People used to understand what it meant to be 'surviving'

I sat there. I didn't even feel like getting into my bedroom. It had been the weirdest day of my life, a day unlike no other, as if it had been a dream conjured up by a Simulacrum pod that i had somehow had permission to access. I tried to make sense of my great-grandfather's words, along with my mother's

I wonder why grandpa just didn't just reject the offer? Ah, you're telling me there has to be one person 'receiving the blessing' every generation? Makes sense, maybe he didn't want to place the burden upon others. Or maybe... it had been a part of his plan all along? To prove his point? That he'd rather, die, as a human, than giving up his humanity to the universe? But i still don't understand why it worked, why did that make him a 'hero'? Yeah this is some really complex stuff, i'm sorry if you don't understand eitherI'm trying to remember what dad had told me this morning, about what adults usually do for fun. I think he said some adults would spend all day, every day, exploring every part of the universe, and also time-traveling to observe different historical periods. I don't think freedom of exploration is a bad thing? Yeah, maybe they shouldn't do it 'all day everyday' but i still think it's kinda cool. You think that's overstimulation? Oh yeah mom also said something like she was obsessed with chasing one sensation after another. And that great-grandfather couldn't 'live in the moment'. He couldn't handle the boredom of a car ride? The boredom of an ordinary life? Even after attempting to clear his mind through such a prolonged sleep? I think he did try to 'live in the moment'... that's why he only used a normal sleep pod. Wait how many years was he asleep for?

"Can't sleep?"
"Uh, huh, mom? I'm just... talking to my A.I buddy" "What are you doing up so late?"
"Can't let you alone here can i? Is there anything troubling you sweetie?" "Don't worry, we can talk. Your dad is sound asleep, he's completely exhausted from driving all day"
"Don't worry mom, nothing's troubling me. At least nothing in particular" "..." "Do you know how long my great-grandfather was asleep for?"
"I think it was for exactly 100 years"
"Huh!? A whole century? Just to clear out his thoughts?" "B-but didn't dad say he was living with him for a few years?"
"You silly", mom chuckled, "How old did you think your dad and i are?"
"Well, 40-50 something?" "Or maybe 60? Dad did say after grandpa's death it took him a couple of years to get his grip together..."
"More like several decades" "That was how we met actually. Did i ever tell you?"
"I don't think so..."
"Shortly after your grandpa's sacrifice, my parents found out i had been sneaking out getting 'Ascensions' without their approval, but since i was of legal age, they couldn't do anything to me. And i didn't have a reason to stay with them either"
"So... you left your parents?"
"Yeah, i did. But they're still alive and well though! Don't worry" "I left my homeplanet, left my galaxy, ventured deep into space. I started building my own castles on deserted mining dwarf planets across the universe, fabricating the most lavish dresses and tops, and like you already knew, kept on trying out new hairstyles and even new faces every single day"
"I still think... that's kinda cool?"
"Oh, it does sound cool" "But at some point i kind of got bored of that. I got more 'Ascensions', which let me travel into the past and witness remarkable historical events" "Then i realized something, and this is crucial because it's going to show why carelessly taking 'Ascensions' could be extremely dangerous. Are you still with me?"
"Um, i'm listening"
"I didn't see them as humans. Those poverty-stricken people of the past, with their amateur technology and simple way of life, rejoiced at historic inventions such as electricity. Innocent civilian tragically losing their lives in wars. I did feel bad, or glad for them, depending on the situation, but only a minimal amount. I couldn't see them as real. It felt as if they were only a figment of my imagination, that they only existed for my entertainment" "Lucky for me, i was able to snap out of it and got a hold of myself. Many many weren't, and still aren't as lucky"
"I understand, i think. You don't have to worry about me ending up like dad or you. Or my great-grandfather... But speaking of dad. Is this the part where you meet him?"
"Oh, almost. One day i was just spectating random towns and sceneries of the 21st century on Earth, and i noticed someone from our time was also there next to me. He explained after his dad's passing, his mom and him had gone separate ways, and he'd been grieving over the loss of his dad for decades. He picked the 20nd, 21st and 22nd centuries to roam around because in his dad's words, 'those centuries marked the final time when the average person still truly understood what it meant to be 'surviving' " "Those words reminded me of a certain message i'd received in the past. And it turned out the person i was talking to had been the son of that hero all along!"
"Ohhh, so that's how you met dad! Hahaha" "Wait, hero?" That word again "You also think he was a hero?" "I still don't understand... And i also don't get why they had to keep doing that every generation. I mean the 'Final Ascension' thing and linking that person's experience to everyone around"
"They wanted to show the public how serious the implication of the 'Final Ascension' meant. In exchange for 'The Truth', one has to go through an earth-shattering headache, and especially, to lose their ego. And it was pretty effective, most people wouldn't attempt getting it just for giggles. However some were still incredibly interested, it's by law that only a limited number of individuals could achieve the 'Final Ascension', but the others could still get pretty close, driving themselves to insanity and destruction"
"..."
"And your grandpa was declared a hero - at least to some of us - because instead of going through the process, instead of proving to the minority of mankind that despite all the losses, 'The Truth' was worth it; he decided that it wasn't" " 'The Truth' couldn't save your humanity, it wouldn't grant you everything you've ever wanted, not even the illusion of them. It would simply erase your humanity" "I'm sorry if this is too complicated for you sweetie""......""What are you thinking about?""Uh, i'm just- I just think maybe..."


Maybe it was grandpa, who influenced the changes in the school system?