In this chapter, the narrator recounts a pivotal meeting with Juan Carlos López at NASA's Arlington campus, where they discuss the ambitious "500-Year Project" aimed at preserving sentient life and systemic viability on Earth. López, a prominent figure in STEM outreach and space market partnerships, initiates the conversation after researching the narrator's work, including their speculative novel "Sex in Space" and a groundbreaking white paper from 20 years prior. The discussion delves into the challenges of securing funding and governance for a foundation that could endure for centuries, with López revealing that 12 billionaires have pledged $87 billion to the cause. The narrator emphasizes the importance of political neutrality, merit-based leadership, and AI-guided governance for the foundation's success. Despite the narrator's advanced age and reluctance to lead the charge, the meeting sparks hope for collaboration and legacy-building among influential figures. This chapter highlights the intersection of visionary ideas, scientific innovation, and the urgency of global preservation efforts.
