Darkover
Archangel
- Jul 29, 2021
- 5,280
In a world marked by suffering, decay, and inevitable loss, it is not surprising that one would question the very nature of existence itself. What if life could be different? What if it could be free from the relentless threat of harm, disease, and death? What if it could be designed in such a way that suffering no longer taints the experience of being alive? These questions form the basis of a vision that goes beyond the limitations of the biological and the physical. It is a vision of existence where freedom, safety, and ultimate control define the experience of life itself.
At the heart of this vision lies the rejection of the current condition of existence. To live in a world that constantly threatens the individual with decay, injury, and death seems unacceptable. Life, as it is, appears to be a cycle of vulnerability, where one's body and mind are continually at risk from forces beyond their control. This world, in which death is an ever-present threat, is not one that anyone should willingly choose. For many, the idea of being born only to face inevitable demise, with no way to escape the pain and loss that comes with it, is a cruel and unacceptable reality.
For life to be truly worth living, it would require conditions that allow for safety and stability. The constant threats of injury, disease, and decay would need to be eliminated. One would no longer need to worry about the depletion of resources or the fragility of their own body. The ideal existence would not be one that demands sacrifice or subjugation to the natural forces that govern the world; rather, it would be a life where one is free from such fears. In this vision, needs are no longer unmet. There would be no internal contradiction in one's desires and reality. To exist without constantly striving for basic survival would be to live in a world where suffering is no longer an intrinsic part of the human experience.
Moreover, the environment in which this ideal life takes place would be a place where ownership and belonging are not mere illusions. The current condition of life, in which individuals take from the environment to sustain themselves, is a constant reminder of the precariousness of existence. There is always a need to seek shelter, resources, or protection from the environment, creating a cycle of dependence and insecurity. In this ideal vision, one would not need to take from the world to survive, nor would they need to constantly protect themselves from its dangers. Instead, the environment would be a safe, nurturing space that provides for all needs without conflict.
The most radical aspect of this ideal life is the ability to choose existence and non-existence at will. The power to disintegrate into nothingness whenever one desires, rather than be subject to the whims of mortality, offers a level of autonomy that seems to transcend the biological limitations of life. To live with the knowledge that one can choose to end their existence on their own terms would provide the ultimate sense of control, allowing for freedom from the fear of an uncontrollable, inevitable death. It is the ultimate assertion of one's autonomy — the power to live or cease living according to personal choice.
However, even beyond the question of survival, the ideal life calls for something more profound: the ability to explore the infinite potential of existence. In a world where limitations govern nearly every aspect of our lives, the need for ultimate freedom becomes apparent. The ideal existence would require not only survival but the ability to reshape oneself and the world around oneself endlessly. Infinite computing power, unrestricted by physical laws or limitations, would allow for the exploration of every possibility. This would be a world in which curiosity is never punished, where there are no boundaries to growth, understanding, and self-improvement. In such a life, one could continually redesign themselves, constantly evolving, learning, and experiencing without the constraints imposed by biology, society, or the natural world.
At its core, this ideal existence is about more than just freedom from pain and death; it is about gaining full access to knowledge and understanding. It is not enough to merely exist — one must understand the very nature of their being, the structure and systems that govern their existence, and the environment in which they operate. True freedom comes from knowing and being able to change the machine that one is. To fully understand one's own nature, to comprehend the limits of one's body and mind, and to possess the knowledge required to transcend those limits, is the ultimate form of autonomy.
In conclusion, the vision of an ideal existence is a powerful reflection of the desire for control, safety, and limitless potential. It is a rejection of the suffering and limitations inherent in biological life, and a call for a world where one can choose their own path, free from fear, decay, and death. It is a life not bound by the natural world but instead one where curiosity, understanding, and self-determination reign supreme. This ideal existence, though currently unattainable, represents a profound yearning for a way of living that is free from the suffering and constraints that define human life as we know it.
At the heart of this vision lies the rejection of the current condition of existence. To live in a world that constantly threatens the individual with decay, injury, and death seems unacceptable. Life, as it is, appears to be a cycle of vulnerability, where one's body and mind are continually at risk from forces beyond their control. This world, in which death is an ever-present threat, is not one that anyone should willingly choose. For many, the idea of being born only to face inevitable demise, with no way to escape the pain and loss that comes with it, is a cruel and unacceptable reality.
For life to be truly worth living, it would require conditions that allow for safety and stability. The constant threats of injury, disease, and decay would need to be eliminated. One would no longer need to worry about the depletion of resources or the fragility of their own body. The ideal existence would not be one that demands sacrifice or subjugation to the natural forces that govern the world; rather, it would be a life where one is free from such fears. In this vision, needs are no longer unmet. There would be no internal contradiction in one's desires and reality. To exist without constantly striving for basic survival would be to live in a world where suffering is no longer an intrinsic part of the human experience.
Moreover, the environment in which this ideal life takes place would be a place where ownership and belonging are not mere illusions. The current condition of life, in which individuals take from the environment to sustain themselves, is a constant reminder of the precariousness of existence. There is always a need to seek shelter, resources, or protection from the environment, creating a cycle of dependence and insecurity. In this ideal vision, one would not need to take from the world to survive, nor would they need to constantly protect themselves from its dangers. Instead, the environment would be a safe, nurturing space that provides for all needs without conflict.
The most radical aspect of this ideal life is the ability to choose existence and non-existence at will. The power to disintegrate into nothingness whenever one desires, rather than be subject to the whims of mortality, offers a level of autonomy that seems to transcend the biological limitations of life. To live with the knowledge that one can choose to end their existence on their own terms would provide the ultimate sense of control, allowing for freedom from the fear of an uncontrollable, inevitable death. It is the ultimate assertion of one's autonomy — the power to live or cease living according to personal choice.
However, even beyond the question of survival, the ideal life calls for something more profound: the ability to explore the infinite potential of existence. In a world where limitations govern nearly every aspect of our lives, the need for ultimate freedom becomes apparent. The ideal existence would require not only survival but the ability to reshape oneself and the world around oneself endlessly. Infinite computing power, unrestricted by physical laws or limitations, would allow for the exploration of every possibility. This would be a world in which curiosity is never punished, where there are no boundaries to growth, understanding, and self-improvement. In such a life, one could continually redesign themselves, constantly evolving, learning, and experiencing without the constraints imposed by biology, society, or the natural world.
At its core, this ideal existence is about more than just freedom from pain and death; it is about gaining full access to knowledge and understanding. It is not enough to merely exist — one must understand the very nature of their being, the structure and systems that govern their existence, and the environment in which they operate. True freedom comes from knowing and being able to change the machine that one is. To fully understand one's own nature, to comprehend the limits of one's body and mind, and to possess the knowledge required to transcend those limits, is the ultimate form of autonomy.
In conclusion, the vision of an ideal existence is a powerful reflection of the desire for control, safety, and limitless potential. It is a rejection of the suffering and limitations inherent in biological life, and a call for a world where one can choose their own path, free from fear, decay, and death. It is a life not bound by the natural world but instead one where curiosity, understanding, and self-determination reign supreme. This ideal existence, though currently unattainable, represents a profound yearning for a way of living that is free from the suffering and constraints that define human life as we know it.
