the brain’s incredible capacity for imagination, interpretation, and false memories. Some people could be so caught up in the time travel theory that they forget to look at it logically.
The quest for meaning - The belief in time travel often reflects a deeper human desire for meaning and understanding. In a universe that can feel chaotic and unpredictable, the notion of traversing time offers a semblance of control. It provides a framework to explore personal history, societal change, and even future possibilities. It can give people that sense of control, especially if that's what they are seeking so deeply.
I feel like we also need to look at some case studies, because why not, ya know?
Case Studies of "Time Travellers"
John Titor - During 2000 and 2001, there was an internet user who went by the pseudonyms John Titor and TimeTraveler_0. This user claimed to be a time traveller from the year 2036 that was American and served in the military. Titor believed that the theory "many-worlds interpretation" was fundamentally correct, meaning that every time travel paradox of such were impossible. Titor's main claims/predictions were that there would be a Civil War in America in 2008 and a short nuclear war in 2015. We don't know for sure, but it is suggested that this was all a hoax by entertainment lawyer Larry Haber and his computer scientist brother - but it has never been confirmed nor denied. Spooky.
Andrew Basiago - Since 2004, attorney Basiago has claimed to have participated in a secret American government programme called "Project Pegasus" in the 1970s, which he alleges involved time travel and teleportation. Basiago asserts that he travelled to various points in history, including the Gettysburg Address and the year 2045. He has shared his experiences in interviews and presentations, describing how these adventures impacted his life. While some find his story compelling, skeptics question the authenticity of his claims due to a lack of corroborating evidence. I'm pretty sure Project Pegasus wasn't real but allegedly, it's a precursor to the next conspiracy theory the Montauk Project.
Rudolph Fentz - According to legend, Fentz randomly appeared in Times Square, NY in 1951, dressed in 19th-century clothing. He was confused and disoriented, unable to explain how he got there. Fentz was said to have carried strange items from his time, including a brass tag with his name, a 19th-century coin, and a letter addressed to him from 1876. Fentz was apparently reporting missing from the past and then was never seen again, which naturally led to speculation about his originals and time travel. This one can be explained as Fentz was a character in a story but that story got taken out of context and turned into an urban legend.
These case studies illustrate the diverse ways individuals have engaged with the concept of time travel, blending personal experiences, imagination, and the quest for meaning. While skeptics often question the validity of these claims, the stories themselves continue to captivate audiences, fueling our collective fascination with the possibilities of time and space.
What do you think we will see next? Or maybe a better question to ponder is who will be the next self-proclaimed time traveller?
Thanks so much for reading!
Much love,
Ash xoxo
References/Readings
Baumeister, R. F., Hofmann, W., Summerville, A., Reiss, P. T., & Vohs, K. D. (2020). Everyday thoughts in time: Experience sampling studies of mental time travel. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(12), 1631-1648.
Debus, D. (2014). ‘Mental time travel’: remembering the past, imagining the future, and the particularity of events. Review of Philosophy and Psychology, 5, 333-350.
Du, M. (2022, January). The Theoretical Basis and Feasibility of Time Travel. In 2021 International Conference on Social Development and Media Communication (SDMC 2021) (pp. 252-257). Atlantis Press.
Jouhki, H., & Oksanen, A. (2022). To get high or to get out? Examining the link between addictive behaviors and escapism. Substance Use & Misuse, 57(2), 202-211.
Wittenberg, D. (2016). Time travel: The popular philosophy of narrative. Fordham University Press.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel_claims_and_urban_legends
Most of the times I believe timetravel should be possible. Parallel universes, multiverses, time loop, time travel just thinking about it makes me ecstatic 🤯
Oooh! What an interesting topic! I’ve always loved reading or watching anything related to time travelling. And it makes sense it’s a form of escapism. It would be cool, though, wouldn’t it?