why do we exist?

.
Why do we exist? The question takes on a different ferocity in different hearts. But at some point, I imagine, everyone asks in one way or another -- what's the point? Where is the meaning? An illness strikes, a death occurs, the world is going to hell in a hand basket, and the car just got a flat... and, well, what's the importance and why-oh-why?

Naturally, the question keeps philosophers and other prognosticators in business ... and perhaps that is the only true meaning ... to keep philosophers and prognosticators in business.

My question is: If you knew the answer, what, precisely, would you know and what good would it do you? Would illness strike less often; would death cease to occur; would the world stop going to hell in a hand basket; would cars no longer get flats?

Would the peace of mind you acquired on account of the answer be any less tentative than the peace of mind you have right now? Would anyone be any more or less certain or uncertain?

It's interesting -- Canada geese fly south in the fall and north in the spring. If it means something, I'm pretty sure the geese don't know or even care. I wonder if all their honking is just their way of laughing at the mortals below who are squirming to find the meaning of their existence.
.