Throughout the history of mankind, one constant has been a search for immortality. Most thought that they could find it through religious beliefs and in the idea of an eternal soul that lives on past the death of the body. Millions of individuals have chosen to believe that upon death, our souls either ascend or descend into some other world that we do not understand, to continue the voyage of existence.
But others means at achieving immortality developed in tandem, partially by men who did not believe in an afterlife. Artists, writers, and warriors often felt that the key to achieving immortality was through being remembered by future generations. The Epic of Gilgamesh, for example, posited the idea that Gilgamesh became immortal symbolically through the stories of his deeds and actions. Homer became immortal through his volumes of work, Napoleon became immortal through his failed quest for greatness, and Jimmy Carter gained immortality by becoming history's greatest monster.
As someone who ascribes to the second theory of immortality, I must make it known that I believe that we as a BBS have achieved such immortality. As the years go on, and each of us pass away, this thread will remain as solid as the bedrock upon which we have created human society. This thread will exist until the day the Earth ends, as a reminder of true greatness. Individuals will visit it to pay it homage, to catch a brief glimpse of what life was like during our lifetimes. This thread is a piece of timeless art that will remain popular throughout the ages, for both it's impeccable narrative and study of character, but also as an exploration of that which makes us human.
We will die, but we shall never be forgotten.
"I'll die before I surrender, Tim".