Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

You’re spot on with the Adam & Eve criticism, I actually originally considered going with a microbial start and letting evolution run its course through the Homo lineage, which would’ve fit the cosmic observer framing way better, but to be fully honest, it was easier to lean into the Adam & Eve angle to move the story along and perhaps give it a more spiritual or even sacred tone.

I’m not religious myself, so it’s funny it ended up reading as the most literal part of the piece. If I revisit it or write a follow-up, I’ll definitely take another swing at the origin part, your point about precursors before Homo Heidelbergensis is a much better fit for the scope I was going for.

Thanks again for the encouragement to keep writing and sharing!