>> I disagree that there can't be a rationally derived objective utility function (purpose of life) that we can assign to ourselves.

Ah, I love HN for these types of comments - I’m not even being facetious here.

The author casually dismisses the idea that you make/find your own meaning, then spends the rest of the article doing exactly that.

He’s trying to find an explanation for the general case, yet in the end it will be his own personal opinion explanation. Interesting article, nonetheless.