Warning: This post contains potential spoilers regarding the ending of the novel “Fall of Hyperion” by Dan Simmons!

For a time now philosophy, literature and my own worldview align in a constellation that is very helpful in terms of orienting myself in this world and in how far my own system can be meaningful in a universe presumably devoid of any meaning from a nihilistic standpoint, even though I am not a nihilist at all. I just think the concept is very helpful in terms of positioning myself and my worldview in the bleakest form of a universe imaginable (an uncaring and indifferent universe depicted in the works of Lovecraft and Ligotti).

If I come to thinking about the bleak perspective one may take on the ending of Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons, the feeling would be the same.

But I have found some interesting aspects in the underlying philosophy of Dan Simmons that may give you a hopeful outlook even if the universe in Simmons story is razed down at the end of the story.

There are a few takeaways I want to discuss here which I found compelling and noteworthy.

1. The foreseeing quality of Dan Simmons: Interestingly, many aspects of how dependency on technology, especially AI is rendering humanity in a paralyzed state without the will to evolve is a very tangible subject. Humanity lets itself be enslaved by technology without questioning the bad outcomes and trades its soul for the comforts of technology. That sounds a bell, doesn’t it?
2. Only with the big blackout in the end of the novel humanity crushes the chains of its slavery, namely being subdued to technology in the form of AI
3. The future is, all in all, always in motion and it’s not fixed. Small changes induced by individuals make a difference.
4. Soul and love are something that cannot be mimicked by technology.
5. Technology and the universe are not necessarily evil, but they are indifferent and, from the human perspective, malevolent.
6. Individuals are not helpless.
7. Faith becomes something that is not necessarily bound to religion or a single deity, but more something that gives this whole void called the Universe structure and meaning, even though we may not grasp it.
8. The way that Father Duré points out how divinity and god is represented in nature is depicted in a Spinozian way of pantheism.

All in all, there is a high level of self efficacy of groups of people and individuals, a strong advocacy for progress, but not through unquestioned technological, but humane and spiritual progress.

There are a lot of layers in this grand masterpiece of literature. Science Fiction (serves my inner nerd), philosophy (serves my inner attitude towards looking at the world in a non-nihilistic way), Cosmic Horror (indifferent, large Universe and powers that are not clearly comprehensible to humans, which contrasts with my personal view of establishing a positive system in which I can find meaning).

This is why I read, write, argue, play and draw a lot. To keep my sanity, stay focused on my way of Recovery and living a meaningful life striving towards the Clear Horizon.

Until next time, keep up the faith in yourself and take one step at a time.