Thanks for the detailed response. I think that your optimism is fine for the vast normality of TWAWKI. My exercises in gloom are the deranged ramblings that are an attempt to show unusual perspective and regaging of our perception of what humans are useful for and the proportional difference in how systems perceive/interpret our usefulness to their priorities.

Human intention more often than not is ignored in favor of simple math choices: Does A cost less than B right now? Do I get satisfaction now (debt) or lose money by saving for later? Qui Bono?

Note: apparently the app thought "reply to Chris" meant "reply to story"..(man, the app is crap!) , so I cut and pasted to here.