All the sequence of events in a universe is simply a sequence of configurations of mass-energy. Now this sequence of configurations-combinations can be anything at all. Aside from having to respect the laws of physics, the sequence of combinations has no meaning at all and no direction. The concept of “progress” and “meaning” that we have is simply something that is superimposed on the combinations from the outset.
Indeed even different laws of physics and any kind of universe, no matter how odd, are all equivalent, possible and valid. King of the universe is QUIRK.
We do follow paths of combinations according to our perception of pain and pleasure, but at a deeper level even these combinations and sequences are simply arbitrary and a pure quirk. Do we progress more if we play cards or perform scientific research ? For given goals, which are arbitrary and based on an increase of pleasure, we superimpose the concept of progress and think we progress with science. But at a deeper level, all the paths are just an arbitrary sequence of combinations, and so playing cards or sleeping or playing any sport or any kind of game-pastime-arbitrary quirk activity are equivalent.
Any sequence of combinations of mass-energy can be possible in the future. If the technological singularity occurs, we may discover the secrets of pain/pleasure generation or emotions and design our minds and experience accordingly. What are the limits ? who knows. The future of civilization may be small balls of neurons and chips executing continuous odd sensations-emotions very far from anything we can imagine. Is this progress ? Well it is equivalent to anything else because the concept of progress is a false concept. There could be multiple civilizations all at a different “stage” of development, some in the dark ages some becoming solid state civilizations where all occurs within a vast neural network of emotion machines, some like 20th century man etc.
The only direction we can follow is the direction of least pain. That is the only item that breaks the “symmetry”. Of course the best actions, events and behaviors to avoid pain are subject to great debates and very different formulas.
If within a technological singularity we learn the exact mechanisms of pain/pleasure/emotions/sentiments etc within modified-engineered minds, then there is no limit to what can be done and to how we can manipulate our minds and sensations. We can have an exponential increase of extreme pleasure to heavenly heights. But then of course we would no longer be human or even of this universe anymore.
From outside, these “balls of pleasure-emotions” are arbitrary and meaningless, just like the laws of physics and any possible universe. There is indeed no meaning. But those who believe in God and the bible think that this is all insane and that we must obey the laws of God.
The idea is that you can assign any value at all to any sequence of configurations. So any item or invention or even modern art form can mean anything, can have any value, even infinite, can denote anything at all.
So the future could even be the creation of ever increasing elaborate car interiors for example, just for the fun of it. Or it can be accelerators that smash car engines instead of particles just to analyze all the different ways they can smash. And maybe create a scientific or even better a PHILOSOPHICAL THEORY around such activities. The activities humans do if any at all can be anything at all, a bit like the formula one car racing sport. Just invent ever odder activities and “SCIENCES” when in reality there is no such thing as “progress”. Who would have imagined that people would have bought a billion cell phones if you told them that in 1970 ? A telephone ? that is the future ?
No, there is no direction, only change, quirks, random combinations and activities that at any deeper level will never mean anything at all. Then again even “meaning” is a false concept.