To find lifeâs meaning, one must become a great being by growing upward through wisdom from books; growth involves learning and exploration, becoming an adventurer of narrated works. The universeâa dynamic soupâyields new entities (atoms, molecules, microbes, cats, consciousness) through motion, chaos, chance, and accident; eventually random monkeys could produce the source code for strong AI. When consciousness emerges after eons it first doubts its creation by random eternity, then seeks to colonize its galaxy, aiming at selfâbetterment: growing upward via books without starting from zero but building on wise writings. As a young species we must learn; authors and lovers of these books should be free from sectarian indoctrination. The books of clear thinkers form our intellectual inheritanceâa gift and blessing from prior great humans that grants lasting contributions and meaning through appreciation.






















