This article was originally published on Mako
Every now and then, we see or experience things that seem like they can't be real, but, surely, there must be some reasonable explaination for them. Some people call them glitches in the matrix, others call them coincidences, and there are even a few who believe that it's the work of the dark arts, or, maybe, even futuristic technology that allows people to travel through realities. Remember, the pictures in the article below are real, but the stories and characters were created as pardies. Hang on tight because it's time to take a trip down the rabbit hole of possibility to see what we can find...
"The Droste Effect"
When the schoolboard decided to reformat its college prep courses, new textbooks were needed. One with a new look that the students could relate to. A "random" group of people were brought in for the coverpage's photoshoot...or, at least, they thought they were selected at random. Imagine their surprise when they saw the covers of the textbooks that they were given to hold.
Riddle me this readers...how is it that those "students" are holding textbooks that have the picture, that they are, currently, posing for, on their covers already?
"Now, That's A Glitch In The Matrix"
After the idea has been planted in our minds that, maybe, we all live in our own "Truman Shows", it's hard to shake the feeling that there might be some truth to the paranoia. Seeing signs like this next one sure don't help to settle that feeling. The billboard in the distance malfunctioned in such a way that what we're seeing is, conveniently, all that can be seen at night.
Or, we really are all living in the Matrix, and, as a result of still using a computer from the '90s, the architect has run into a few programming issues.
"Whatever The Question Is, Yes! "
As a bystander watching these crazy events take place, it's hard to believe what we're seeing sometimes, but, when it's happening to us, and we're no longer the bystander, it only makes sense that we'd want to know everything we can about this other person. Who knows, maybe they'll end up being a long lost sibling. Or, even better, maybe their us coming from an alternate reality to recruit us for an interdimensional scanvenger hunt.
It's not terribly uncommon to bump into someone who has the same hairstyle as we do. What is uncommon, however, is coming face to face with someone who looks exactly like us, and is wearing all of the same clothing.
"Missed Opportunities"
While riding the subway, more often than not, we tend to see some of the city's, more interesting, people. For that reason, amongst others, when riding public transportation, most people try to keep to themselves as much as they could. The problem is, by shutting out the world around us, we end up missing out on a lot of things - some of which are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
If it weren't for being so, completely, absorbed in her phone, Estelle would have noticed that the person she'd been chasing through time and space was just a few meters away.
"Just Checking In"
It was supposed to be a normal day at the store. He was there with his son, like he was every Thursday afternoon, when he noticed a man sitting on a bench up ahead. This man looked familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint why exactly that was. Surely, that couldn't be an older version of his infant son, could it? As impossible as it might seem to us now, who know what will be possible in 70 years...
If the older man would have approached these two and spoken to them as though he knew everything about them, now, I think that would be a tell-tale sign.
"A Pixelated World"
If the world is truly a program similar to the one written about in the original Matrix trilogy, then, surely, there are bound to be a few signs here or there that people have overlooked. The most obvious signs are, usually, right before our eyes, but, due the way we've been conditioned, most of us put things off as coincidences or our eyes playing tricks on us.
The person has, apparently, found themselves in a "Limitless" situation, or, at the very least, they're in a quest involving 10 rings. If it's an "Inception" scenario, let's hope they figure it out before it's too late.
"One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others"
Welcome to the "Stepford Playground". Where the only chance one has at surviving this place starts, and ends, with wearing a multi-shaded blue jacket and wandering around aimlessly while communicating with no one. It appears as though their leaders are the ones wearing the red and grey head protectors, and those blue archways seem to be the portals of some kind, but the only way to reach them is by entering the "Forbidden Lawn".
A mad dash to the second to last portal, when the guards are all in the northwest corner of the grid, might be his only chance for escape. There'll only be one chance, he'll have to make sure it counts.
"Step By Step"
An office is, historically, not the most eventful place to work. Everyone goes about their individual tasks, minding their own business, and hoping that, somehow, time will move quicker and they'll get to home sooner. On occasion, if the timing is just right, working on one of the higher-up floors of an office building has its benefits. It allows us to look down upon the world to see things that we would, otherwise, not see.
From down on the ground they look like two men walking in a single file, but from up above the reality of the situation is seen - that man has, clearly, been split in two by a gama ray of some kind.
"A Soft Spot For The Life That Could Have Been"
It's been many long years, since Estelle began travelling from Earth to Earth in hopes of finding the rogue Estelle, who went against the agency's plans and decided to settle down and start a family - a luxury that the OG Estelle has not been privy to. Recently, thanks to some vital information that was attained at a hefty price, she's found her. But, what's this? A grandchild?!
The thing with alternate Earths is that on one Earth your family can be alive and well, but, on another Earth, that family never existed, to begin with.
"Snap Out Of It"
Some moments that we experience, definitely, feel as though they are right out of a movie, or, perhaps, they're just lucid dreams. Whatever they might be, thanks to Hollywood films, they're enough to cause some people to re-think their own sanity. This next guy, for instance, probably, didn't expect that he'd be bumping into himself at the meeting he was attending. Or, was he even attending the meeting at all?
Whoever this person is, it looks as though they're experiencing a 'force dream' similar to the one that Rey experienced in The Last Jedi.
"Hollywoo"
In an alternate reality, cats and dogs would be the Hollywood actors who starred in all of our favorite films. It might seem like an adorable thing to see a cat and dog act out "Grumpy Old Men" or "Grease" but, don't forget, that also means that we'd have to watch them star in all of the heartbreaking film scenes as well. And what was more tear-jerking than watching the end of "Avengers: Infinity War"?
To not spoil it for anyone who still hasn't seen this film (after 3 years), we won't name any names, but for the readers who know what this signifies, cat and dog actors doesn't seem so cute anymore, does it?
"The Shadows Don't Lie"
The human mind is an amazing thing. We each have our own, however, it is able to be manipulated, rather easily, and not just by other people. On occasion, we find ourselves looking at things that don't make any sense to us, and, no matter how long we stare, clarity continues to elude us. For something that means so much to the person whom it belongs, we sure do let outside sources play with our minds quite a bit..
Although there is a simple and logical explaination for this phenomena occuring, we'll leave it up to the readers to figure it out on their own.
"The Show Must Go On"
Looking outside and seeing lights in the sky, as though the whole world was simply a giant studio, would be enough to make anyone snap. It would explain a lot about why things are the way they are, but nothing is that simple. Take another look, and maybe a nap. There must be some explaination. This can't all be one big set up...can it?
Upon getting a closer look, we can see that this photo was taken through a window and the ceiling lights are from the reflection.
"Hope Rings Eternal"
Long ago, the people of Hidden Lake faced off against their rivals from Smokey Island in a turf war for the fishing waters that lay between the two communities. The Hidden Lakers lost the battle, and their leader disappeared. The elders of Hidden Lake prophesized that the final war would go in their favor, but it would only happen when their leader returned from her exile.
They said that she'd be back one day. No one believed them, but they never gave up hope. And, now, thousands of years later, she has returned to fullfill the prophecy, and lead her people once more.
"Good, She Still Hasn't Noticed"
There is only one reason that could possibly explain why the person sitting in front of you on the bus is wearing the same clothes as you, has the same glasses, the same hair style, and even an identical hair clip. Clearly, they are the same person, just from different realities, and, somehow, one of them has managed to travel to the other. But, why?
The Estelle who is in the seat that is further forward appears to be a little weary of the individual behind her. I wonder, perhaps, if she's been expecting to see herself...
"Mini-Me"
Over the past year, everyone has been faced with the decision of whether or not they're going to have themselves vaccinated against COVID-19. While everyone has the right to make their own decisions, it's up to the appropriate health organizations to provide all the information possible in order to make those decision easier, one way or another. First and foremost, information should be disclosed about all of the known potential side-effects...
Of the many side effects that we've been told about, in regard to vaccines, the WHO and the CDC seem to have forgotten about the "cloning effect" that creates mini versions of ourselves.
"Carbon Copy"
Meeting our childhood hero is, rarely, as satisfying as we had hoped it will be. Then again, these days, most kids' heroes are animated. The unique thing about a child's mind is that it takes a few years for them to understand the difference between animation and reality. It must have been a mind-blowing experience for the child who bumped into Shaggy while buying a Shaggy PEZ dispenser.
Maybe that isn't the real Shaggy, but he is the proud uncle of a child who has just realised that he looks like his favourite member of the Scooby Gang.
"Not Quite What He Had In Mind"
As children we're told to dream big. We're told that the sky is the limit. There are some people who use those lessons as the ones which they live their lives after, and, in their heart of hearts, they know that one day their faces will be recognized by millions of people. Unfortunately, waiting for that day to come can be quite tiresome, and Sean decided to jump forward a few years to see how his future self ended up.
When Sean first dreamt of being famous, he, probably, had a different mental image of what that looked like. Now, it's up to him to go back and change his own path, while not interfereing with anyone else' s.
"I Know It Was Around Here Somewhere"
The world of espianage is filled with amazing gadgets and toys to play with, but only for those who are involved in it, of course. If watching James bond films has taught us anything, it's that the tech that the "every person" knows about is just a blip on the radar of what has already been developed.
Still not sure what we're looking at? Well, it's not water dripping down a crack in the sidewalk. It's a car that has either been fitted with a cloaking device or cleaned and waxed into invisibility.
"Feeling Blue? Me Too! "
After a long few days of commuting across a country, there are few things that are more desirable than a fresh meal, a hot shower, and, most importantly, a good night's sleep. The need for rest is never more apparent than on the last leg of the commute, and in this person's situation, they're so exhausted that they're seeing double of the woman behind them.
A coincidence? Maybe. Another version of herself from another timeline? More likely. A glitch in the matrix? Probably not. Those, usually, occur when the program needs to be re-booted and, as a result, we see something that we've seen before.
"Whoa! Deja Vu... "
After the idea has been planted in our minds that, maybe, we all live in our own "Truman Shows", it's hard to shake the feeling that there might be some truth to the paranoia. Seeing signs like this next one sure don't help to settle that feeling. The billboard in the distance malfunctioned in such a way that what we're seeing is, conveniently, all that can be seen at night.
Orrr, we really are all living in the Matrix, and, as a result of still using a computer from the '90s, the architect has run into a few programming issues.
"Hiding In Plain Sight"
When Estelle first set off on this endless journey of hers through time, it almost sounded like it would be a fun experience. There was no way that she could have known that by taking that fateful step on that spring day so many years ago, her life would forever be changed, and that she would never again be able to live the life she once knew.
In order to throw anyone off of her trail who might be following her, Estelle has wisely hidden herself amongst a busload of Dolly Parton impersonators. That should throw herself off of her own scent.
"Nice Try, Me, But This Ends Today! "
There's no way of knowing for sure if, or when, some will, or has, discovered a way to travel between realities. Perhaps, a young woman who, in the '60s, was part of a top-secret team that was assigned to a secret reality-bending task, has been trying to right the wrongs of her failed mission ever since. Maybe, she's even come close a few times, but every time she does, her arch-nemesis slips through her fingers.
For many years, the chase through time and space has worn her down but, finally, in her old age, Estelle has caught up with herself for what is sure to be their final showdown...or, will the Earth 10 version of Estelle escape once again.
"Bump Into Yourself Again Did Ya? "
Searching for a person who is recklessly traveling between dimensions, and breaking the unwritten (and written) rules of the space-time continuum, can take its toll on someone emotionally and physically. That's why it's always a good idea to unwind whenever possible - even sci-fi police like to party every now and then. And in the "Time Cop" profession, that's not very often.
It shouldn't come as a surprise to someone who can jump realities, that they might, one day, bump into a different version of themselves who is looking for the same thing that they are.
"Through Hell Or High Water"
Hockey fans are a very special group of people. I mean, real hockey fans. The ones who drive hundreds of miles to back their favorite teams, even if they're at the bottom of the standings. They're the ones who, if it were possible to travel between realities on holiday, would still find a way to get to the rink. One wouldn't be crazy to believe that certain traits, like those of a die-hard hockey fan, would, most likely, be similar in alternate realities.
When people talk about "finding themselves", I'm not sure that this is what they had in mind. Sure, it'd be cool at first, but what if the "bizarro" versions of ourselves backed a rival team?
"Hit The Snooze Button... Twice"
Strange things are seen late at night on the subway. There have been tales of ghosts and ghouls that haunt some of the tracks. People have told stories of their eyes playing tricks on them to the point where they are seeing things that aren't there. And when tired (or intoxicated), it's much harder to know what's real or not.
It's amazing how two people who don't know each other are not only wearing the same clothing, but they are sleeping in the same position as well. Amazing!
"Halfsies"
Every village that is surrounded by a wooded area is bound to have its own story of a haunting, or supernatural event, that has transpired there. There is certain footpath located in Anytown U.S.A. that people have reported seeing a man cemented into. It's rumoured that years ago, while doing work on the path, his colleagues filled the hole that he had been doing work in...
...He was bent down, so they couldn't see him, of course, and, by the time he came up, it was too late. Relax, it's just a well positioned picture, he hasn't been made into a permanent fixture in this pathway.
"Look! It's Me! "
A proven way to help kids retain information better, and pick up on things quicker, is by teaching them things through association. In other words, if they're able to relate to what they're being taught, they'll, probably, benefit more from the lesson. The same goes for adults. If we're able to invision oursleves doing something, then we're much more likely to attempt the task.
As it turns out, this child is not Sal of "Blueberries For Sal" fame. Don't tell them that though, because it might be too heart wrenching of a scene to witness.
"So Close"
Timeline shifting is not an easy thing to master, otherwise everyone would be doing it. If someone has figured it out, then why haven't they come to tell the rest of us. Are there rules, like in the movies? Or is our era just not worth travelling to? At the same time, maybe it is possible, but only a select group of covert agents have access to the ability...
Jeanie made it back to the moment when it was all set in motion, but she was seconds too late. The Jeanie of that time was already on her way to go talk to Estelle...
"Always A Little Late"
If it were possible to visit ourselves in the past, I'd like to believe that the future versions of us would do what they could to prevent us from making mistakes, like leaving to work without an umbrella on a rainy day or eating something that gave us terrible food poisoning. It would be like having ourselves as our own guardian angel.
She showed up a few minutes too late, and wasn't able to stop herself from ordering. All she could do was look on from a distance as her fate is being sealed before her eyes.
"All It Takes Is 15 Minutes"
Waiting in the queue at the pub isn't the most entertaining thing in the world to do, but, every now and then, something happens that makes the wait almost tolerable. Thousands of years ago, there was secretive people who resided in Hidden Lake. Within the lore of the Hidden Lake elders, there was the tale of the lizard that would bring together those who would help rebuild the ancient civilization. This is that lizard...
I've heard of coincidences like this happening, but when it comes down to it, isn't the Hidden Lake story more plausible? The only other explaination would be if they were both Geico spokespeople.
"Inverse Attraction"
In the restaurant industry, it's common for employees to witness things that they wouldn't have expected to see. At the time that the early birds flock to dinner, it's rare to have more than a few pairs show up. When the only two couples in the place are sitting next to each other, and are inverted versions of each other, it might be time to start thinking of a supernatural reason.
If anyone ever needed proof that there are bizarro versions of everyone in this world, I think this should just about do the trick.
"She Just Wants To Talk"
Decades after the mistake she had made, that sent Estelle on an endless game of cat and mouse with herself through time and space, Jeanie has retired to a small community in the burbs. She has carried the weight of what she had done for many years and has seen the futures and pasts of dozens of realities. After all this time, the last person she had expected to see was herself.
But that's exactly who showed up to see her. Always just a few seconds too late, Jeanie couldn't keep up to her other self yet again, and she lost her near the gazebo.
"Ever Seen A Flying Boat? "
The story of Peter Pan, is one of pirates and giant crocodiles, lost boys and mermaids. And, of course, the faires that provide the land with pixie dust. Although Hook was always out to get Peter and his friends, the pirate's ship, the Jolly Roger, was an innocent that was dragged into a battle that it wanted no part of. When the dust cleared in Neverlands "Battle For the Ages" it was time for the Roger to make some changes.
The Jolly Roger lost its Captain and its crew, but, as a result of the change, it was able to leave Neverland. And, with a little help from the fairies' pixie dust, it retired in a quieter patch of water.
"I'll Have What They're Having"
Dining out has the potential to create some fantastic problems for us. Although we may be in the mood for a specific food when the evening begins, by the time we see all of the meals being delivered to the other diners, our minds are, probably, going to change 1 or 4 times. Perfecting time travel should be the goal of every foodie out there. It opens the door to trying everything they want to eat without losing any time.
The guy in the background looks to be enjoying his decision very much, which means, the guy in the picture's foreground is, clearly, the past version of him as he looks to be less than impressed with his choice.