Why couldn't it just not have happened? Why didn't they have time-travel, why couldn't he go back and stop it happening? Ships that could circumnavigate the galaxy in a few years, and count every cell in your body from light-years off, but he wasn't able to go back one miserable day and alter one tiny, stupid, idiotic, shameful decision...
The quote expresses a deep sense of frustration and longing for the ability to change a painful past event. The character reflects on advanced technologies, such as space travel and medical diagnostics, that make extraordinary feats possible, yet they are powerless to alter history even for a brief moment. This disparity between immense technological progress and personal helplessness highlights a profound existential dilemma.
This sentiment resonates with many, as it captures a universal desire to correct mistakes and escape regret. It underscores the limitations of human agency despite the capabilities of the advanced civilizations depicted in the narrative. The longing for a chance to rewind time and rectify decisions emphasizes the weight of guilt and the nature of remorse that all individuals face, regardless of their achievements.