Time is often referred to as the fourth dimension of the space-time continuum. Unlike the three dimensions of space that we keep trying (with varying degrees of success) to recreate in entertainment media, it is often likened to a straight line. The chagrin of would-be time travelers everywhere, it also appears to move in only one direction. General Relativity may allow for time to pass more quickly or slowly under certain conditions, but it always marches to the inexorable end.

But what if we could break “the arrow of time”, and turn it back on itself. What would that mean? How would it be done? And what would the consequences be?

Many geek interests have tackled this subject, and more than a few have seeped into the minds of the 18-35 general audience. Come on a time journey with us…
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Since the alphabet is the building block of our language, the Powet Alphabet is the building block of what makes us geeks.

The whole world is 3D, so maybe I should be more specific. This article is to discuss the optical effect of making something appear 3D to a human viewer. This effect can be done a number of ways, but in pretty much all instances this is achieved by having each eye see a different image to create the illusion of depth.

Close one eye at a time and you’ll see that each eye sees something slightly different. This is the real trick to 3D called paralax. The left eye needs to see an image as it would appear from a few inches to the left than the right eye and your brain is smart enough to use this to extrapolate depth. An easy way of showing this to be the real source of the effect is to try closing one eye while using pretty much any kind of 3D technology, and you will see the effect disappear.

Iconic blue and red 3D glasses

Since the alphabet is the building block of our language, the Powet Alphabet is the building block of what makes us geeks.

I know many followers of the site were expecting me to do Transformers for T. I think one of the great things about this article series, though, is the randomness and variety of topics we span from week to week. I like to see articles that I don’t necessarily expect on familiar and/or unfamiliar topics. I could not think of anything more random and unexpected than just about anything from a Tick story. For that very reason T is for The Tick.

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