Question about Dr. Manhattan

[Angel_Faerie]

I finished reading a few days ago. Loved it to bits. But one question keeps lurking in my mind. What if Dr. Manhattan sees a person going to California (or something like that), but the person doesn't go? Will the person end up in Cali no matter what?

Hopefully I won't be crucified for asking a "n00b" question...

 

[The Sarge]

I don't really follow. . .
Are you asking what would happen if he made a wrong prediction?

Or more likely are you asking what would happen if a person decided not to go because the doc told him he would go?

Thing is, the person would go. everything has happen to the doctor. including the part where he told the guy he would go to california, AND his reaction to being told.
You can recall something that happened three years ago, but you can't change it.
the doctor is like that, only he can remember the things that haven't even happened yet as well- and just like the past he can't change it.

 

[Silk Spectre]

If they didn't go, there's no way he could have seen it happening.

 

[joke]

Even if Doc told a person he saw him go to California and the person decided not to, he'll wind up there anyway. Just like in the comic when Spectre and Doc were on Mars and he told her that they'll have an argument in 90 seconds or something, she told him no.. and then followed him up the stairs and had the argument anyway.

 

[Angel_Faerie]

Even if Doc told a person he saw him go to California and the person decided not to, he'll wind up there anyway. Just like in the comic when Spectre and Doc were on Mars and he told her that they'll have an argument in 90 seconds or something, she told him no.. and then followed him up the stairs and had the argument anyway.

That exact scene is what made me wonder. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind until Laurie asked (I'm paraphrasing. Don't have the book on hand) "What if I don't go back upstairs? What happens then?"

 

[shapeshifter]

he sees time transcendentally. What he sees is our future, our past and our present. if he sees it it happens, except under certain types of radiation that make it difficult for him.