Interlude 12: Incorporeality

Question: Is one’s life worth more the longer one lives?  In many legal systems, the answer is simply – no.  The older a person is, the less time he has left to earn. Therefore – his earning potential decreases, and he has less value.  For example, a young doctor has more earning potential than say . . . a hundred-year-old doctor.  Simply because he has more time left in which to earn.  But inherently, one senses something wrong with this legal precept.  Maybe, because the concept ignores the issue of individual value.  For example, suppose our hundred-year-old doctor knows how to cure cancer and is willing to reveal the secret.  How much would his life be worth, even if he has only one day left to live?  Obviously, some lives are worth more than others.

Now suppose you’re an immortal.  What is your life worth?  Is its value diminished the longer you live?  No, because your earning potential would be, by definition – infinite.  I know, there’s no such thing as infinity, but still . . .  Now suppose someone comes along and says, don’t worry, after you die, you’ll be reincarnated into something or somebody else, and eventually, you will achieve nirvana and godhood.  Would you take the chance?  Risk your very valuable life?  No way if you’re an immortal.  But a mortal . . . hmmm.  Now that’s another story, especially if you have, say, only one more day to live.  It may be an appealing concept.

Of course, the First-Born did not embrace the concept of reincarnation.  But, and here’s the funny part – they actually lived it.  Emphasis on the word “live.”  Remember, endings are abhorrent to “Those Who Came First.”

To begin with, let’s examine what this concept of reincarnation is.  It is a metaphysical construct, which posits that, after death, the essence of a physical being begins a new life in a new physical body or form.  A problem arises when one attempts to define the term essence.  But basically, it’s the sum-total of an individual’s sensory data, understandings, and knowledge.  In other words, the total awareness of one’s mind.  Question – How can this essence be transferred after death or even while alive?  A scientific answer is required.

For starters, let’s ask – what’s an avatar?  The original meaning refers to the embodiment of one entity, usually a god, into something else.  For example, Albert’s an avatar, and so too is Mr. McEvey.  They are small physical representations of their corresponding larger corporeal constructs.  I am told that there was a time when the avatar option was in vogue.  Various species projected their “Presences” elsewhere.  The idea being – why take the risk of going someplace dangerous, especially when one’s life is infinitely valuable.  Is this beyond strange?  Is this completely unbelievable?  No, it’s done all the time on Earth via remotely operated cameras, mics, sensors, etc.  One’s senses are extended and usually amplified without encountering the risk of, say, swimming deep in the ocean.  Add smell, touch, and taste and well . . . you have an avatar. 

A brief note here on sensory inputs.  What are they?  They are chemo-electrical impulses transmitted to the brain by nerve cells.  Can these inputs be emulated?  The simple answer is yes, and it’s done quite regularly with implants.  Certainly, a 2.3-billion-year-old civilization would know this as well.  And it would even become routine.  In certain places, at certain times, they were all the rage.  The being would be safely ensconced in a sensory cage somewhere, importing all its sensory input from a remote entity while simultaneously projecting its thoughts and commands.  Of course, if things got a little dicey, one could always pull the plug.  Frankly, it’s something I’d like to try.  I’ll have to discuss this with my new friends.

Question:  What’s the next logical step beyond the avatar?  How about two beings sharing the same remotely controlled entity while receiving and projecting information.  How about three, how about a hundred, how about . . . even a million.  What would that be like?  To be so intimately connected to the presences of others.  I must confess to ignorance on this matter.  Though it must have been great because most species did it.  As they aged and the process of repair and replacement proceeded, at some point, they simply left their organic bodies behind and merged into collective avatars or beings.  All this happened just prior to the Great Migration.  When they left the Progenitor for a better place.  Some called it heaven, their particular Loci in the Aether.  Near a Genesis Point.

As we all know, the First-Born lost their Paradise.  It was destroyed by something unknown, by what is euphemistically called the “Others.”  Many of the First-Born returned to their home Universe – The Progenitor.  Now, and here’s the interesting part as it pertains to reincarnation: it is written that in between transmigrations, a period of time is spent either in heaven or hell, depending on the karma acquired.  The First-Born spent their time in heaven.  They were good beings.  The analogy, though fun, is fundamentally flawed since no one died.  The point is many chose to leave the collective to be reborn in their original (similar) organic bodies.  And thus, one cycle in the process of reincarnation was completed.  A lot can happen in 2–3 billion years.

Concerning the relevance to Earth history, only three species are significant: the Bree-e-ee, the Ang et Setem, and the Tan Teen.  They returned, though their homeworlds were long gone.  So, for them, the question they faced was – where to go?

“Those Who Were First” were responsible ancestors.  And when they emigrated, they left behind a fleet of Caretakers to, well, “care” for Those Who Were Left Behind.  However, they still kept tabs.  And, as all things are connected, and since information cannot be destroyed, they were aware of the happenings within their home Cosmos.  The strings of Space-Time communicated all to the Mother, and they overheard.

Those who chose to return acquired territory, adapted new homeworlds and built appropriate accommodations.  And when all was made ready, they left their Orb Ships and took up residence.  But they were wary, for the unknown is a fearful thing.  Of course, adequate safeguards were arranged, and a certain level of vigilance was exercised.