THE MAJOR SPOILER: the whole Ina-&-Rafi-in-Makatea narrative was generated by some powerful AI engine at Todd's request. Rafi actually became a librarian in Champaign-Urbana and died a few years ago. Evie Beaulieu, who had inexplicably and somewhat implausibly also shown up on Makatea, also died some while ago. Todd is not on his way to Makatea in some luxury yacht to launch a sea-steading operation.
Nope, the whole thing comes down to dying Todd's wish for a final reconciliation with the already dead Rafi and tech titan Todd's access to unimaginably powerful AI, which he has asked to generate a convincing happy ending for him. Which the AI does, and that is what we read in the final pages. Not only are the three college friends reunited, but Todd's immense fortune will be put towards the restoration of the oceans. Everything is going to turn around!
I've been wondering what to make of this ending since I finished the book. On the one hand, it's a doozy of a happy ending, full of love and hope. It feels lovely. On the other hand, you know it's a computer-generated illusion. It didn't happen. Perhaps it could never have happened. It's a striking example of our ability to delude ourselves. The oceans are doomed.
The finale of the novel is thus radiantly optimistic and forbiddingly dark at the same time.
Richard Powers, why dost thou f*ck so with our heads?
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