The Likelihood of Everything: How Grannies Change History

The other day I had an interesting conversation with my sister. She told me that our grandmother wanted to marry another guy, not the person who turned out to be our grandfather and who she was more or less forced to be the wife of.

This got me thinking quite a bit. So, if she hadn’t married our grandfather, then the particular mix of genes and DNA that made us wouldn’t have been created.

Simply speaking, we wouldn’t exist, my sister and I, my parents, my son. Completely different people would have arisen from that relationship ― if only my grandmother had it her way.

So, what’s the likelihood of everything existing?

The Eternal Emperor’s Last Words

It strikes me that there was such a huge probability for me to not exist. I mean, if I didn’t, I would not have any issues with that (duh!) but it would still be a loss to humanity ― and to the Blowhard Club.

On a more positive note, I’m currently reading a great book by Marcus Aurelius, like, the Roman Emperor guy or something. This superb human being was obsessed with death but I still learned something very valuable that relates to my grandmom’s tragic life story.

The time before we all came to life is billions of years long and the time after we die will be at least as long. So what’s my takeaway from Mr. Roman Emperor? ― Why fret? It sounds consoling if you ask me. But let’s hear it from his own words.

If you’ve seen the present, then you’ve seen everything ― as it’s been since the beginning, as it will be forever. The same substance, the same form. All of it.

The guy who ruled half the known world, Mr. Aurelius

And who am I to dispute His Highness the Emperor?

The Unlikely You and How to Exist

Some scientists estimate the probability of your being born at about one in 400 trillion. If this doesn’t terrify you, take a better look: 400.000.000.000.000. In plain terms, it’s pure chance that you’re even reading this blog, the same as me writing it.

Whenever and wherever you can, take a moment to appreciate it just once a day. Take a few seconds and pose this question to yourself: What is this? This question kind of turned my life upside down and how I see the environment around me. What is this?

In each and every particular situation, you will get a different response from yourself. When you drive a car, go for a run, read a book, write some computer code, watch midget porn… Wait, what?!

Seriously, whatever it is you’re doing, just ask this question and your mind will shift gears. Try it! (15-day money-back guarantee) The possibility that you can even ask yourself anything is truly astounding.

Now some miserable Indian guy working in the sewage system is reading this and saying: “Fuck you, mate, you wouldn’t want to be born if you were me!” And I can’t argue with that.

All I can do is just assume that 400 trillion other events could have occurred, and none of them would have included you. Now pat yourself on the back, leastwise because you made it this far.

Finally, I want you to consider this question: What’s the likelihood of everything around you?

To exist or not to exist, that is not the question ― it’s the answer.

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