IndiWeb Carnival: August 2026 - Purpose

A bit of background in case you’re wondering IndiWeb Carnival. The month’s (August 2026) topic is “purpose” and is hosted by Chris Shaw at uncountable thoughts. Purpose A single word that evokes many different interpretations. It can apply to yourself, an organisation, club, community or even humanity itself. Is it fixed for all time, or does it change and adapt to the surrounding environment? Is it important for others to know the purpose, or can it just be shared among the people with a direct stake or influence on it? Why even have a purpose defined at all? Would anything be different if it wasn’t? Do wildlife have a purpose, beyond the biological processes that drive particular behaviours in each moment? Or, is it a uniquely human construct to separate us from other life on earth? My immediate thought was about meaning and then wondering why that came to mind. Shared characteristics maybe? Intrinsic or extrinsic: does purpose originate within or arrive from outside; does meaning…