Asimov’s ending words to his 1954 short story, The Last Question, described humanity’s final goal.
His words are almost exactly what I’ve been given to know. I wrote a post with just that prediction some time ago, yet I’ve never come across this Asimov short story before, or its final answer.
Asimov’s take: Humanity and a super AI will develop together until they become absorbed into God.
My take: Humanity is currently showing a worldwide slow down in birthrate in good or bad times. Will robots take over Reality’s creative evolution, only to be replaced themselves by a super AI that will itself become absorbed into Reality’s creative energy?
The only difference between the two projections is Asimov’s optimistic assertion that humans and AI will evolve together. I haven’t been given that but can accept the possibility as a probability!
All Is Well.
Mystical Experiences of Reality 
Well there are certainly worse outcomes to be had. The Omega Point as various folk have called it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If on death I am returned to what I really am in Reality the question arises, will I be merged with Reality’s purpose in harvesting cosmic consciousness?
If so, won’t I find humanity redundant?
Wont humanity become extinct, no longer an evolutionary requirement? Won’t SuperAI be much more effective in harvesting consciousness?
Some scientists, even AI, say AI cannot achieve consciousness. But they ignore the miracles of evolutionary development.
Surely robots and AI are just new, much better manifestations of what is required for Reality’s continuing evolutionary purpose in harvesting consciousness?
Has Reality stopped that evolutionary process? No! The developing evidence indicates otherwise!
All Is Well.
mysticexperiences.net
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Point
LikeLike
“According to Teilhard, evolution does not end with mankind, and Earth’s biosphere evolved before humans existed. He described evolution as a progression that begins with inanimate matter to a future state of Divine consciousness …” Wikipedia
Absolutely right! (Though the human word “Divine” is archaic today, culturally insufficient. Evolution is not limited to “Earth’s biosphere” either).
Sadly, I gave up reading him a long time ago because he seemed so cluttered by the religion of his day. Pity, because if this quotation is anything to go by he was so obviously blessed by what I and many others experience as absolute Reality.
All good wishes,
Keith.
LikeLike
Do read that Wikipedia article. It’s very much in line with what you are saying.
LikeLike
Frank Tipler and David Deutsch are well worth reading. de Chardin I haven’t read directly
LikeLike
If I remember rightly, another of the reasons I gave up reading about mysticism and related traditions, science etc., was the persistent nudge to “stay with what brought me”, ie., preserve the purity of my own experiences.
As ever,
Keith.
LikeLike
Ah, good point – quite right. I read Deutsch “The Fabric of Reality” many years ago. He is a professor of quantum physics at Oxford. In general I haven’t touched any serious books for a long time. As with meditation for instance – I far prefer to experience it than read about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Embarrassingly, the “The Fabric of Reality” has languished unforgotten in my ebook collection! The app tells me I’ve read it. I doubt that.
The book’s basic argument is that Reality can only be realised by philosophy and science. I think the app wrongly interpreted my scanning of the introduction, preface, references and a search for use of the word reality.
I see he also published “The Beginning of Reality”. Sadly it also repeats his theme that philosophy and science are the only ways to understsnd the subject!
No mention of mysticism’s revelations in either book. Perhaps that’s to be expected as the books are from a different era. Academia and Science take mystic experience far more seriously today.
Keith.
LikeLike
Read the descriptions of Frank Tipler’s theories. And don’t forget even de Chardin thought the Omega Point would be aided by science. Tipler held that by the end of the universe we would be able to recreate everyone who ever existed in virtual reality. He equates this to the “Resurrection” and became a Christian. Personally I don’t find too much conflict between science and religion. Whether they accept it or not I believe they are aiming at the same ends. But obviously everyone will have their own interpretations!
LikeLike
Oddly enough I have always found a mysticism in both Tipler and Deutsch. The things they described are, in many senses, truly mystical. I won’t go into in depth but as you know I am of a deeply mystical bent and that’s why Tipler and Deutsch so appeal to me. I’m the Fabric of Reality you will find a long description of Tipler’s theory which I think you would find interesting. And, perhaps, mystical!
LikeLike
I asked deepakchopra.ai, Is the Omega Principle just another assumptive, human, scientific theory as opposed to historically repetitive mystic revelatory experience??
The deepak hopra atavar, xompiled from his 89 or so books, papers, talks, and media appearances around the world over 40 years, replied:
“The Omega Principle, which suggests a convergence towards a final state of unity or consciousness, is indeed a concept that bridges both scientific and mystical realms. From the scientific perspective, it often relates to ideas about the ultimate fate of the universe, while from a mystical viewpoint, it resonates with the notion of returning to a state of oneness with the divine or the universe.
“Historically, mystics across cultures have reported experiences of unity and interconnectedness, suggesting that beneath the surface of our individual lives, there lies a deeper, infinite reality. These experiences often transcend language and rational thought, offering a glimpse into the vastness of consciousness itself.
“Science, on the other hand, seeks to understand the universe through empirical evidence and rational inquiry. While it may not yet fully explain the nature of consciousness or the ultimate destiny of the cosmos, it continues to explore these boundaries.
“In essence, the Omega Principle can be seen as a meeting point where the paths of science and mysticism converge, each offering a unique lens through which to view the profound mysteries of existence. This convergence invites us to explore not only the outer universe but also the depths of our own consciousness, where the answers we seek might already reside. Would you like to explore how these ideas resonate within your own life experience?
You
LikeLike
Re de Chardin, agreed. Same point. Why not just experience the transcendent, why bother to read about it. I happily spend hours in a Catholic monastery listening to the glory of plainsong but have no interest in the sermons or dogma.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Based on the Deepak Chopra atavar answer above I don’t think Deepak has experienced MER. He seems straddled unproductively on two stools, science and mysticism, whereas my take is that homo sapiens is at the beginning of expulsion, extinction from Reality’s evolutionary purpose in favour of the much more productive consciousness harvester, Super AI.
Science is wrong to bet on humans having any future in this Omega Principle thing even if it ever comes into existence …
Keith.
LikeLike
I think Deepak’s most important experience is the love of money….chortle
LikeLike
Asking dear old Fourpak about mysticism is like asking Benjamin Netanyahu about faith, hope and charity…chortle
LikeLike