If you believe in String Theory, then odds are you would embrace the notion that at this very moment, as you are reading these words, that at least 12 alternate versions of you are doing something similar, in slightly-out-of-phase universes running parallel to the one you are currently sitting in.  Think about it.  Twelve or so "you's."   What would they be like?  What kind of different lives would you be living?  One of fame and fortune?  Or solitude and destitution?  Are you cool, or are you a prick?  And have those versions of you made the same choices you have?

The cool thing would be to invent a machine (let's call Doc Brown about this) that could put you in that universe with that alternate you.  Because I think that's just as cool as time travel.  To see what your life would be like, if...

In It's a Wonderful Life, George Bailey gets the unique perspective of seeing what the world would have been like if he had never been born.  What if in this alternate universe, you were killed in a car crash that in this universe, you remember just narrowly avoiding because you were late for work and you crossed that intersection where the drunk driver barreled through the red light moments after you crossed it.  Or what if you broke up with that one person here, that in the other universe you never did - and you have children with them?! 

From a writer's perspective, reading about string theory is like opening a vault of stories.  Yes, the TV series Fringe is exploring those realms every Friday night on Fox at 9 PM, 8 PM Central.  But it's a narrow focus.  What is there to think about if you explore the idea of alternate "you's," could be cathartic for some... or a waste of time if the thoughts of things greater than yourself has little value to you. 

I'd like to think of String Theory a little bit like the alternate endings to the movie, Superman II.   How would your life be different if you were Lois Lane and in one hand, you knew that Clark Kent was Superman and you had to keep that a secret and your love for him cast away.  Or if instead, you had no idea of his true identity and you lived your life in hopeful yearning for his affection.  What is better? 

I leave you, thus, with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ0ggWsVi88&list=FLN-qclGqBzdGskhgE1eLHOw&index=1&feature=plpp_video