Positive? This is not a psychological or emotional decision; I have, and have had as long as I can remember, a very precise idea of how the universe works. I believe, rightly or wrongly, that we can effect the external universe in only one way, by physically interacting with it, by either using our hands, or indirectly, our tools, or by talking to others so they can use their hands and tools. Likewise, we only gather information about the universe by using our senses and our extensions of them, or talking to others who have used their senses.

In other words, what you see is what you get, there are no mysterious forces or mystical influences or actions-at-a-distance, or ectoplasmic manipulations. Any challenge to this hypothesis assumes that there is something magical or mystical about humans, that we are somehow special. We are not. If science has taught us anything, it is that we are made up of the same matter, and are powered by the same energy, as the rest of the universe. We are part of it, not separate from it. For me, any other conclusion is arrogance and conceit and driven by the fear of death and the reluctance to face our own insignificance.

No, I don't believe I know it all. I'm not even sure if anybody will ever know it all. What I do have faith in though is that the universe can get along fine without us. We should live here and enjoy it and quit thinking it was created for our benefit.