The frequency interpretation of objective chance is strained when the phenomenon in question — the development of closed timelike curves — may be non-repeated.

Another open question is whether physically more realistic spacetimes than Misner also permit the operation of time machines and how generic time-machine spacetimes are in particular spacetime theories, such as general relativity. If time-machine spacetimes turn out to be highly non-generic, the fan of time machines can retreat to a weaker concept of Thornian time machine by taking a page from probabilistic accounts of causation, the idea being that a time machine can be seen to be at work if it