Haunted Cosmos: Episode Summary - "Time Travel?"

Release Date: November 13, 2024

Hosts: Ben Garrett & Pastor Brian Sauvé

1. Introduction to the Nature of Time

The episode begins with Pastor Brian delving into the fundamental question: "What is time?" He explores various philosophical perspectives, pondering whether time is a mental construct or a tangible aspect of the natural world.

Pastor Brian [00:27]: "What is time, after all? Is it merely a construct of the mind, in effect of the interplay of consciousness and matter?"

He contrasts time with other natural phenomena like gravity and electricity, questioning if humanity can harness or manipulate time as it has with other forces.

2. Philosophical Perspectives on Time

Brian outlines historical viewpoints on time from prominent philosophers:

• Plato: Equated time with motion, viewing it as a necessary byproduct of nature's imperfection.

• Aristotle: Defined time in three modes—past, present, and future—and as a measure of movement in relation to before and after.

He also touches on cultural interpretations:

• Greek and Roman Mythology: Time personified negatively as Cronos/Kronos, the devourer.

• Abrahamic Religions (Especially Christianity): Time seen as a divine gift and a medium through which God's plans unfold.

Pastor Brian [08:00]: "Time is a revelation of God to man. It is a canvas on which he paints a thing whose edges only fall away into the true ocean of eternity."

3. Time as a Tool and a Dominion

The discussion shifts to humanity's relationship with time, considering whether humans can transform time into a servant or if it remains beyond complete manipulation. This segues into the central question of the episode:

Pastor Brian [16:00]: "Is time a road that man can travel on with freedom? Or is he bound to his lane and prescribed pace?"

4. The Count of Saint Germain: A Case Study

The episode extensively explores the enigmatic figure, the Count of Saint Germain, positing him as a potential time traveler or immortal being. Brian narrates the Count's historical appearances across Europe from the 18th century onwards, highlighting his extraordinary skills in multiple disciplines and his charming demeanor.

Key points include:

• Historical Presence: From advising Marie Antoinette to interacting with figures like Giacomo Casanova.

• Esoteric Connections: Alleged ties to the Freemasons and Theosophy, suggesting the Count as an "ascended master."

• Mysterious Disappearance: Despite a recorded death in 1784, records of the Count persist into the 19th and 20th centuries.

Pastor Brian [45:33]: "The Count of Saint Germain is a man who never dies and who knows everything."

5. Modern Theories and Skepticism

Ben Garrett and Pastor Brian discuss various theories surrounding time travel, including:

• Time Slips: Anecdotal accounts where individuals experience shifts into the past without technological means.

• Einstein's Time Dilation: Scientific explanation of how traveling at near-light speeds can result in experiencing time differently, allowing future travel but not past.

They express skepticism towards anecdotal stories, emphasizing the lack of empirical evidence supporting time travel into the past.

6. Time Travel Anecdotes and Debunking

The hosts recount several popular time travel stories:

• Sergey Romanovsky: A Ukrainian man allegedly from 1958 appearing in 2006, presenting evidence like old IDs and photographs. Brian later reveals this story as a fictional reenactment from a Ukrainian TV series, debunking its authenticity.

• John Titor: An internet phenomenon claiming to be a time traveler from 2036, warning of future wars and possessing knowledge about obsolete technology like the IBM 5100 computer. The story is dismissed as a hoax despite intriguing elements.

Pastor Brian [95:20]: "But I think we could have known it was a lie. Already. Because I do not believe that time travel into the past is possible in the world God made."

7. The Montauk Project: Myth vs. Reality

Brian narrates the legend of the Montauk Project, an alleged series of secret government experiments in Montauk, New York, involving time travel, mind control, and interdimensional portals. Preston Nichols' claims about encounters with past selves and mysterious phenomena are scrutinized, with the hosts expressing doubt over their legitimacy.

Pastor Brian [123:57]: "Because he shows up the Count of Saint Germain, as an ascended master, is one of these Gnostic Gnosis givers. He gives knowledge to mankind."

8. Conclusion: The Immutability of Time

Wrapping up, Ben and Brian reiterate their stance that while scientific theories like time dilation under Einstein provide glimpses into the possibilities of time manipulation, time travel into the past remains implausible within the context of their worldview. They emphasize the importance of accepting time as a natural flow that should not be tampered with.

Ben Garrett [100:12]: "I think that time is an inescapable mechanism of nature and reality that can't be actually overcome with the minor exception of those relativistic differences that we talked about."

9. Final Thoughts

The episode encourages listeners to ponder the mysteries of time while maintaining a healthy skepticism towards sensational claims. The hosts advocate for a balanced understanding of time's role in both philosophical and scientific realms, grounding their discussions in a framework that aligns with their Christian beliefs.

Notable Quotes:

• Pastor Brian [00:27]: "What is time, after all? Is it merely a construct of the mind, in effect of the interplay of consciousness and matter?"

• Pastor Brian [45:33]: "The Count of Saint Germain is a man who never dies and who knows everything."

• Pastor Brian [95:20]: "But I think we could have known it was a lie. Already. Because I do not believe that time travel into the past is possible in the world God made."

• Ben Garrett [100:12]: "I think that time is an inescapable mechanism of nature and reality that can't be actually overcome with the minor exception of those relativistic differences that we talked about."

This episode of Haunted Cosmos offers a comprehensive exploration of time from multiple angles, blending philosophical inquiry with historical anecdotes and modern skepticism. It invites listeners to contemplate the nature of time while discerning fact from fiction in the realm of time travel lore.