If we do not accept free will, why build a time machine?

Yesterday, we discussed the design of a Time Machine. Now, let’s look at the implications of having such a machine. Would it be of any use? Seems to me that depends on whether we live in a Universe of free will, or determinism—and whether we live in one Universe or a multiverse.

If the Universe is entirely deterministic, then going back in time would be pointless, wouldn’t it? You would be compelled to do all the things you did before all over again. Of course, if it’s in your future to build a time machine, would knowing it’s pointless change anything? If the deterministic Universe has already decided that you are going to build a time machine and go back in time to do everything all over again, doesn’t that leave you stuck in an endless loop? Wouldn’t it be like a real-world Groundhog Day, but a nightmarish one where you can never do what Bill Murray did as Phil Connors and change your moment to moment decisions to escape the loop?

What do you think of the usefulness of a Time Machine?