No doubt, the overall state of affairs within human society, but also beyond, is one big cosmic joke. Plenty of reasons to laugh hysterically, if only there were fewer idiocies (e.g. doing some things I like, while not harmful to anyone, could land me a hefty prison sentence, etc.) Thus my inclination to tear the BS down if possible. On the other hand, certainly not at all costs.

As for technology, I very much like the epilogue scene from Cloud Atlas. That should explain where I stand in this regard.

However, to get there there's no way to bypass the "Eastern enlightenment" which, AFAICT, is far from "escape into nonbeing". Quite to the contrary. It's deep dive into existence. And it happens only after one strips all meanings and ideas attached to phenomena. To use your words but in different order — it's an escape from personal rebirth toward one's immortality. Though on the other hand, it's merely realization of things as they truly are ;)