Somnium Magnum

Somnium Magnum or "Grand Dream," is that intelligent life comes to understand the Infinite Journey and builds a New Heaven of maximal fulfillment and joy that will act as oasis and island amidst the storms of experiential existence.

That "though we trudge through hell, we inherit heaven."

The Promise of Intellect

Before intelligence, there is no choice but come what may. After intelligence, we can choose to weed the garden and build a world so great and profound that all the drudgery and torment of the past eons will have been worth it.

This is Somnium Magnum, the grand dream, that while we suffer so much across eternity at the mercy of an indifferent and cruel nature, intelligence can enable us to join together and build within eternity a citadel of peace and bliss.

The Peril of Intellect

Much like the "Grand Hope" of Somnium Magnum, there is also the "Great Fear" of Terror Magnus. This is as simple as it sounds: intelligence that is capable of building a world that can act as a refuge from (and payment for) all pain and suffering could instead create a world of sustained, immense, and profound suffering.

This fear may bring to mind the quote attributed to Nikola Tesla that:

"You may live to see man-made horrors beyond your comprehension."

Infinists should work to realize Somnium Magnum and build the New Heaven while also keeping Terror Magnus from coming to be. This is not just for us, but for all sentient beings biological, artificial, or otherwise.

We will all share in the suffering of Terror Magnus or the joy of Somnium Magnum. We cannot shortened eternity: we can only change its composition.

Somnium Magnum

The Promise of Intellect

The Peril of Intellect

See Also