> Why? I'm not claiming there isn't, or that there is, but it does seem plausible to me that we're just part of a recursive function in the universe that came about due to chance and will last as long as the boundary conditions allow us to.
I didn't mean it in religious sense, that there is a deeper meaning that's prescribed to us. Right now I do believe we're this "part of the recursive function", but we're also that part that recognizes concepts like "meaningful" and can strive to achieve it.
I meant that merely continuing the "grow, reproduce, die" cycle like every other living organism on the planet feels deeply unsatisfying to me. What I find satisfying is learning things, building things, and contributing to the society and the world in a way that makes other people - now and in the future - ever so slightly happier and less in pain.
Everyone struggles with the "deeper meaning" of life. We all want to feel like we're contributing on a global scale, but I think it's helpful to readjust the way you approach things.
Nothing happens on a global scale without starting on an individual scale. We're surrounded by fiction that posits an apocalyptic end of the world, by an number of methods.
Take a few minutes to meditate on what that would really mean to you. If huge global events happen, but don't touch you personally, would it cause a huge disruption to you? How about small local events? I think you'll find they would be much more likely to affect you and much more devastating.
I like to think, "The world doesn't have to end, for your world to end." It helps me grasp the importance of the day to day things I do, and appreciate them.
Enjoy the life you have, help the people around you, and do what you can to make the world just a little bit better. Maybe you'll get lucky and make the world a whole lot better, but making things a bit better is good enough.
I didn't mean it in religious sense, that there is a deeper meaning that's prescribed to us. Right now I do believe we're this "part of the recursive function", but we're also that part that recognizes concepts like "meaningful" and can strive to achieve it.
I meant that merely continuing the "grow, reproduce, die" cycle like every other living organism on the planet feels deeply unsatisfying to me. What I find satisfying is learning things, building things, and contributing to the society and the world in a way that makes other people - now and in the future - ever so slightly happier and less in pain.