Dark Matter by Blake Crouch centers around the life of Jason Dessen, a physics professor at a second-rate college. Jason is married to Daniela Vargas, an artist. Both are happy with the family life, yet constantly regret the successful lives they could have led had they not started a family. In a parallel universe, Jason Dessen actually does not get married to Daniela, but rather creates a machine to transport human beings between alternate universes. This Jason kidnaps Jason, brings him to his home universe, and takes Jason’s place with his family. Jason back in his own universe. Eventually, Jason figures out how to use the machine, but inaccurately. Each time he attempts to come back to his own universe, he ends up in a universe that is slightly different, and is forced to survive off of meager supplies. Eventually, though, he ends up back in his own universe. However, an issue arises; when Jason travels through a specific set of universes, alternate universes are generated where he goes through other universes before coming to his home universe. This thus leads to over one hundred Jasons in one world, all 99.99% identical and all wishing to be with their wife. Through some spontaneity and ingenuity, the “original” Jason is able to find Daniela and his son and run away from his counterparts. Using a chatroom, Jason is able to communicate with his counterparts. Even though Jason has spent many months just trying to get home, realizing that the vast majority of the Jasons are not “copies”, but actually 99.99% him up until a few weeks ago, Jason decides to raffle his family off to the Jasons, allowing pure chance to decide his fate with his loved ones.
	Jason’s decision is one of fairness and justice. Even though he has spent upwards of a month universe hopping with little supplies, he realizes that so have his hundred or so counterparts; staying with his family would simply not be fair. In a sense, though, the fact that the other Jasons are so similar to him (~99%) actually makes the choice easier. It is much easier to care about people when you can put yourself in their shoes, and there is a strong chance that many of the Jasons were wearing the exact same shoes, both literally and figuratively.
	Had I been in Jason’s shoes, I am not sure if I would have made the same choice. I value the product of my effort, and to get to this decision Jason definitely expended quite a bit of effort. I certainly would have labored over this factor for a while. Furthermore, this is family on the line.