Submitted by Gwyshton on Sun, 10/11/2009 - 08:37
Destroying the Universe 101:
Purpose needs us because existence has no purpose; only people do. Although people are a part of existence, so in a way the universe does have purpose. However, only certain parts of it do and it's really more of a chance alignment of the stars than anything. The point is that the reason we struggle so much to find meaning in the universe is because there is none. We just pretend there is, and there's nothing wrong with that. We have to pretend; it's simply impossible not to. Even if that purpose is to destroy the universe, there is still going to be a purpose of some sort.
Also, what if my fav. sci fi scenarios come true and the galaxy is lorded over by God Machines? Then what? Well, despite having all this power, there would really be nothing to do with it all. I suppose you could try calculating things to ever greater degrees of precision for all eternity, but where's the fun in that? You could try simulating Earth again, but then where's the progress? It seems stupid to destroy the world only to recreate in a less perfect form in a simulation.
The truth is, not even the Gods can create purpose. If you are as obsessed about things having a point as I am, then I'm afraid your only recourse is to destroy the universe. This is not a terribly satisfying solution as it's really only a permanent way of putting aside the issue, but it's also the best we can come up with. Regrettably, it's also probably impossible. 
Still, if we ever do get to the point where we are stuck deciding which fancy equation our ridiculously powerful planet sized computer will compute until the end of time, then it might as well solve the omnicide equation.
Then again, there's just as little reason to destroy the universe as there is not to destroy it. It's a completely arbitrary choice. But it is one that you cannot avoid making. :<
That is all.
(Created just so I could make a blog post before I leave)
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Comments
Hmm. No. I think that
Hmm. No.
I think that what you're trying to say here is that a universe ruled entirely by natural forces is without purpose. Which is fair enough, humans are basically made so that they see patterns where there aren't necessarily any.
If there is a guiding force, such as your God Machines, then there is a purpose to existence itself though. Even if it is just to calculate its eventual outcome. The implication of a being having created something is that there is a purpose to the creation. Not that I personally have any faith in such a solution, but yes, god implies purpose. And your arguments as to why god cannot create purpose are... not there.
Of course, if the creation of the universe is purely a matter of mathematical probability, then there is no purpose to the universe. And you can either take the vantage point that life is utterly meaningless in the big picture, we all die, the world keeps spinning till the sun goes out at which point we'll all be long dead. The universe contracts and starts over. There's no point and we all die in the end. It's a rather gloomy, but not entirely inaccurate perspective. Or you can say that all we've got is this brief precious time alive, and that we should make the best of it. It's the choice Doctor Manhattan makes in Watchmen. Either all life is precious, or none is.
Taking a position on whether or not to destroy the universe may be arbitrary, because it is ultimately unattainable, the reasoning for doing so is therefore more important. Why do you think a life without purpose is worse than no life at all?