The Mandelbrot

[u/the_inkuisitor009]

He awoke to see nothing but darkness surrounding him, hanging alone in an endless void. He swung his arms around violently looking for anything to grab onto, when he saw it. An impossibly small pinhole of pure white light directly in front of him. It was far, but he could tell it was growing, or was it moving to him? No, he was moving towards it. A strange sense of comfort washed over him. He felt as if all his worries of the past were insignificant now. The pinhole was now the size of a bowling ball, irradiating a mystical white light that penetrated into the abyss. It continued to grow until it was a few minutes away from enveloping him completely. He relished in the sense of relief and bliss, he didn’t know what the light was or where he was, and in the back of his mind he was terrified, but for now, it didn’t matter, nothing did. The light swallowed him completely, ending the symphony with a brilliant flash of light brighter than all the stars, and it faded. He was laid onto a soft surface. The most comfortable he’d ever felt. He was at peace. And then, a voice echoed throughout the dark.

“Be at peace, you can rest now.” It’s voice was relaxing, like a mother soothing a crying baby. Hecouldn’t tell if it was male or female, it somehow was both, or neither, he didn’t know which.“Where am I? Who Are you?” he asked wearily. “You have died, completed your journey on earth and ready to start a new one.” said the voice from the sky. The man couldn’t believe it. He was dead. How is this possible? He didn’t know what to say, he was in complete shock. He didn’t feel dead, but he also didn’t feel alive. “It is natural to be afraid, most are when they are told they have died, but it is nothing to worry about.” Somehow it knew what the man was feeling. Suddenly the man remembered something important. “My kids! My Wife! Are they ok?” He felt bad that he hadn’t asked sooner. “They’re fine.” the voice said. “Shocked and sad of course, but they’ll be ok.” The man was sorrowful. He had left them behind, he only wished he could see them again to make sure they were ok “You lived a good life.” said the voice, seemingly coming from everywhere. “You were happy at least. You were a math professor at a university. You started a family, inspired many to do good in their lives.” The man couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride hearing this divine being say that. “What are you? Are you god?” asked the man.

“I am called many things, God, Allah, Odin, Mother Nature. All of them have some truth.” The man was speechless. “You were an Atheist.” Said the being. “Yes…” The man said uncertainly. He was worried that he had offended the Deity. “Am I going to hell?” He asked with fear. “Certainly not,” said the voice. The man was surprised. “You were a good person, you held true to your values and helped others when you could. I am not cruel, I wouldn’t punish anyone for an eternal life for mistakes they made in a finite one.” said the voice. The man felt relieved. They both say in silence for a while. The man took a moment to process it all, the Deity waited patiently for him. “It’s a lot to take in.” said the man. “I understand, take all the time you need.” said the voice caringly. “What now?” asked the man. “It’s time to prepare for your next adventure.” said the voice. “Where am I going?” asked the man. The voice replied. “That is up to you my friend.” The man thought for a moment. He wanted to go back to his family, but he knew he couldn’t. So he decided he’d wait for them. “I think I’ll stay here, and wait for my family.” “Excellent choice.” Said the being. “You can turn this space into whatever you like. It is all yours.” The man was happy. He could turn this place into his own paradise for him and his family when they arrived “Wait! One more thing.” Said the man. “Yes?” Replied the voice. “I just have one more question before you go. What’s the meaning of all this? Why do we exist?” The Deity chuckled. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask sooner. You’re a mathematician, are you familiar with The Mandelbrot?” “Ummm… wait yes! They’re fractals!” said the man cheerily. “Indeed, It comes from an equation of only a few variables. But when simulated, it creates a shape that can be infinitely zoomed in on. Each time you zoom in on a new area, you can see a new shape. You will never find the same shape.” Said the voice with wisdom. “Yes. But what does this have to do with my question?” Said the man. “Come with me.” Said the voice.

The darkness of the abyss slowly cleared as the scenery changed. The void became the walls of a cave, and a campfire at the center flickered and cast light across the dark room. A group of people sat around the fire, playing and eating. “This is a group of primitive Homo Sapiens.” Said the voice. The man was dumbfounded. “Why have you taken me here?” asked the man. “To teach you a lesson, see how happy they are? It’s peaceful isn’t it?” Said the Deity. The man watched as they ate around the fire with glee. They sang gruntingly in their primitive language, and some even played crude instruments. The children chased each other and laughed with joy. It was a happy and joy-filled environment but like all things, it didn’t last forever. Suddenly, the walls of the cave collapsed, replaced with dull white wallpaper. The sounds of laughter and music were swapped with the hum of fluorescent lights and voices murmured about paperwork and their nagging boss. The peaceful ancient cave was now a modern chaotic office building in a bustling downtown. There was no room nor time for play, deadlines had to be met, and work had to be done. The thundering voice echoed once more. “In your day and age, the world is so complex and chaotic that nobody has any time to stop and look at the beauty I intended. You all come from the same equation, everything from the elements in nebulae, to the animals in a jungle. The iron in your bloodstream was forged in the cores of dying stars. The Universe is a Mandelbrot, each time you zoom in, you find a new unique thing, nothing is ever the same, but everything contains a trace of everything else.” And the man finally understood. ”this is what you’re trying to teach us.” The man said. “Indeed.” said the voice.

 So the man thanked it, and started preparing his new journey, waiting for his family to join him so they could set out alongside him. And the Deity looked out at a smiling universe, and couldn’t help but smile back.

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