The Universe Seems No More Meaningful to me if We Survive Death

I think you're talking about the hedonistic treadmill problem.

Maybe the hedonistic treadmill problem on infinite steroids!

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. Regarding the gift of "new eyes" or the "life review", are these things finite? If so, what is the functional difference if I get to experience them, but then cease to exist? I suppose that would possibly add some value to my finite life experience in a similar way that living 100 years might compared to living 10 years, but that's not definitely going to add more meaning...And if they are part of some infinite experience instead, where is the meaning in that? If my experience is infinite, it would seem to lack anything resembling meaning, at least to me. How is anything evaluated in an infinite experience? That's my core question. I haven't thought much about this type of thing before, so perhaps my questions are easily answered, but I can't understand how an infinite experience of anything could have any meaning woven into it whatsoever. In contrast, I find there to be plenty of meaning woven into this finite experience I know we all get. 

And just to add, I think it's quite possible that consciousness does survive death. I just don't see how it necessarily adds a bunch of meaning, or how it is meaningless if consciousness doesn't survive death.

A finite existence seems to force one to take ownership of one's behavior, and to find meaning in the here and now. An infinite existence feels like a long series of do-overs, so responsibility may be put off forever.

It never ceases to amaze me how two people, when faced with the same possibility (finite or infinite existence), can come to pretty much opposite conclusions about what it entails. 

I don't know what all these supposedly infinite consciousnesses are doing, but it would be nice to see some actual progress with respect to enlightenment out of it.

Linda

So this life is more meaningful because it is followed by something we don’t understand, and can’t possibly comprehend.

How does that help?

We need nbtruthman to rate this idea for fruitfulness.

He pleads so much in the evolution thread; yet is uncharacteristically quiet on this thread.
Ethical skeptic is a rather interesting person.

A finite existence seems to force one to take ownership of one's behavior, and to find meaning in the here and now. An infinite existence feels like a long series of do-overs, so responsibility may be put off forever.

It never ceases to amaze me how two people, when faced with the same possibility (finite or infinite existence), can come to pretty much opposite conclusions about what it entails. 

I don't know what all these supposedly infinite consciousnesses are doing, but it would be nice to see some actual progress with respect to enlightenment out of it.

Linda 

I doubt there are do overs. I have my doubts too infinity of any ilk is the remedy for enlightenment. One thing that I can say with some confidence is all those infinite consciousnesses are making little effort to make contact to assure us infinite consciousness... is all some think it's cracked up to be.

A finite existence seems to force one to take ownership of one's behavior,

(Linda has me on ignore but this is the same position as Paul and Malf)

Take ownership of one's behaviour ? For what reason ? Who cares ? To what end result other than oblivion ? With the possible exception of great statesmen, no one's going to remember that you took responsibility for your behaviour in 100 years or so. In two hundred years, they won't even remember you.
   

and to find meaning in the here and now.

To be able to contemplate (unlike most other animals) the beauty and mystery of existence; the loving relationships that you've forged with your family and friends.... and then all of a sudden it's all squashed flat by the big Monty Python foot.  

An infinite existence feels like a long series of do-overs, so responsibility may be put off forever.

One wonders how Linda would know this, of course.  In fact, the many lives, many experiences, many lessons model makes perfect sense. Presumably, we all get a turn at doing and being everyone (the good, the bad and the ugly)…taking as long as we want or need to do it, so that ultimately we will all have experienced everything and thereby come to a full understanding. What better way is there to create the ultimate being(s) ?

One thing that I can say with some confidence is all those infinite consciousnesses are making little effort to make contact to assure us infinite consciousness

Wouldn't it help if you actually read the relevant research ?

I agree with the OP that survival does not immediately suggest a meaning to existence. I also find the concept of infinity nearly as terrifying as oblivion. But this is one of those issues where it's ridiculously easy to give the options a cartoonish cast to fit your own opinion.

"A finite existence forces you to use every minute you have and create meaning while you're here. An infinite existence leads to stagnation and the loss of any value on time."

"An infinite existence lets at least certain things have permanence and gives endless opportunity for endless possibilities. In a finite existence, it might as well be as if nothing ever existed."

See? In both scenarios, the choice is stark, and the arguments in favor of one and against the other tend towards either dogmatic or the ridiculous. To use the latest example from this thread - asking why a higher or infinite consciousness doesn't make itself known doesn't make any more sense to me than asking why the Higgs boson requires a particle accelerator to be detected.

He pleads so much in the evolution thread; yet is uncharacteristically quiet on this thread.

You've goaded this individual, here and in at least one other thread. It's their own choice whether to participate in this one, and the goading derails the topics and can amount to little more than bullying.

I agree with the OP that survival does not immediately suggest a meaning to existence. I also find the concept of infinity nearly as terrifying as oblivion. But this is one of those issues where it's ridiculously easy to give the options a cartoonish cast to fit your own opinion.

"A finite existence forces you to use every minute you have and create meaning while you're here. An infinite existence leads to stagnation and the loss of any value on time."

"An infinite existence lets at least certain things have permanence and gives endless opportunity for endless possibilities. In a finite existence, it might as well be as if nothing ever existed."

See? In both scenarios, the choice is stark, and the arguments in favor of one and against the other tend towards either dogmatic or the ridiculous. To use the latest example from this thread - asking why a higher or infinite consciousness doesn't make itself known doesn't make any more sense to me than asking why the Higgs boson requires a particle accelerator to be detected.

The question wasn't about "which is better" it was about whether or not there's even a difference between them. The OP made that quite clear. I for one think there's zero difference and gave a very thoughough and specific breakdown of the argument as I've seen it which everyone appears to have ignored or not seen. I have many more reasons than just that as well, but I'm spending my time sparingly in this thread. My effort is better spent on things that can actually get results.