Scientific Discoveries
Scenarios exploring how different scientific breakthroughs or their timing might have changed history
What If Satellites Were Never Launched?
Exploring the alternate timeline where artificial satellites never made it to orbit, dramatically altering global telecommunications, navigation, military capabilities, and our understanding of Earth and space.
What If SETI Received a Signal?
Exploring the alternate timeline where the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) detected an unambiguous signal from an alien civilization, fundamentally altering humanity's place in the cosmos and our technological, social, and philosophical development.
What If Smallpox Was Never Eradicated?
Exploring the alternate timeline where humanity's first and only successful disease eradication campaign failed, allowing smallpox to remain a deadly global threat into the 21st century.
What If Space Exploration Never Happened?
Exploring the alternate timeline where humanity never ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere, dramatically altering technological development, geopolitics, and our understanding of the universe.
What If SpaceX Never Succeeded?
Exploring the alternate timeline where Elon Musk's private space venture collapsed, dramatically altering the trajectory of commercial spaceflight and humanity's future beyond Earth.
What If Stem Cell Research Was Never Restricted?
Exploring the alternate timeline where embryonic stem cell research developed without political and religious restrictions, potentially revolutionizing medicine decades earlier.