In Haruki Murakami's "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World," the concept of immortality is explored through the lens of human thought. While humans are not physically immortal, their ideas, memories, and influence can persist indefinitely. This suggests that our essence can transcend temporal limitations, creating a sense of eternal life through our mental and emotional contributions to the world.

The quote emphasizes that, although individuals may face mortality, their thoughts and impact can endure infinitely. This notion of being "asymptotically close to immortal" captures the idea that through the legacy we leave behind, whether in literature, ideas, or relationships, we can achieve a form of lasting existence that echoes through time.