How to Understand Primer - Step 1

Here's a good way to 'get' Primer fast.

I think a lot of fans are starting to see how, in the end, there are three Aarons and two Abes. But, Abe only knows of two Aarons. Abe is confident that by messing with the experiment and/or the box, he will prevent time travel. However, he is not aware of what the other two Aarons are capable of. First, Aaron can call Abe. letting him know it is possible because it already happened. The other Aaron that Abe doesn't know exists can help Abe in any number of ways, repairing the box, fixing the slide on the feed on the experiment, suggesting they build a bigger box, perhaps planting the fungus rather than telling Abe that it might be a time machine. (I know this sounds impossible, but it isn't if, and only if, Abe builds the bigger box before Aaron calls him. What happens in one timeline does not need to be repeated in other timelines.) It may seem to be a huge paradox that the future is the past already. But, that is what the Granger event proves. The future of them getting into trouble has already happened and Granger came to prevent it, or overwrite it. We haven't seen the first time through before Granger traveled back and neither have we seen the absolute truth of the first timeline. We have only seen what two of the Aarons saw, and we are missing some big chunks of that as well. Read on and enjoy.

Thank you for over 300,000 views--Nov 2014
                                 400,000 views--Dec 2015

Who is Neuwanstein?

Try this link: http://unrealitymag.bcmediagroup.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/primer-chart.jpg

' THE PRIMER UNIVERSE'

Some of you may know that Shane Carruth was one of the first to read the book 'The Primer Universe'. (Actually his brother John read it first when it came in the mail.) Recently Shane spoke about The Primer Universe.

"I'm grateful that anybody who cares enough would take the time to do that. But I'm also a little bit discouraged that that seems to be the main thing that's taken away from the film – the mechanics of it."

Sorry, Shane. But the mechanics of Primer was the main discussion as it is the only thing that needs explanation. The aspects of their emotions and the effects on their relationship is important. Most people can grasp those points without my dissecting it. Others have already explored that part.

Perhaps, as it is now obvious, this is why Shane took down his forum where the following points in this book were first discussed. Answers were scrutinized and had to be firmly backed by the film itself. Shane chose not to continue to provide the answers on his site. They are all still here.

This 'blog' is the full version of the book, The Primer Universe. It is no longer available in print. The oldest page posted here is the last page of the book. I have added a few pages since this was first published.

'The Granger Incident' is located here: (one of the most popular pages)
http://theprimeruniverse.blogspot.com/2009/05/granger-incident.html

Here is a link to some other thoughts on Primer. Mainly, a review of other information about Primer and the often asked question about a timeline picture floating around the internet.
http://theprimeruniverse2.blogspot.com/

Thanks everyone for your links and comments.

CONFUSED? YOU SHOULD BE

A lot of people want to read an overview of this book first. It is long, I know. Sorry. Maybe this page will help you to decide if you want to read the whole thing.

I was asked if I could sum everything up in one page. Here goes...

Let's say that Abe invents time travel on March 1, 2001. What we would perceive as his last action in the film, is actually his first. It is backwards because this action is what Abe does in his last revisions. Abe and Aaron go back as far as they each can. It won't go back far enough for Abe because Aaron is still in control. Aaron exits the fail-safe and turns it off temporarily.

So Abe invents the box. Abe2 exits and breaks the box. He is a silent observer. He keeps a safety box in a storage unit and plans to keep Abe1 from having a working box.Abe will learn, as in the end of the film, that Aaron3 is already there.(A fail-safe that is coffin-sized is only useful for a few days at a time) Why? When Abe2 steps out of the box and breaks it, Aaron from the future (from 6 hours to four days) has already exited before him and insured that he has the upper hand. So, Abe builds the box, Aaron3 exits, Aaron2 moves to France, building a box the size of a house. Even though Aaron2 says he will never be found, there is always the opportunity for him to return(but not of course to this week as he is still building it during the events we see.). Aaron 2 returns and wrestles with himself. Thus he enters and exits, depending on your point of view. Truly brilliant of Carruth here.

He is actually, as the book brought out, Aaron2. He tells the Aaron2  that he is Aaron3 or Aaron2's future. How much Aaron3 tells Aaron2 about time travel is not stated. Hopefully, you can see why there are so many people when Abe 'first' discovers time travel in March.

What happens is that Abe2 will try to prevent Abe1's efforts but despite Abe2's relentless efforts, Abe1 builds a successful box. From his perspective, it is the first time. From Abe2's perspective, it is the second time. Abe2 is angry when he finds out that the reason Abe1 didn't give up, the reason Aaron slyly says 'You can't watch them forever', is that Aaron knew what Abe says is correct. They would give up, unless Aaron2 gives Abe1 a phone call before leaving for France. From his perspective, I think he is insuring his survival.( It seems possible that if Abe does not invent time travel again, then Aaron2may cease to exist. I wouldn't want to find out, if I was Aaron. Better safe then sorry.) If Aaron2 was calling Aaron1(instead of Abe1) then he should just say, "Here's the box and how to use it." It is much safer to create this relentless Abe1. He won't give up because he knows he can do it. And since he hasn't experienced it personally, he will not give up.

Sadly for this Abe, when he does invent time travel (now for the second time from our perspective) Aaron will still get the upper hand by taking a box and exiting and knocking himself out. Later, when Aaron3 arrives at this same point, he confronts Aaron2 and convinces him to leave, taking his place.Obviously, Aaron3 has lived these events, recorded them and gone back a day or two, so that he has the recordings, or he is lying and will record them once he replaces Aaron(2). This Aaron2 leaves or exits, leaving Aaron3 in charge to make the final revision that everyone else will remember. Thus, (thinking backwards) the airport scene of Abe and Aaron arguing, can take place as early as Monday, while our brains from watching the film, makes us think that this event is later in the week.

So which box did Aaron2 find? He found not Abe1's box, but Abe2's box. This is why Abe1 is confounded when shown the storage manifest. He didn't build that box or even know that it existed. Abe2 knows how important a fail-safe is. He just didn't realize how much it would complicate matters, especially from our viewpoint.

But, this is the end. How did they arrive at the conclusion of the film? "How?", you would ask. Let me start from the top.


Original book follows:

THE ORIGINAL TIMELINE

Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to type this and you’re going to read it. You’re not going to interrupt. You’re not going to speak for any reason.

Our only glimpse of the original time line is from Aaron. He tells us, as we see in a flashback, that he discovered the fact that Abe had built a fail-safe.Was that, in fact, the original time line? There is no guarantee as this is only the original time line from Aaron’s perspective.

It is possible for a large number of recurrences prior to this point. Aaron could have already been in a repeat of the original time line without knowing it at all since Abe’s use of the box would erase Aaron’s knowledge of the previous time-line. If Abe tells Aaron about his time travel and later regrets having told him, he can reset events and tell Granger about the box rather than Aaron.Abe could opt to tell no one about the box. This time line could turn out even worse than the one before it. Granger could try to steal or sell the device causing Abe to fail-safe. Again, Abe repeats the time line of telling Aaron. This time he will try to control Aaron better, preventing Aaron’s mistakes, guiding him. From Aaron’s perspective, it is the first time line. Abe would know it as the third time line.

There is a basic cause and effect cycle. Abe can tell Aaron about the time machine or he can try to keep Aaron in the dark. If keeping Aaron in the dark leads to suspicion and thus may actually cause Aaron to find the fail-safe, then Abe must start by telling Aaron. Neither Abe nor Aaron can see the entire loop bringing them back to this point because they only can ‘see’ their own time lines. If you were Abe and had the two boxes, you might even travel back in time and pretend that you still only had the Weeble-sized machine, pretend you don’t even know what the box is doing, imitate the original time line.

Did you catch the reference that things were already occurring unbeknownst to Abe and thus, to us?? The birds in the attic are no birds or rats. But something is afoul up there. The sudden shock that time travel has already unraveled and caused mayhem, hidden from even his wife. What about the interest that Abe has with Aaron's wife? Is this some dormant desire, natural protection, or growing paranoia? Then there is the seemingly insignificant ice-maker, a wonderfully crafted foreshadow.. "We have to throw the first couple of batches out." That statement should tell you that the time machine will not turn out well either. There is so much missed in the first viewing. How many times must someone watch ‘Primer’ to appreciate is simplicity and underlying complexity? How addictive a film this has proven to be.

REGULATE YOUR OXYGEN

Breathe deep and try to relax. Everyone misses the fact that Abe built the boxes but pretended to still be developing the experimental machine with Aaron. This does not mean that Abe has traveled yet. He may not have used it yet, he may not even realize completely what it does. It only matters that it is in working order and that it is turned on. If your best friend is impulsive and not fully trustworthy, wait. Don't tell him everything. First learn as well as establish the ground rules and safety policies. Insure your survival as well as the invention itself.

We can now arrive at the first major time line where Abe builds the fail-safe box, sets the timer, and unbeknown to Abe,Aaron(2) pops out. That leaves Aaron(1) with four days to find the fail-safe and disappear. However, for this wound in the fabric of time to heal and for Aaron(1) to disappear as in the first play of the time line, all events must continue as before. If there is a serious deviation, if Aaron is interfered with or if Abe moves, locks, or turns off the box; then that time line will be forever altered. It doesn’t matter if Aaron brings the other box on this trip or not. He only needs to gain the upper hand, to gain control, to arrive first. He can always reemerge later with the folded-up box as long as he does so before Abe figures out that Aaron(2) is around. If Abe figures that out, he could fail-safe and move the box to a secret location, which would leave Aaron(1) stranded with no foreseeable exit window.

Once Aaron gets to the point where he exits the fail-safe and turns it off, he will gain control of the Primer universe. At most, Abe can only travel back in time 15 minutes later than Aaron (because of the 15 minute delay switch). A few hours window would even be better. You could fail-safe, turn the box off, take a long nap, and then activate the delay timer. Thus, you arrive several hours before your friend or foe returns. It would appear that Aaron may have left the box on the first time. But quickly, he plots to have his own box and recognizes that turning the box off is a much better means of control. We can explore this idea and its consequences later.

Aaron thus creates a new time line, one that is untethered from the original. The original time line has been lost forever, that is, the box cannot be used to enter into a time line where time travel does not exist (as was the case in the original time line). Abe will later regret this when he sees what a mess the time line becomes, thanks to Aaron's impulsive decisions. Abe wants to go back in time, exit, and disable the box. However, this serves no purpose if Aaron(2) is there with his own box hidden somewhere.

Aaron(2) must behave as Aaron(1) would anytime he is around Abe. He also must  insure that Aaron(1) finds the fail-safe and gets in to avoid a paradox that could erase his existence.(This is obviously what Aaron acknowledges although this does not necessarily mean that he could not survive a paradox) Aaron will have to try to speed things up with helpful assistance since Abe is stalling on his progress on the experiment so he has more time to work on his box at the U-Haul. Abe and Aaron both need each other in these early stages. The power of time travel though, has already unraveled their trust in one another. Both of them have become selfish, secretive, sly.(In fact, from some perspective Aaron(2) and Abe(2) may both have influenced, unseen to us, the events we see, be it Aaron(2) speeding things up or Abe(2) attempting to thwart Aaron's efforts, even those of Abe(1).

WEEBLES

"The Weebles are stupid." Yes, two Weebles, symbolically representing Abe and Aaron. They convince themselves of their own intelligence.. It is during the Granger Incident that their foolishness and over-confidence is unmasked. Their personalities are, like all of us, flawed. Abe is very cautious and methodical. Still, he makes several errors, some of which Aaron later points out. "There are not one use only." Aaron acts imprudently with the thought that any errors can be detected and merely need to be over-written.

What about the fungus that grows on the Weeble? It is essential for the discovery of time travel.Without it, time travel will remain out of their grasp. The audience has Abe's perspective. 100,000 fans could not figure out the secrets of the fungus. Here are some obvious points. The fungus can only grow in a dark and damp environment. The process takes several months. Even this rate of growth is only due to a cool environment and being "stirred" and "sweetened" by adding pure Oxygen. The garage is not cold nor damp. The box is flooded with Argon. Argon greatly inhibits the growth of molds and fungus. There isn't enough Oxygen for a living creature to survive. Why does the fungus grow on the Weeble? The box is not covered in fungus. The watch was not covered in fungus.It obviously is not really growing.

Abe's concludes that the device is essentially time travel. Abe, using the watches, discerns a ratio of time inside the box to be 1:1300. While not exact, he can predict the outcome as odd or even. He feels that the time of the Weeble in the box, 1300 minutes, is generating the fungus. 1300 minutes is 21 hours and 40 minutes. "Wow, you got that fast". Twenty two hours is definitely not enough to incubate fungus. Now, if this was accurate, then to travel backwards in time 21 hours and 40 minutes would require only one minute in the box, not 21 hours and 40 minutes. Traveling for 3 days and 14 hours would be a four minute trip, hardly long enough to require lots of Oxygen, food, water, and an empty bottle. The real ratio is 1:1. When Abe travels 6 hours backwards, he stays in the box for exactly 6 hours. So how does fungus grow in a hostile environment in such a short period of time?

IT IS A JOKE

It was a joke. Shane told you upfront, and you still got fooled. Watch for the question, "How did you know it was a joke?" The technician looks to Aaron, who in turn gives a slight shake. No answer, not in front of Aaron. Blame Abe. He fell for the red herring, therefor everyone else did. Originally, Aaron may have put the fungus there as a joke. True, the original time line #2 has been replaced and the first play of it can not be truly known. The truth is, Abe discovered this that the box was causing time travel, built two boxes, and Aaron came out without Abe's knowledge. Very likely, Abe may not have even finished the second box yet. As soon as the first box is working and turned on, someone will exit. 

How did the fungus not prevent Abe from climbing in the box? It should have left Aaron in complete control. Granted, in an earlier concept, Aaron(1) could be clueless. The technician would not know that there is an Aaron(1) and Aaron(2). Thus, in front of Aaron, the technician does not give an answer to Abe’s question. In the original time line, Aaron(1) may have planted the fungus as "a joke." or Aaron(2) could plant the fungus which would make Aaron(1) innocent, surprised, and clueless.Since we don't know when Abe built the box, its hard to know for sure. We see, however, that Aaron is 'finding out' this information allegedly the day after Abe finds out. This is hard to believe Abe, since if he just found out, how would he have had time to build the box already? Abe is not being completely honest.

So Abe’s first reaction was correct, "What did you do to this thing?" Part of the proof that we are watching Aaron(2) or Aaron(3) is the joke that Aaron starts to tell in his office. Thus, proof of the time loop, whether Aaron repeats this joke from memory or a recording (in the time line, he hasn’t heard it yet). There can be no debate though, Abe is definitely talking to an Aaron who has traveled back in time.

What does the fungus accomplish? It insures that Abe will build and store his boxes in the U-Haul storage center, a climate-controlled environment.(Since no fungus is found in the larger boxes, one can say that it was not in the experiment from the time travel itself.) It is certainly safer out of town so that no one may see them and their doubles. This step is essential to their success. It may also be an attempt to convince Abe not to get in the box (from Aaron’s perspective). This would allow Aaron sole control over the boxes. It is easy to believe that Aaron hasn’t traveled in time yet, because Abe is still under that belief. It is very hard for many people to grasp this on their first viewing, even after reading the explanation. But, Abe built a box early on. Long before most fans realize it, even after several viewings. How else would he know about the shock and other details if he had only made one experimental trip? When would he have had the time to make rules and plan the oxygen and the timing? Abe is tricking the audience, because he is misleading Aaron.

THERE'S ALWAYS LEAKS

Abe has been working on the small experimental box. Aaron balances the feed. Abe learns of its function for time travel. He builds a large box. He does not use it. He plans on building a second box. Unbeknownst to himself, the first box actually works, Aaron has exited the box. This is Aaron(2) who has been convinced by Aaron(3) to leave. He calls Abe and tells him about the time travel boxes. Now Abe uses the fail-safe box,.only it is after Aaron(3)and(2) already arrive.

First, we have to understand that Abe was capable of building the boxes, even if he thought it was for gravitational experiments. He made the first time travel box. It is possible that he turned it on and his future self exited. Actually, nothing happened according to what Abe says. He viewed it as a time machine and installed the timer to prevent ever meeting his future self (or his past self). Otherwise, he would get in the box at 3:00, and then a stunned Abe(1a) met the exiting Abe(1b). That makes Abe(1a) a temporary Abe, as long as he repeats himself from the former time line and gets back in the box at 3:00.

If Abe recognized that he built a time machine, he may have decided to keep it secret for a little while, learn control, make rules, then let Aaron know. But, since the time lines overlap, as illustrated above, then, as we see in the end, Abe builds the box and gets a call from Aaron(2). Now even if Abe(2) sabotages the box, Abe(1) will not stop until he experiences making and using the box.

Abe should recognize that, since he got a call from a future Aaron, that the cycle is repeating itself. But instead of calculating that there is another Aaron running amok and that he can not gain the upper hand, Abe assumes with the knowledge he gets from Aaron(2), that he will get and keep the upper hand over Aaron(1). And this could be true, unless Aaron(1) gets thrown into the attic and escapes to find the fail-safe. Or if Aaron(3) meets Abe, which puts Aaron(1) into the attic just as Aaron(2) had done the time before. Poor guy. In Abe's defense, it would be a lot to absorb. This is probably why Abe feels he can keep Aaron from causing such a disruption by slowly guiding and teaching him. (If it was only Aaron(1) but, of course, it isn't.)

Is this already a paradox? It may seems to be because of the overlapping of the time lines. It seems almost like Dr. Brown's line in Back to the Future, "Time machine? I haven't invented any time machine yet." And this is Abe, only there is a four day gap instead of thirty years. Since Abe is unable to comprehend that Aaron exits the first box turned on, he doesn't understand how the Argon is leaking out. Obviously, some leaks out when Aaron gets in at the B end and opens the door once again when he arrives at the A end.(plus any residual leaks over an eight day period. This is why Abe is concerned, "There's always leaks." Aaron is truly surprised by this, "There's leaks!". Since neither of them takes an Argon bottle to replenish, one must assume that there is enough Argon in the box at the B end to facilitate the full trip back to the A end. It should also be noted that the fungus is never brought up again.

THE PHONE CALL

Who is the narrator? Aaron. Undebateable. Who is he calling? Why is he calling? Let's start with which Aaron is calling. It is Aaron(2). Aaron(3) is trapped playing any number of past Aarons, whichever ones he has on his recording.(More about him later.) Aaron(2) is the one who fights with Aaron(3) and decides to exit. He leaves to go to France, which is shown only at the end of the film. (This way, we don't find out about Aaron(3) until the film's grand revelation.)

Aaron(2) calls Abe(1). He does not need to identify himself, Abe knows his voice. Abe listens. He does not interrupt. (Something Aaron could never do.) Aaron is clearly attempting to control Abe. Why would Abe believe that Aaron is a real time traveler? It is due to Abe being gassed, drugged, and locked in a bathroom for at least a day. If Aaron is hoping that Abe will be content to know that he already built a time machine and not go any further than that, he should realize that it is beyond man's ability to retreat so near to such an achievement. Aaron(2) has learned that Abe(2) may have corrupted Abe(1)'s box."He's got it wired wrong. It doesn't work." Abe is attempting to prevent time travel from occurring in the current time line. "You can't watch them forever." Abe(1) will work in secrecy, rather than in the open. Sounds like the beginning of our story, doesn't it?

"They'll be building their own boxes in another day. And yours already knows what they've built. You're not going to be able to watch them forever." Here Aaron is relating that Abe knew it was capable of time travel long before Aaron did. Thus, Abe(2) can not travel back to the moment before time travel occurred to stop it. He can fail-safe, corrupt the box, and delay events; but prevention is out of his control. Abe can only perform damage control. Aaron(2) is indebted to Abe(1) for his creation of the box and he seems instrumental in overseeing its recreation. (Call it a Safety Paradox: One exists and insures their own future existence) Aaron is angry at Abe(2) and recognizes that Abe(2) has already attempted to prevent Aaron(2) from existing. Abe(1) made Aaron(2)'s life possible. The debt has been repaid.

When I first started to discuss this topic on line, I was the only source. Everyone was determined to believe that Aaron(3) was calling Aaron(1). I didn't have the book written back in those early years. When the book was released, more and more fans started to grasp the significance of this detail. Some refused to accept this. Later, while promoting the DVD release of Primer in France, Carruth actually admitted that the narrator was the second Aaron. Asked if he was calling Abe, Shane replied that it could only be Abe. End of discussion.

THE DIFFICULTY OF PERFECTION

If you can understand that from Abe's perspective in the second time line, he turns on the fail-safe and 15 minutes later Aaron(2) pops out (but he is not identified as a time traveler until later). This immediacy helps us to see how Aaron(3) and Abe(2) are present simultaneously as well (from an outside perspective). So as Abe builds the box, it is quite possible for Abe(2) to try to sabotage it. Also, Aaron(3) can act to repair the box. So the box can work for a few hours, then suddenly not work. In the second time line, it seems that Aaron(2) was capable of repairing the box, even if Abe(2) had tried to contain future time travel (or at least the box Abe(1) constructed).

Aaron(3) seems to feel that his survival is dependent upon not creating a paradox, especially since he personally experienced the Granger incident and fears something similar could happen to him.. If Aaron(2) will not get back into the box, then his survival could be threatened. Aaron(3) could also be just a past rendition of Aaron(4). Aaron(2) realized, as he stated at the gas station, that he is living in a repetition where all of his actions are virtually programmed. Even if he would alter his course from the previous unremembered time line (now in revision), then Aaron(3) could always just reset the day and insure that Aaron(2) is not able to disrupt his plans again. Perfection has a high price.

(I'm adding some information here 5/13) I was asked how would it be possible for Aaron to 'redo' the party 20 times without creating 20 Aarons? This is something that confuses everyone. What we see Aaron(2) and Aaron(3) do is just the opposite. But, perhaps Aaron(3) learned that drugging Aaron(1) wasn't the best idea. Except now, he can not "go back and tell myself not to." Aaron(3) confronts and struggles with Aaron(2), but perhaps he learns a valuable lesson. That being: to relive the timeline, he must be humble enough to believe his future self and quietly leave the timeline by getting back in the box.

So, exit the box at 9:15, turn it off, turn it back on again because if this version doesn't work out as well as you want, you can go back to 9:30 and get the 9:15 version of you to get back in the box. As long as he gets back in the box and disappears, then you are in sole control with all of the knowledge of the past timelines. (It isn't necessary to turn the box off and on. But that would mean you would have to use a different box because when the self you supplant leaves, he has to turn off the box. I would keep the number of boxes to a minimum and risk the loss of 15 minutes.)

ABE AND AARON

Abe and Aaron have a unique friendship. They are computer geeks with shirts and ties to prove it. Abe typically is uneasy around sport jocks. These guys have to try to fit in. It is much easier for the average kid to identify with these two than with some ‘hero’ like Rambo or Rocky. There is a strong bond between Aaron and Abe; a deep trust, ripe for exploiting. Carruth has created two great characters and friends. I put them right up there with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Hawkeye and Hunnicut, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. Like the boys, Primer fans often obsess over minor details, agonize about technical terms. They study deep paradox theories and plot intricacies. To some, reading this is cheating, admitting mental defeat. It is in the true spirit of Abe and Aaron. Use your mind and try to figure it out yourself.

I must admit, once you learn the solution to Primer, it is easy to lose perspective. Carruth said he never intended Primer to be so difficult to solve. Remaining objective is difficult. A lot of fans have been misled into believing well-intended but flawed theories. Others have become disillusioned and feel that the answer is unknowable.

What is complicated is that Abe and Aaron play against each other. There are a lot of dishonest statements. Some of it is hidden by future versions repeating lines from past versions. Also, some of your future selves can be your ally or your opponent. They might even travel back, punch you in the nose, and erase your memory of the whole ordeal. Either way, it is very easy to get a bit dazed when trying to break the whole timeline down. I will try to go one step at a time.

MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE

In the same manner in which a released hostage has to be debriefed, you may need some time to adjust to the bright light of the cause and effect timeline. It was described as a feedback loop. When you look into a series of mirrors, you will see an infinite number of reflections.

So, if Abe told Aaron about the box and it turned out to be a bad decision, he could go back and change that event. This new cause will produce a new effect as, Aaron’s response to not being told about the boxes. Aaron may attempt to steal them or use them in an unsafe manner. If Abe goes back and tries to relive the first timeline, he may unwittingly be starting a loop where he continually tries to change that event. Even if Abe has a third or fourth option, it just complicates matters if the final option leads back to reliving the first option.

But, you may say that Abe would be aware of the infinite loop. Aaron would not be aware of it. Remember though, that very quickly, both Abe and Aaron are using the boxes. Thus, neither one is aware of what the other is doing. This allows both of them to be in a continual loop without recognizing that fact. There are much more than one or two events in Primer. Keep your sunglasses on.

Both Aaron and Abe are controlling time. If everything was discussed openly and honestly, there would be no problems. Every time one of them uses the box, they erase the previous timeline from the others memory. They need to trust one another. It is hard to prevent the other person from using the box. So they continue to deceive one another, pretending to be their past self. Abe doesn’t realize at first that when he exits his fail-safe, Aaron(2) is already in the timeline.

GROUNDHOG DAY

Phil is in a continual loop of the same day, over and over. He can learn from his errors, anticipate what others will do, and continue his path until he finds success. Rita and Larry are stuck too. However, each day erases the previous one for them. While each rewrite is unique, they react in a similar fashion, even saying the same exact things. They are completely unaware of the repetitions. For them, it is one day.

Knowing Rita’s personality allows Phil to manipulate events, earning her praise and affection. Phil also learns how to help others despite his selfish personality. Aaron displays some of the same emotional conflicts, loneliness, fate and destiny. He has become untethered. Phil would understand.

When Aaron uses the time machine, he carries the knowledge of the previous timeline with him. At the same time, he will erase Abe’s memory of that timeline. When Aaron relives the party 19 times to get it just about perfect, Abe remembers only one time, the 19th version for Aaron. When Abe uses his box, it has the same effect on Aaron. They continue to learn and erase the others learning process. This is why their use of the boxes leads to actions and reactions that allow them to relive the events over and over again without realizing it.

Abe and Aaron need to understand that this is the cause of the feedback loop. Only then can they begin to figure a way out without causing a paradox disaster. There simply is no way to control the power of the boxes. It is quickly becoming like an arms race between two superpowers, each one trying to achieve and maintain superiority over the other. It seems the only way to win is not to play the game. The scene where Aaron is talking to Abe at the gas station shows he is beginning to gain valuable insight that he is living in a revision caused by himself or someone else.

WHERE IS IT?

Abe doesn’t realize that he is talking to a time-traveler, not for a long time. Aaron doesn’t know that Abe has received a phone call from another Aaron and knows that he has built a time machine. Aaron hopes that Abe will never use the two large boxes he has secretly built. Aaron slyly suggests that all they have built is an incubator for fungus. Notice how Aaron drops in the sentence, "Where is it?"  Abe tells Aaron that he took it to the shop. Now is Aaron repeating this scene from memory, recording the conversation, or reliving it with the recording?

When anything is repeated, it is impossible to know what the original timeline was like.(Obviously, since Aaron has the recording, this is not the original or first time through. Aaron has exited the box, so he should know where Abe has everything. Thus, he is repeating what he has on the recording.) The idea of building a bigger box; was it really Aaron’s idea or was it Abe’s? If Abe originally said it in the timeline, then in the rewrite of it, Aaron must be sure that Abe comes to that same conclusion, even if he has to suggest it. This will insure that Abe will continue on the same course as the previous timeline. (Unless, Aaron is trying to deliberately alter something, such as Abe becoming suspicious and moving or locking the box that Aaron's previous self must use to repeat himself to avoid a paradox.) Aaron(1) must insure his safe travel through to become the present version of Aaron(2).

Aaron also suggests keeping it someplace safe, safer than in a closet. Some place climate-controlled. Amazing that not a bit of the fungus appears at the, right behind you, U-Haul. Aaron(2) has thus insured that the box will remain at the U-Haul where Aaron(1) will re-enter allowing the current version of Aaron. The U-Haul is now the very center of the Primer Universe.

It’s just too bad that the doors of the storage unit should never be locked. Otherwise, how would you get out from the inside? If you cannot lock it, you cannot control who is going to use it. Even if you never tell anyone, they could always follow you or look up the information on the storage manifest.

WE CAN PUBLISH

 Why does every math geek want to publish his discovery? He wants the recognition of his ability. Aaron may say this out of sheer exuberance originally. He may say it in the rewrite so that Abe does not become suspicious that Aaron is plotting to gain control of the boxes. To do that, Aaron must not only use the fail-safe but bring back a box with him, thereby duplicating it. However, that will not last since Aaron(1) will take the box and disappear with it. In order to have a lasting duplicate, or third box, Aaron(2) must stop Aaron(1) from taking that box. Also, if Aaron(1) finds the third box, he will have no need to use the fail-safe. Then Aaron(2) will have created not only a duplicate box but a duplicate Aaron.

As it turns out in the timeline, Aaron(2) exits the fail-safe with the other box. Abe does not know anything about this box.. Abe's boxes are identical, the fail-safe has been running longer than the other box.

The second major timeline has Abe building the fail-safe with Aaron immediately exiting with his very own box. This can allow Aaron(2) to be in control of the box that is running the longest. He can go back in time at least 15 minutes farther than Abe can, even more if he turns the fail-safe off and restarts it at a later time than in the original timeline.

Having hindsight into the past may give one some insight on what to do. But how do you decide what to do when you become the past self? As Aaron(2) is about to find out, it is not easy to trust your future self, Aaron(3). When Aaron(3) tells Aaron(2) to get in the box and allow Aaron(3) to become the ‘present’ Aaron, how would Aaron(2) know if this is true or if he is being tricked so that his use of the box will result in his disappearing from the present timeline?

THE KICKER

How does Aaron(2) escape the cause and effect loop? Consider his actions. He, at first, uses the fail-safe and does not interfere with Aaron(1). This is why he does not expect Aaron(3) to fight with him. But by the time Aaron(3) has the struggle with Aaron(2), Aaron(2) cannot be simply convinced that his entrance once again will create Aaron(3). Aaron(3) has the recordings of the day that Aaron(2) has experienced, but he seems to be more than one jump ahead. Aaron(2) fights because he is convinced that his use of the fail-safe will not reset events of the timeline, but rather, cause him to vanish.

Deep in the loop, Aaron(2) may go willingly back in the box. Yet, this allows the loop to continue. For Aaron(2) to step out, he must stop his use of the boxes. This is where and how Aaron exits. However, Abe’s use of the fail-safe keeps resetting events back in time to a point before Aaron(3) meets with Aaron(2). This would erase any knowledge that Aaron(2) has gained. Therefore, Aaron(2) must meet with Abe(2) and teach him to stop the feedback loop. First, the Granger incident must be avoided. Second, Abe must drug his double, which Abe was determined to avoid. This is working the timeline backwards. Abe and Aaron can relive the party together. Since Aaron(2) is determined not to fail-safe again,when Aaron(3) decides to fail-safe with the recordings and confront Aaron(2), he will vanish into the past. Time will finally go forward, with Aaron(2) and Abe(2) exiting and surviving.

Aaron(3) seals his own fate by giving so much information to Aaron(2). This allows Aaron(2) to understand what he must do to exist as a permanent rather than a temporary version. He must trust Abe enough to tell him what has been happening. Abe(2) will fail-safe at the point where Aaron(3) has nearly perfected the party 19 times. Then, the boys rewrite the party scene together, the final version that everyone else will remember.

YOUR EAR IS BLEEDING

A cell phone’s antenna gives off radiation. It damages the acoustic nerve, forming cancers that can cause bleeding. It also does damage on a cellular level, damaging the DNA that allows the cells to repair themselves. Abe and Aaron use their cell phones while in a continual loop, dosing themselves with radiation over and over. Note, the only ear that begins bleeding is the one they use with their phone. Abe was right. You should avoid all electronic devices.

Aaron’s bleeding, which precedes Abe's own ordeal, is a sign that he has been doing a lot more time traveling than Abe. It is a sign for the audience as well. By the time we see Abe’s ear bleeding, we should know that they are both doing a lot of traveling, just like the Weebles.

Aaron should avoid making the narrator’s phone call heard at the beginning and the end of the film. It would avoid another cause and effect feedback loop. The ending is significant. It shows that Aaron knows that Abe(2) cannot guarantee that he will prevent Aaron(1) and Abe(1) from successfully building and using the time machine. It may even cause a paradox, eliminating both Abe(2) and Aaron(2). Abe(2) could even cause greater problems by his attempts to thwart their destiny.

THE END

At the end of the film, Abe(2) thinks he can prevent Abe(1) from building the boxes. He thinks he has changed the future by stepping out of the feedback loop. He does not realize that Abe(1) is himself, about to receive the phone call from the exiting Aaron(2). True, this is a different week, but the main characters are essentially the same people in a different set of circumstances and events. If Abe(2) allows himself to interfere with the boys, he will get sucked right back into the new cause and effect loop that Abe(1) and Aaron(1) will create.

If they are successful despite Abe(2)’s efforts, the feedback loop will result with a similar ending, spitting out another Aaron(2). Any interference will just make the boys extra paranoid. Waking up in a closet or attic has that effect on people. Abe(1) will build a box based on receiving the phone call. If Abe(2) notices that Aaron(1) vanishes, it will be proof that Abe(1) built a working box after all. Then Abe(2) will be powerless to stop them from creating havoc. There is always the possibility that Abe(2) understands this. He could keep one of the boxes in the storage facility as his own fail-safe. He would use this only if Abe(1) builds a working box. Then, he could go back a few days and prevent Abe(1) and the new Aaron from time traveling. Unless, Abe(2) exits the fail-safe and finds out that Aaron(1) is already Aaron(2) the time traveler. Then someone would have to come and rescue them all. If only someone a month from now would find out, be able to travel back in time for 30 days or so, and be able to help Abe(1), Aaron(1), and Aaron(2) escape the new loop they are bound to become stuck in.

To do that, you would have to build a very large box, far away from the locales of Dallas. Paris perhaps. Aaron(2) may promise himself to never return. Unless, unless he finds out that Aaron(1) has disappeared along with Abe and Abe.

HOW TO USE THE FAILSAFE

I came to understand how to use the fail-safe. I thought I had every answer in my mind. As I went to write this page down the first time, I realized while I was writing on the topic of how Aaron should have used the fail-safe, that it was exactly what Aaron did.

Originally, Abe teaches Aaron that you must leave the box running whenever you exit from it, as you are inside the box traveling backwards. While well-intentioned, it is incorrect.

You can leave it on and wait for your former self to get in the box and disappear. But, you can overwrite this part without creating a paradox. This means that, you can skip this part completely. As you exit the box, you are in a new timeline. It does not matter if you leave the box running as you are not in the box. Your travel has created a new timeline that overlaps the original timeline. It would be best to leave the box turned off until the time has past where you entered it in the former timeline. Since you are in a new timeline, turning the box off will prevent anyone else from entering that timeline, which could even be yourself. Thus, Aaron(3) can prevent Aaron(4) from entering the timeline by turning the box off after he exits. Aaron(2) does not do this at first, until he confronts Aaron(3). He then considers how to prevent future selves from interfering with his plans.

Abe(2) learns this step when Aaron(2) tells him that he was confronted by Aaron(3). Then, he will travel back to both drug Abe(1) and prevent any future Abe’s. When any future version steps out of the box, they start writing a new timeline. Besides, every time you leave your time machine on, it seems to create a disaster where time travel becomes necessary. So the machine appears to always lead to havoc.

 As a side note on having a running fail-safe, it becomes useless to have it running for any length of time that is more than can be endured. If it is only large enough for four days worth of oxygen and water, then it becomes useless after four days and must be reset again. The only other option is to build a much larger box, one where more food, oxygen, and hopefully a toilet, can be placed within the box