[ They probably should get off the shelf now, huh? Ford finally climbs back down as well, though he pauses at Lev's question. That's a pretty heavy subject to suddenly touch on, but instead of discomfort Ford's expression is one of melancholic understanding. His thoughts immediately drift to the version of himself that never fell through the portal, and how much better that Ford's life seemed to be.

(He's a little startled to realize he's less envious of that life now than he was even just a few months ago.) ]

I wish I could say there was a definitive answer, but the reasons are as varied as the dimensions themselves.

But I can say that the most meaningful differences I've discovered were caused by conscious decisions made by specific individuals, rather than random happenstance.

[ He's never been able to decide if that's more or less reassuring than the alternative. ]