[papapra]

One line that stuck out for me: "To the best of our scientific knowledge, human life has no meaning."

Maybe the meaning of life should be to improve our scientific knowledge. By understanding more deeply the nature, the universe that we live in and how the brain works, we could answer better this question.

[Kholo]

There is a good Micheal Chricton interview somewhere out there where he says meaning is just a post facto story we learn to cook up over time. You ask a 5 year old WHY they want a particular thing and all you will get is BECAUSE. Over time that 5 year old realizes he better come up with a good story people want to hear cause everyone keeps bringing up this WHY question for every other action he takes. There is no why there is just the fact that you want chocolate ice cream right now or you want to climb that mountain or save the world. The why part is just a story you need when others look at you quizzically.

[majewsky]

So the meaning of life is to do those things as often as possible that hit the metaphorical reward button in the brain as hard as possible? :)

[Kholo]

Find the things that are in your nature. Do it to the best of your ability. That's how things like the Taj Mahal get built. It's not just about instant gratification.

[_h_o_d_]

from Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations §217: 'If I have exhausted the justifications, I have reached bedrock and my spade is turned. Then I am inclined to say: "This is simply what I do."'

[FullMtlAlcoholc]

> To the best of our scientific knowledge, human life has no meaning." Maybe the meaning of life should be to improve our scientific knowledge.

This has been the conundrum of the existentialist for well over a century. However, you need to consider those who don't enjoy science. For me personally, it was mostly the arts that spurred my love and thirst for scientific knowledge.

Thea beauty of being human (assuming free will isn't an illusion) is that since life has no meaning, the individual gets to define a personalized meaning of life.

If one finds the popping of bubble wrap their life's calling and has their physical, psychological, social, etc. needs met, then by all means pop those bubbles until transcendence. :)

[papapra]

I agree, not everybody will or can do it. I actually enjoy science, but I found out that I'm not enough good to do something meaningfull.

[FullMtlAlcoholc]

> but I found out that I'm not enough good to do something meaningfull

Don't shortchange yourself. History is an extremely abridged version of reality. For things like, say Einstein's theory, his wife was an important contributor in the sense that he'd converse with her almost every day in formulating his theories.

Of course you have to pay bills, but you don't have to published papers that are heavily referenced to have success. If you enjoy it, that is its own reward.