Interestingly, because of this recent turn in events, I think I can say that I don't see this to be a slightly malevolent universe, or a slightly benevolent one. To me, it is a universe unaware. When we speak of this ‘universe’, we are really talking about a ‘social universe’, and to me, that means we are talking about building something that is socially rewarded. As Venkat suggests, I agree that we can only engineer so much. But I don’t think that time is wholly spent in each gamble. I believe it is spent in part. Have you heard of Livermore’s centennial light (http://www.centennialbulb.org/)? A lightbulb achieves social value by simply not burning out. Of course, not all time-gambles pay out. However, each time-gamble adds to the chances of payout, however small it might be. -The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time to plant a tree is now.