Anon on Nostr: Does Nihilism always have to be so absolute, and so utterly depressing though? In ...
Does Nihilism always have to be so absolute, and so utterly depressing though? In other words, do you think there could be such thing as an optimal amount of nihilism, or even perhaps a happy nihilist? Or is that a contradiction in terms?
That’s not meant to be a rhetorical question. I’m just curious on your thoughts because I kind of see myself as a happy nihilist… or maybe a content nihilist is a better descriptor.
Like imagine, for instance, you’re on a sinking ship. There’s no hope. It’s going down. The other passengers aren’t aware yet, and are completely uninterested in any of your warnings.
But you… You’ve done what you can to prepare. You’ve paid off the bosun to get a seat on a lifeboat (there’s very limited space). But there’s no sense boarding the lifeboat just yet. After all, help from a neighboring ship won’t arrive for five hours, and your ship is sinking rather slowly so mass panic hasn’t set in just yet.
In fact, there’s a Wayne Newton concert going on a couple of decks down and free drinks are being served. Wayne Newton is pretty cool and free drinks are even better. Is it wrong to spend a few hours listening to the concert and enjoying the drinks? Why not enjoy the concert and drinks for a bit, prior to making your way to the lifeboat?
Isn’t that a better use of time, rather than say, trying to warn others of the impending danger, offering them swim classes, etc. given that they’ll not only ridicule you, but continue engaging in activities that’ll make the boat sink even faster? I dunno. I think my hypothetical “happy nihilist” would enjoy the time he has left on the ship, despite the inevitability of it’s demise, then leisurely board the life boat with a few likeminded individuals, and hope for the best.
I guess I think that one can be a nihilist, accepting that his country is irreparably damaged, but still find contentment in the preparation process and in life’s small pleasures until judgement day arrives.
That’s not meant to be a rhetorical question. I’m just curious on your thoughts because I kind of see myself as a happy nihilist… or maybe a content nihilist is a better descriptor.
Like imagine, for instance, you’re on a sinking ship. There’s no hope. It’s going down. The other passengers aren’t aware yet, and are completely uninterested in any of your warnings.
But you… You’ve done what you can to prepare. You’ve paid off the bosun to get a seat on a lifeboat (there’s very limited space). But there’s no sense boarding the lifeboat just yet. After all, help from a neighboring ship won’t arrive for five hours, and your ship is sinking rather slowly so mass panic hasn’t set in just yet.
In fact, there’s a Wayne Newton concert going on a couple of decks down and free drinks are being served. Wayne Newton is pretty cool and free drinks are even better. Is it wrong to spend a few hours listening to the concert and enjoying the drinks? Why not enjoy the concert and drinks for a bit, prior to making your way to the lifeboat?
Isn’t that a better use of time, rather than say, trying to warn others of the impending danger, offering them swim classes, etc. given that they’ll not only ridicule you, but continue engaging in activities that’ll make the boat sink even faster? I dunno. I think my hypothetical “happy nihilist” would enjoy the time he has left on the ship, despite the inevitability of it’s demise, then leisurely board the life boat with a few likeminded individuals, and hope for the best.
I guess I think that one can be a nihilist, accepting that his country is irreparably damaged, but still find contentment in the preparation process and in life’s small pleasures until judgement day arrives.