Years later, and we're still here. I've been meaning to write about all that has happened, but day to day survival has become our most compelling mission. Still, four very distinct movements have emerged in response to the planetary crisis that are worth recording for whomever may stumble upon these words.
Certainly, the various images coming from the Webb space telescope prompted some of the changes, starting with the Great Question Mark, but also images that showed similarities between the formation of the universe and human brain activity. Whether they were accurate or not didn't really matter. They sparked discussions about who we might be and what we are a part of, unlike anything on such a scale before. The world was having a conversation on consciousness and the cosmos.
Members of various religions joined hands believing that salvation would come to them here on earth, or in heaven. They would weather the storms together. God would take care of them. They formed large communities for prayer and worship. The amazing thing was how well they have all been cooperating.
The second movement was spearheaded by scientists and supported by what's left of industry and governments. They've been working on how to leave the planet. The most promising path is the fusion of human and machine. Thousands of human brains, separated from their bodies, but connected to each other, will be loaded into small space craft. These crafts will be launched as quickly as they can be built, from thousands of locations. A.I. designed robot bodies melded with human brains will pilot and care for the ships. The seeds for recreating life and all of human knowledge will travel in each craft. Who would have ever guessed that this could happen?
There was also an Earth-based technological movement for uploading human consciousness into computer banks. Their model is to recreate everything virtually. Gamers love the concept.
The last group, the smallest, have been forging survival communes with the goal of becoming light beings who will no longer be dependent upon machines nor the needs of the body. Meditation and psychedelics are their chosen methods to accomplish this. I feel myself drawn to this path.
There are, of course, a hodgepodge of small survivalist groups working out their own plans privately, and still some lawless elements rampaging, but their appeal has diminished and their numbers keep dwindling.
As for me and Susan, we are not young. We both believe we've had good lives. Neither of us are expecting divine intervention. Susan is still considering whether to join me on the psychedelic path or to have her brain hurtle through space. Before she decides though, I have one last story to tell her. I think it's time.
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