The narrative is a monologue from an unnamed character who has lived an incredibly long life, experiencing numerous professions and changes in human society. He was born in 2000 and has lived through the rise and fall of civilizations, the development of technology, and the eventual end of the universe.
The character's life spans several eras, from the early 21st century to the distant future. He recounts his experiences as a doctor, rugby player, Martian virologist, British biologist, and more. He also details his immortality, which he attributes to his soul, and his ability to regenerate after each death.
The narrative also delves into the history of humanity, detailing the rise and fall of civilizations, the development of technology, and the eventual end of the universe. The character describes the "Great Machine Occupation" and "Great Revolt", the "Great Divide", "Great Awakening", and "Great Peace". He also discusses the "Second Renaissance", the "Machine Wars", and the "Underworld".
The character's life is marked by numerous catastrophes, including the reversal of Earth's magnetic poles, a super-volcanic eruption, and the impact of a large asteroid. He also recounts the loss of most lifeforms, leaving him as the last conscious entity in the universe.
The narrative concludes with the character observing the universe's cycle of creation and destruction, and the eventual recurrence of the Big Bang. He expresses a sense of peace and anticipation for the next generation of humans, urging them to be kind to each other and to appreciate the preciousness of life.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator was born on January 1st, 2000.
2. The narrator's parents are unknown, as they were found by three hikers on a hilltop wrapped in a fur blanket.
3. The narrator stopped aging around 35-40 years old.
4. People began to notice the narrator's unusual youthful appearance when they reached 45-55 years old.
5. The narrator left their country to avoid becoming a scientific research project.
6. The narrator had many jobs and careers, including doctor, rugby player, Martian virologist, and fairground puppeteer.
7. The narrator had a lot of money when money was still used.
8. The narrator's wife died at the age of 146 by falling off a cliff.
9. The narrator attended their wife's funeral, where they met a man who offered condolences.
10. The narrator's body would regenerate after death, and they would wake up in a new body.
11. The narrator was able to keep their identity hidden for a long time.
12. The narrator was part of a foster family during their childhood.
13. The narrator traveled the world at the age of 18.
14. The narrator fell into an industrial meat grinder at one point, but survived.
15. The narrator had a robot dog that doubled as a lawn-mower and leaf-blower.
16. The narrator was part of a community that lived underground during a period of catastrophic events.
17. The narrator witnessed the reversal of the Earth's magnetic poles, which caused a significant increase in cosmic rays.
18. The narrator saw the effects of a super-volcanic eruption, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
19. The narrator lived through a period of global warming, which caused sea levels to rise and coastal cities to disappear.
20. The narrator saw the population of humans decline significantly due to various catastrophic events.
21. The narrator witnessed the extinction of the Martian colony due to the heating up of the sun.
22. The narrator saw the final blow to human civilization, which came in the form of an asteroid impact.
23. The narrator was the last human survivor and lived for millions of years, witnessing the decline of the universe.
24. The narrator's physical body eventually disappeared due to the heat, but their mind continued to exist.
25. The narrator became a mere consciousness in the universe, witnessing the unravelling of the cosmos.
26. The narrator saw the universe enter the "Dark Era," where all matter and energy had been consumed.
27. The narrator witnessed the birth of a new universe, which began with the formation of subatomic particles.
28. The narrator is now watching the new universe unfold and is at peace.