  On a scientific meta-level, it is discussed how an overall understanding of
the physical universe can be built on the basis of well-proven theories and
recent experiments and observations. In the light of almost a century of
struggle to make (common) sense of Quantum Mechanics and to reconcile it with
General Relativity, it is proposed to (for some time) forget about quantizing
gravity or striving for one Theory of Everything or 'Weltformel', which would
describe the whole of reality seamlessly without any joints or suture marks.
Instead of one single monolithic formalism, a three-legged compound approach is
argued for. Quantum Mechanics, Relativity and Thermodynamics are proposed as
the main pillars of reality, each with its well-defined realm, specific
features, and clearly marked interfaces between the three of them. Not only
classical reality, which is rather directly accessible to us, is then
comprehensively modelled by their encompassing combination. Quantum phenomena
are understood as undoubtedly lying at the bottom of classical physics and at
the same time, they become 'fully real' only when embedded in classical frames
between preparation and measurement in time. It is then where thermodynamics
steps in and provides the mediating glue as it does at interfaces towards
gravity. The aim of this short contribution is not to deliver novel
quantitative results but rather to propose a comprehensive research program and
to coarsely lay out a very roughly coherent self-referential sketch starting
from the beginning of the one universe, which we inhabit.
