What-ifs and And-thens

According to legend, the ruler of Vietnam died because of a tree. As was common, the right for the throne was much envied and many people were jealous of its occupant. A plot to murder the king was hatched - he was to die by poison. Now, the king was not stupid. He knew poisoning was a possibility, and so he took precautions. He and his sons always dined using chopsticks made from the wood of the tree that is now planted at his shrine. The wood from the tree is said to have the ability to change color when it comes into contact with poison. Thus, the king would know the food was poisoned before taking a bite. However, one day he forgot to use the chopsticks, and he, along with his two sons, died. The tree is planted as a reminder to those who visit his shrine about the dangers of not being cautious.

This legend tries to make me believe that chopsticks can change color. That is most likely a ridiculous falsehood, but I like to think about the "what if" all the same. What if it were true? Or, what if Camelot really existed? What if there really are wizards who walk among us or magical creatures that can breathe fire and fly?

These what-ifs are the core of all stories. They draw us in and make us lose ourselves in a possibility. They make us explore that possibility. Maybe the wood of that tree really DOES change color when it comes into contact with poison. Perhaps warp speed is actually possible. Maybe the Jedi exist.

We all like to think about what-ifs. I know I think about them all the time. I imagine scenarios. Good. Bad. Possible. Impossible. What if get in a terrible car accident tomorrow, or what if the guy I like asks me on a date? Or, what if the zombie apocalypse really happened - would I be a zombie, or would I fight them off and try not to die? (I would be a zombie - let's get real)

Media is simply stories. Movies and books are started by people thinking "What if _______ were to happen?" Phone apps are created by people thinking "What if phones could tell me what song I just heard on the radio?" Video games: "What if a boy from the woods went on a quest to save the kingdom (and the princess) from evil - and what if you could play him?" The list goes on.

I hate what-ifs. I want them resolved - I don't like to sit with them. Media lets me explore those what-ifs and turn them into "and thens". Instead of wondering, "What if a genius and his best friend decided to solve crime for fun" I can read a series of books, short stories, watch dozens of  movies, and a BBC show about Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. I can find out about how they solve crime after crime, and then how Sherlock fakes his own death. Basically, I take part in media because it fulfills this uncomfortable space within me that doesn't like to have anything unresolved, and it allows me to go back to that original what-if and explore it as much as I want until I am satisfied.