Non-Linear Learning? (From Trek Related)
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Edje: Don't know if any of this is going to make sense but here goes.

In the discussion boards (can't remember which one), someone said something along the lines of: If the Prophets exist in non-linear time (and therefore experience every moment simultaneously), then they shouldn't need Sisko to explain the concept of linear time to them, they should know that already because they have no future, present or past, and
therefore they already know everything that anyone will ever tell them.

I spent a while thinking over this, as something in the statement didn't seem right. Then I realised- if Sisko didn't explain it, then the prophets would not have the information. Once he had explained, they had always known it, but before he explained, they had not always known it. I know that that sounds strange, but think about it.

If a human (or klingon or whatever) learns a piece of information, they know that for the rest of their lives, or until they forget it. If the prophets learn something, they will always know that, and (and this is is the complicated bit) have always known that. However, before they learn
it, they never knew it. After they learn it they always have known it.

Or something.

Phil: Hmmm. Something indeed! ;-)
By Murray Leeder on Tuesday, November 03, 1998 - 8:26 pm:

Perhaps we can accept that in the future the Prophets will cease to be linear and will use time travel to ensure that everything happens the right way. That's admittedly a far-out theory, but doesn't it work?

By K.N.D. on Wednesday, November 04, 1998 - 3:17 am:

This discussion is starting to sound more and more like some of the religious BBS's tht
I've seen... ;-)

By Phil Farrand on Wednesday, November 04, 1998 - 5:41 am:

Well, DS9 certainly has lingered on the subject of religion more than once! If it's good enough for Trek . . . ;-)

But back to the subject at hand. I still stand by my comments in the DS9 Guide. If the prophets are truly non-linear, if they truly have no past, present or future, I still can't figure out how they could learn anything from Sisko because they would already know it!

By Murray Leeder on Wednesday, November 04, 1998 - 7:43 am:

I don't buy it myself, but I have heard the explanation that for those brief times Sisko imposed his linear nature on them.

By K.N.D. on Wednesday, November 04, 1998 - 3:06 pm:

Heck, it may be ineffable, but it sure is fun!

By Omer on Thursday, November 05, 1998 - 4:03 pm:

Well... but shouldn't Sisko know? I always thought that the prophits organized the entire shareyed for Sisko's sake, so that he'll know hwo everything evolved...

Which wouldn't explain thatFerengy show were they caught Zack... but then nothing will :-)

By Scott McClenny on Sunday, December 27, 1998 - 2:33 pm:

Hmmm..are we getting a bit into the theological
concept of predestination a bit when we talk
about the prophets?
Also if the Prophets knew everything about
Sisko before he met them in Emissary doesn't
that mean that Sisko had no real free will in
the matter?
The seventh season premiere Face in the Sand
seems to indicate that the Prophets kind of
arranged parts of Sisko's life so that he
would become the Emissary,which of course
again raises the question did Sisko have
any free will in the matter at all or was
everything predestined to happen in that way?
I must admit even though I am theologically
a Calvinist just thinking about this causes
me to get headaches,would've made great for
bull sessions back in my Bible School days.

By Jwb52z on Wednesday, December 22, 1999 - 12:55 am:

You've gotta remember that technically Sisko's birth was arranged by the Prophets when his physical mom Jennifer was taken over by a Prophet. In a way, Sisko is part Prophet from birth.

By ScottN on Wednesday, December 22, 1999 - 2:30 pm:

Actually, it was his mother Sarah Sisko. Jennifer was his wife.