If you mean “existential” as in existentialism, then no. I don’t see many quotes from Dostoevsky, Sartre and the like, not even Herzog. This is marigolds and

If you mean “existential” as in existentialism, then no. I don’t see many quotes from Dostoevsky, Sartre and the like, not even Herzog. This is marigolds and sunshine compared to the 1950s, when it was a fashion statement to be morose and despairing until it was globally discovered that angst was unsexy and boring. If you mean midlife crisis sorts of things, then part of it is probably you and part age demographics, in that it is something that folks in their mid thirties tend to slide down into for a time. HN may be underrepresented in the enthusiastic youth and mellowed oldster demographics that provide more of a balanced perspective. There is certainly enough wisdom literature to read for the mellow perspective. Babysitting kids can cover the youth end. The Whole Earth platform The WELL was (is?) pretty good at that better balance in days past. Tech forums like HN tend to be more resonant cavity or optical resonator than echo chamber, and that is one of their unique value-adds…it can be sparkly in certain good ways. Tech forums aren’t really designed for echo chamber stuff, which makes the occasional attempts at astroturfing, influencing and the like that occasionally slip through the cracks risible and ineffective…another value-add. Or maybe you just need more fiber in more diet.