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The Cybernetic Architecture of Meaning Survival through Functional
Delusion By Finn, the druid Introduction: The Absurd Foundation The human
condition is defined by a fundamental paradox: we are biological systems
designed for goal-directed action, yet we occupy an "absurd"
universe—a quantum-probabilistic expanse devoid of inherent script or
teleological purpose. In this vacuum, the "function" of meaning is
not to reveal truth, but to serve as a cybernetic feedback mechanism
that ensures the continuance of the organism. This essay posits that meaning
is a neurochemical reward for successful goal-alignment, and that the
"sanity" of the human race is, in fact, a
sophisticated form of "sane insanity"—the ability to invest
absolute significance into arbitrary, "momentary truths" to stave
off systemic collapse. I. The Hierarchy of Goal-Setting:
Macro and Micro Strategies In a
world of "ultimate falsehood," the organism must "cheat"
the survival system to maintain psychological momentum. This is achieved
through a tiered hierarchy of goal-setting: ·
Macro-Goals (The Final Meaning): These
are long-term narratives—careers, legacies, or ideologies. While they appear
"true" to the individual, they serve the evolutionary function of
resource accumulation and reproductive fitness. ·
Micro-Goals (The Ticking Over): When
macro-goals are unreachable or stalled, the system employs "placeholder
goals." Activities like winning at poker, completing a crossword, or
going for a walk provide immediate, context-relevant achievements. These act
as "meaning supplements," preventing the onset of learned
helplessness by proving the organism can still exert agency over its
environment. Example: A job
seeker facing repeated rejection experiences a drop in the "meaning
signal." By winning a strategy game or cleaning their house, they
"trick" the brain into a state of efficacy, generating enough
neurochemical "fuel" to continue the higher-stakes survival contest
of employment. II. Meaning as Cybernetic Feedback If we
view the brain as a goal-seeking engine, "meaning" is the green
light on the dashboard. It is the internal signal that the system is
correctly aligned with a survival-supporting outcome. 1. Alignment: When an
action meets a need, the brain "milks" meaning (and its companion,
happiness) as a reward. 2. The
Signal of Nihilism: Conversely, Nihilism is not a philosophical choice but
a mechanical failure. It occurs when the system cannot generate a
viable goal, leading the engine to "idle" and eventually perceive
its own arbitrariness. This is the "existential vacuum"—the state
where the feedback loop breaks because there is no movement to measure. III. The Evolutionary Utility of "Sane
Insanity" The
aphorism "Only the insane are sane" highlights the evolutionary
filter that has shaped our species. A purely "sane" observer—one
who perceives only the entropic, indifferent truth of the cosmos—would be a
dead end. Evolution selects for the Meaning-Maker, the individual
capable of "self-delusion." ·
The Persistence of the Dream:
Evolution doesn't care if a goal is "real" (e.g., finding water) or
"invented" (e.g., achieving a high score). As
long as the pursuit of the goal keeps the organism active and
integrated into a social hierarchy, the "Continuance" metric is
satisfied. ·
Momentary Truth vs. Ultimate Falsehood: For the
achiever, the goal is "true" while it is being pursued because the
neurochemical feedback is visceral. However, once the goal is attained, the
"meaning" often evaporates (the "mirage" effect), forcing
the invention of a new "momentary truth" to keep the system in
motion. IV. The "Simulated" Contest and Modern
Survival In the
contemporary world, where physical survival is often guaranteed, the
"Goal-Seeking Engine" has been decoupled from direct biological
threats. This has led to an explosion of simulated contests. ·
Social and Digital Proxies: Sports,
video games, and social media likes are "controlled absurdities."
They offer simplified, winnable environments where the "meaning
signal" can be harvested reliably. These simulations are biologically
indistinguishable from "real" survival contests because they
trigger the same achievement-feedback loops. ·
The Function of Art and Ritual: These
serve as sophisticated "dream-making" tools, allowing humans to
harmonize their "insanities" and cooperate on a massive scale,
thereby ensuring group-level continuance. Conclusion: Continuance as the Only Metric Ultimately,
the "function of meaning" is to facilitate continuance by any
means. In the vast, unpredictable expanses of time and space, there is no
"Ultimate Meaning"—only the iterative process of moving from one
achievement to the next. We are "Sisyphus happy," not because the
rock has value, but because the brain is programmed to reward the push. To
live is to successfully navigate a series of useful lies, "ticking
over" until the engine eventually stops, having served the only
objective truth: the persistence of the system against the tide of entropy. The function of meaning in
detail The manifesto of functional absurdity The thermodynamics of
depression Earlier attempts at
understanding depression |