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Legacy for Future Eyes E2

Students writing in classroom

EPISODE 2 – ASPIRATIONS

A student adapts to the demands of higher education while endeavoring to provide hope through the ages, reaching pioneers of future generations.

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My First Words

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The hustle and bustle of new instructors, each piling onto my workload, makes me thankful for Professor Ulrich’s minimum word count requirement. He implied that more accomplishments generate more words. But I hope that he will appreciate brevity because this is only about a hundred words:

“We haven’t met, but you know of me. I’m responsible for one of the first things you reach for when you awaken each day. When there are other priorities, you won’t sleep before interacting with what I brought forth as part of a team. Despite your frequent interaction, I apologize. Before my invention, there were far more important things to occupy your time.

“My education taught me to analyze trends and capitalize on vulnerabilities. This brought my colleagues and me much wealth at your expense. So the next time you reach for my product, consider using your time to do something more productive.”

That’s all the time I had with my load of homework. The next day, I submit my letter and adjust to a heavy workload. When the grades for my paper come back, I’m mortified with a C-.

As he continues handing out graded papers while walking through the classroom, he admits: “No one gets an A on their first assignment. It’s meant to establish a baseline. I will pose the same question near the end of the semester for comparison of progress.”

It’s a relief to learn that putting more time into writing wouldn't have garnered a much better grade. It's also comforting to know that I have several months to give my future goals more thought.

An Earnest Plea

A semester of literary odyssey courses through my veins like cosmic energy, connecting me with the literary greats who once graced this earth. It’s once again time to pen a poignant thought for future consciences. I present this letter to the generation a hundred years into the future in the form of a three-dimensional AI-powered digital human as follows:

To the Pioneers of Tomorrow,

“Greetings from the past, from an era that may seem like a forgotten constellation in the boundless expanse of time. As I pen these words, I envision the marvels of science and technology that surround you, a celestial symphony of progress and wonder. Your generation, like a cosmic whirlwind, possesses an eternity of potential, your dreams stretching to the farthest reaches of the universe.

“On the shoulders of dreamers, innovators, and visionaries, you now stand, custodians of an Earth once teeming with life, love, and mysteries. The passage of centuries bestows upon you a timeless inheritance, a legacy that we, the past, entrust to your care. Will you guard the splendor of our home or venture beyond the cosmic veil?

“As I contemplate the legacy we leave behind for you, I can’t help but wonder how the earth fares under your stewardship. Are you safeguarding its beauty, or are you exploring far beyond the confines of our home planet? Do you cherish the gifts of nature, or are new technologies creating an even more sustainable and harmonious world?

“The passing of generations is a relay race, where each generation carries the baton and strives to leave a better world for the next. I hope we haven’t faltered in our responsibility as custodians of the earth. Your generation, like ours, must be vigilant, for the choices you make today will reverberate through time, influencing the well-being of those who will follow you.

“When you ponder the value of your life, I encourage you to look beyond the material wealth and embrace the intangible treasures that truly define a person’s worth. Money can be fleeting, but the impact you leave on the hearts and minds of others, the ideas you nurture, and the kindness you spread are the enduring legacies that shape generations.

“I aspire to be remembered not just for my achievements, but for the lives I touched and the positive changes I sparked. Whether it’s through art, science, or simple acts of kindness, each one of us has the power to make a difference.

“I trust that your world is a place of unity, where diversity is celebrated, and empathy is the guiding force. Let your collective endeavors be aimed at unraveling the mysteries of the universe, eradicating suffering, and promoting a sustainable existence for all beings.

“As you read this letter in the splendor of your future furnishings, remember that the past holds the seeds of your present reality. Embrace your history with gratitude, learn from its triumphs and tribulations, and build upon it to create a world that surpasses even our wildest imaginings.

“So, dear pioneers, as you traverse the ever-shifting sands of time, embrace the legacy of those who preceded you, and nurture the garden of life with reverence. In the cosmic ballet of existence, dance with abandon, for the future awaits your every step.

“With hope and admiration from the past.”

—Aiden

The End

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