User blog comment:Dragon-Fox 7/Character Sheet/@comment-24696772-20190329221027/@comment-4867780-20190524140216

The life-size exploration of "What If" scenarios is certainly a thrilling idea, as proven by the great popularity of time travel and alternate realities. Being able to choose what changes and in which ways would multiply the possibilities exponentially, and exploring them may very well be the form interesting form of practical science.

Creating replica of universes as eternal legacies so they and their inhabitants are never forgotten, which is perceived as worse than death ? Maybe that explains their difference of perspectives. Since Lawrence's memories are entirely made of 100% accurate empirical data, that he cannot forget anything and any memorized data can be freely materialized, that means nothing is ever lost and the past can be shifted back into the present with a mere thought. In this context, it makes sense not to feel the need for legacy universes.

John's perspective is a lot more moving and relatable though, approching and resolving problems a deeply human way, while Lawrence is more of a machine god in human form, seeing and solving them in a pragmatic and dispassionate way. It's interesting to notice how differently transcendence affected their personality. John's transcendence didn't deteriorate his humanity but instead reinforced it in all the noblesse ways (fitting the ultihuman theme quite well), while Lawrence's transcendence seems to have balanced his humanity with a non-human side, removing its flaws instead of strengthening its qualities.

A bit of a stretch into psychological territory, but a fascinating subject in its own right ^ ^

You're quite welcome :)