Blind Time

"Blind Time" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around the concept of temporal accidents, where events are predicted to occur based on prior occurrences in time, leading to a paradoxical situation where the future can be foreseen but not averted. The book explores themes of fate, human nature, and the peculiarities of temporal mechanics through the eyes of Peter Wright, an insurance adjuster tasked with navigating this complex, mind-bending situation. The narrative follows Peter Wright as he is assigned to investigate an imminent accident at the Oak Tool Works, which has already occurred in a temporal sense. Despite the certainty of the accident’s occurrence, the workers and Peter must contend with the surreal implications of this knowledge, grappling with feelings of dread and inevitability. Through vivid interactions with the factory staff, Peter learns about the so-called 'mislinks'—missing pieces of machinery that exist in a time field. The story culminates in a dramatic sequence where Peter finds himself caught in the accident he aimed to assess, highlighting the futility of trying to change what has already been decreed by time. The novel challenges readers to consider the intersections of time, choice, and human response in the face of seemingly predestined events.