alternate realities
Different possible existences
Alternate realities are hypothetical versions of existence where events unfolded differently—worlds where you took another job, where a war ended otherwise, or where physical laws work differently.
The concept appears in physics (multiverse theory), philosophy, and especially science fiction: The show explores alternate realities where the Nazis won.
Also called parallel universes or alternate timelines.
- parallel worldsSeparate coexisting realities
- mirror universeAlternate reality with inversions
- multiverseHypothetical set of universes
- parallel universesHypothetical coexisting separate realities
- speculative fictionGenre of imagined realities
sliding doors · quantum mechanics · fantasy · dystopia · string theory · imagination · world-building · false memories · counterfactuals · time travel · Philip K. Dick · simulation hypothesis · what-if · lucid dreaming · hyperspace · portals · through the looking glass · altered consciousness
- fictional mapsfantasy maps, treasure maps, imaginary worlds, fictional worlds, Neverland
- imaginary thingsfantasies, imaginary friends, imaginary worlds, make-believe, make believe
- sci-fi conceptstime travel, space exploration, faster-than-light, generation ships, multiverse
- multiverse conceptsparallel universe, parallel worlds, pocket universes, branching timeline, pocket universe
- sci-fiscience fiction, Star Wars, sci-fi, Blade Runner 2049, aliens
- fiction genresfiction, fantasy, novel, horror, thrillers
alternate realitiesreality
What actually exists
objective reality · physical reality · actuality · the here and now · ground truth