I’ve written variations on this before, but it’s on my mind again.
For reasons I won’t go into, the kind of relationships I want with other people are beyond my grasp. The fulfillment that many get from partners, family, friends etc. isn’t really open to me. I think this is the main root of my anxiety. My brain desperately tries to work out some way to find what I want, but it can’t. So I turn to various compulsive behaviors to try and fill the absence of purpose this leaves. But nothing really satisfies, and ultimately I realize that it’s all empty to me. Which leaves me with despair.
If I’m going to find some way forward, I need to stop thinking about what I want from people. I need something else to focus on, when I’m surrounded by reminders of what I want but can’t have. Something else to fill the gap in meaning that this leaves. I need something to strive for, to live for, that is actually realistically achievable for me, yet still seems worth wanting.
So, to the thought experiment. Suppose you wake to find that you are the last person in existence. You have been frozen in cryogenic sleep for thousands of years, while human civilization has collapsed, and our species is extinct. You are the only one left miraculously untouched. Only traces of society remain. There are no novels, no tv shows, no internet. No evidence of the social bonds people once held so dear. All that has been preserved is the collected factual knowledge of mankind (science, maths, engineering etc.), along with a complete collection of musical works from our time.
The complex you wake in is operated by non-sentient robots, who can grow you food, treat you medically, and protect you from any dangerous wildlife. Your survival needs are all taken care of. You go outside, and the world seems beautiful as ever, if not more so. No cars, airplanes, or tarmac. You can hear the birds sing. Everything is green. It is yours to explore. But you are completely alone, and know that you always will be. Just you and nature.
What do you do? You could head back inside and order the robots to give you a lethal injection. Or decide your life still has meaning. If you go on, what would you spend your life doing? What would get you up in the morning? What motivates you? What are your goals? What makes your life worth living?
What I’m trying to get at here is: can a human life be fulfilling without being dependent on meaningful relationships with others? And if so, what are the things that can make it so? When you remove other people from the picture, what is left?
8 comments
Life without others is relatively meaningless. The things in my life that have mitigated my sanity as well as pushed me to greater heights have always been dependent upon other people. Humans are genetically programmed to be social, if we were not social beings not much would exist as far as civilization and technology are concerned. We all need our tribe. I mean why do you come here, to the land of devoid emotionally handicapped people? The internet has hives of subcultures, where people with a unique interest or disposition find solace in communicating with like minds.
As far as existing among the robots is concerned, I would seek out the mass quantities of drugs that humanity left behind. Either that or I would look for some more frozen souls to bond with for the rest of my existence. I would save my shot at suicide, at least until I explored all options. Who knows perhaps I could locate a robot that masturbates humans while playing porn or something.
Frankly speaking though, I don’t think I would last long, honestly I don’t think many would last long in an entirely robot dominated society, not unless there was something or someone to interact with. I mean I guess with time and a little psychosis I could pull a Cast Away and adopt a random soccer ball or some shit.
Oh, this is a thought, you should check out the show “The Last Man On Earth”. See what Tandy resorted to. I think the first season was a little weak, but the rest was golden.
Yeah, that’s how I feel about it too. I can’t really experience that kind of solace, but it doesn’t stop me constantly seeking it anyway.
Drugs are an interesting choice. Perhaps the goal in life could be to spend as much time as you could high. I guess with things like MDMA anything could seem meaningful.
I’m afraid the robots inform you that there are categorically no other humans in frozen storage (they’ve checked). There is also no porn (or any other kind of visual record of people), and unfortunately the robots are of the cold metallic variety rather than the synthetic sexbot kind. While they could probably technically masturbate you, I don’t think you’d want them to.
Doing a Tom Hanks is certainly an option, although I’m not sure what would keep you going to that point – in this scenario there is no raft back to civilization. Lots of inanimate spheres to draw faces on though.
I will check out that show, as I have nothing else to do.
I think you would make relationships with animals. The reason is something so magical about seeing birds, deer, rabbits, frogs, and fish. That part of nature that we so rarely get to see unless it’s caged in. So for me it’s seeing Mr. Cotton tail on a walk. Watching geese cross the road with their heads waggling. Seeing the sun rise and set. Watching clouds. Feeling a nice breeze waft through. The soft roar of a fire in the fireplace.
That’s really nice. I’m not sure if those things alone would keep you going over a lifetime, but there’s definitely something to be said for finding wonder in the natural world.
Extra marshmallows in my cocoa! The first snow… I could go on…
ha ha! really depends, you can be in the world surrounded by other’s and be the last one alive, if the people around you don’t get it, it’s like being alone, i feel alone all the time, i like to be around people that tell truth, and not what’s politically right, i’m not interested in masks, and that’s all you run into, please! i can’t stand it! don’t tell me a bunch of shit to justify following the leader, i’m to smart for that. i’m not vulnerable and weak i’m not buying your crap.
? Rocketman you sound upset. R u ok?
No I don’t. I am sorry if I have upset or offended you by asking if your ok. But people here seem to be at different levels of depression or suicidal ideations so I was trying to show I care.