Time traveling is possible

So this might sound a little on the crazy side, but hear me out. I heard this concept a while back from someone I met casually. It always happens with me, I don't really like having shallow conversations that much, and in one way or another, I'm always pushing to take the dialogue into the realm of philosophy. I don't care much about cars, I certainly don't care at all about clothe brands, none of that stuff. So, I'm always throwing out some crazy ideas, some wild ways that I look at things to see what catches on and takes over the conversation.

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In one of those occasions at my old job, I decided to throw out the possibility that time travel is practically possible, yet not theoretically so. Of course, the first few seconds those who were around me, listening to my ridiculous assertion took a step back, but you would be surprised how I got them to agree.

Ok, I know you started to type a comment and you think @meno has officially lost it. As a matter of fact a regular visitor of this blog asked me if I was losing it the other day, and I can't blame him. I do like to think about weird things, but unlike what you would expect, thinking about them does not hurt my head in the slightest. Writing them down, actually makes me feel better. So, before you tell me to seek help, let me ask you some questions.

How do you know time has passed? Meaning, what mechanisms are you using to measure what has happened in your life? The things you have seen, the people you've talked to, the events that shaped you, all of that. How do you make sense of it all?

Could the answer be memories? Yes, that makes sense. At a basic level, the way you remember things, the way your brain stores each event, each conversation, each emotional state, is precisely how you gauge time. So, let me ask you this, what happens if you can alter your memories? What happens if you can remember things differently, or forget?

If your past is just a collection of memories, then who is to say you can change the collection? And that is effectively time traveling. Now, you are going to tell me it's not, because you never went back in reality. Yes, of course I get that, but what if you don't know that. At least, what if you don't know anymore. What difference would it make to you? to me?

Imagine, just imagine for a second that you could modify the most painful experience you've ever had. Imagine that you reacted differently, imagine that the person who broke your heart, you never loved anyways, etc. Process that thought experiment in your head for just a minute and then attempt to embrace that momentary reality, and visit the emulated you.

Now, I know that emulated self is fleeting. You won't be able to hold on to it for long. But, let me ask you. How did it feel? Did you feel some weight off your shoulders be lifted? - I can only speak from personal experience, but honestly... Every time I do this, I gain a lot of perspective, a lot, and just for that, I find the thought experiment very valuable.

Now, do you see what I mean by practical time traveling and not theoretical? - What a way to start a Saturday morning, right?