For me, I don’t consider the artist’s intent when interpreting or enjoying the art. Once created, it is always up for interpretation by the audience.

But if you look at that interview, he talks about how the reconstructions (or reconstituted primals, etc.) are a piece of the original - but not a perfect recreation. In order for there to be a piece of the original, the original must be persistent (even if only a small part of it is accessible).

There’s an NPC spirit in shadowbringers whose very much who he was when alive. (But I’m not very far in, so take that with a grain of salt).

Anyway, it just seems to me there’s more to it than “the lifestream eats you.” A lot more. But I’m comfortable with that being up to the player.