Existentialism

Existentialism examines individual meaning and purpose amid advanced technology and social evolution.

Existentialism addresses the psychological and philosophical challenges that arise when humanity transcends Earthly life to settle among the stars. Colonists live in a world where technology has largely mitigated the threats of survival, giving rise to a new struggle: the search for personal significance in a future that feels increasingly artificial. As technology becomes an inextricable part of daily life, digital realities and AI-driven automation raise questions about the nature of reality, purpose, and what it means to be “human” in an engineered environment.

In the colonies, immersive virtual worlds and memory backups allow people to alter or escape their pasts, creating a fluid sense of identity that often leads to confusion and detachment. As AI takes over labor and decision-making, many colonists find themselves feeling obsolete, questioning their relevance and value in a society where machines can outthink and outperform humans. Meanwhile, artificial habitats and engineered environments contribute to a sense of alienation from Earth’s natural cycles, leaving colonists disconnected from the organic world that once grounded human experience.

This pervasive sense of existential uncertainty invites players to explore deep questions of identity and belonging. Through interactions with digital personas, altered memories, and synthetic environments, characters are challenged to redefine their own meaning and purpose. Stela Mondo offers hosts a foundation for narratives that examine the human psyche in a high-tech society, allowing players to confront what remains real and meaningful when survival alone is no longer enough to give life purpose.

HUMAN NATURE: Despite futuristic ideals, humanity’s biases and dark tendencies persist, undermining progress. Colonies might struggle with corruption or propaganda, as leaders use technology to manipulate populations. This can lead to disillusionment, as colonists question the integrity of their leaders, and could inspire resistance movements advocating for transparency and accountability.

EXISTENTIAL STAGNATION AND ADAPTATION: As life in colonies becomes more stable, many lose their drive, lacking the challenges of survival. The resulting societal apathy may lead to cultural stagnation or inspire extreme sports and dangerous explorations to “feel alive” again. Colonies might also establish new cultural institutions focused on art, philosophy, or introspection to give purpose to an otherwise routine existence.

DIGITAL AND AUGMENTED REALITIES: The allure of virtual worlds may lead colonists to spend more time in artificial realities, blurring lines between the real and digital. People might neglect physical relationships, work, or even health, opting instead for virtual fame or identity. This can lead to a society that prioritizes digital achievement over tangible contributions, leaving some to question the “real” value of virtual accomplishments.

MEMORY BACKUP AND PERSONAL IDENTITY: Memory technology allows colonists to preserve or erase specific experiences, but this challenges personal continuity. Colonists who undergo extensive memory backups might start to feel fragmented, unsure if they are the “original” self. This could lead to new psychological conditions or social norms around memory preservation, perhaps even an identity market for altered memories.

HUMAN OBSOLESCENCE AND PURPOSE: With AI and robotics taking over labor, many colonists may feel purposeless, questioning their place in society. Some may channel their frustration into creative or philosophical pursuits, while others might resent AI’s encroachment, joining anti-automation movements. The result could be a cultural divide where some reject AI altogether, creating a “low-tech” counter-culture within the colony.

ISOLATION IN ENGINEERED ENVIRONMENTS: Colonists living in habitats with artificial ecosystems may feel psychologically disconnected from nature. They may create Earth-like simulacra or struggle with depression due to a lack of organic environments. This could lead to psychological disorders or a push for bioengineered “nature” zones that replicate Earth’s ecosystems.

ALIENATION FROM NATURAL LIFE: Technological advancements make traditional human experiences—like unfiltered sunlight or natural landscapes—rare. Colonists may feel detached from their ancestral way of life, leading to nostalgia for Earth’s natural world and fueling a desire to preserve even small traces of natural existence.

ENVIRONMENTAL DISCONNECT: As engineered environments replace natural cycles, some colonists might react by rejecting technology in favor of minimalism, forming eco-spiritualist groups. This disconnect could also lead to feelings of confinement or a desire to recreate Earth-like biomes within the colonies, sparking ideological divides over the need for “natural” versus synthetic environments.

THE BURDEN OF KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge about potential ecological or technological dangers can weigh heavily on colony leaders and scientists. Colonies might impose information restrictions, fearing widespread panic, which in turn creates an underground information network or whistleblower culture, challenging authority.