The book that folded itself.

I've just finished The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold. An interesting time travel story, primarily focussing on the whole mutability of the timestream concept than visiting other times.

Since it was written in 1973, I was a little confused by a reference to the WTC attacks, and Apple stock. Turns out that this is actually a 2003 reissue with a few changes added, and set in 2005 rather than 1975. And I have to wonder... why did David Gerrold feel the need to make these changes. It's all a little jarring.

The problem is, the book reads like a 1970's Sci-fi novel. Focussing on the specific concept, and investigating it in detail. Changing the dates doesn't make it feel more contemporary. In fact it dates it. Danny's car has tapes. His uncle asks him to keep a diary. Danny doesn't suggest a blog would be easier, but does suggest a "dictation machine and a secretary". It doesn't even occur to him to keep it online. In the context of the story this wouldn't have worked, but why would anyone born in the 1980's not consider keeping it on a computer. It's also rather disturbing that a section goes into detail on homosexuality. In 2005 this really isn't as big a deal as it would have been 30 years earlier, when people were often fired just for being gay.

Media exists in the time it was created. Updating it is usually a mistake. I really can't see any reason for these changes.