Pond-Dweller

Kevin Kelly writing about a video game called "Mass Effects" elucidates the concept of  Cosmicism here.


The author of the games says: "Cosmicism is not merely the idea that there is no meaning in the universe. It’s far worse. Instead, the argument is that there is meaning, but it is so far above and beyond human understanding that we can never attain meaningful existence."


In the game Sovereign (a god-like eternal entity) declares: "Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Your lives are measured in years and decades. You wither and die. We are eternal. We are the pinnacle of evolution and existence."


The philosophy of cosmicism orginated with H. P. Lovecraft.  "Humans are particularly insignificant in the larger scheme of intergalactic existence..."


This all "makes sense" to me.  We humans are particularly insignificant in the larger scheme, no doubt.  And if there is a race of eternal, God-like entities, we probably look to them no better, or no more important than pond scum.


But if you are pond scum, the doings of pond scum probably seems pretty damn important to you!  So yes, we are left to our own devices.  If we want "meaning," and "hope" and "purpose" in our lives we can't look to the gods or the galaxies for a clue.  We must "generate" or invent these things for ourselves.


And maybe it's a good thing to be reminded that, although how we live, and what we do, is important to us, it isn't all that important to the "Gods" (if they are out there), or to the universal forces beyond our realm.  This all seems like a sensible and livable philosophy; not nihilistic, or depressing in the least.  I mean, at least that's how it seems to this insignificant little pond-dweller.