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> when you see a likely worsening climate, rampant inequality for really no good reason What are you, as an individual able to do about any of that? Think abo

> when you see a likely worsening climate, rampant inequality for really no good reason What are you, as an individual able to do about any of that? Think about it the other way, if you wanted to make it worse could you meaningfully? Could you make the seas rise by even a single millimeter? Probably not. Now say you wanted to make it better, a single private jet trip for a CEO to visit his mistress will wipe out any gains you have made. What does your worrying do? Great you aren't "willfully ignorant" but since your ideal future requires a miracle anyway, and you aren't God, it's out of your hands. You are probably like almost every other person who has ever lived, you don't matter at all. Nothing you do will meaningfully echo throughout history. Once you are gone, nobody will ever say your name again. What's true about you is probably also true about the human race. The sun will consume the earth eventually, we will either leave this rock, or die on it. Why not enjoy your brief time here?

ziddoap 4y ago
Not everyone finds comfort in nihilism; it can be pretty off-putting to read something like "you don't matter at all, and will be quickly forgotten" and than be told "so, enjoy!".
- willcipriano 4y ago
  Is it nihilism? A plage could evolve and wipe out the human race at any time, a asteroid could end all life here in a instant. Most people are engaging in "nihilism" on those topics, and many others, but if they instead made the choice to dwell on them it wouldn't make them any less likely. I suggest simply you engage in "nihilism" on a few more things you have no control over.
  - ziddoap 4y ago
    >Is it nihilism? Yes. >You are probably like almost every other person who has ever lived, you don't matter at all. Nothing you do will meaningfully echo throughout history. That sentence is basically the definition of nihilism. I don't see any possible interpretation of it which isn't categorically nihilistic. >I suggest simply you engage in "nihilism" on a few more things you have no control over. I get what you are saying, and broadly agree with it, but that wasn't the point of my comment. I wasn't commenting on whether or not your take on the subject is helpful or not, just that the delivery of "you don't matter [...] enjoy it" is off-putting to the many people who don't take such a nihilistic viewpoint, and probably does no favors in convincing them such a view would be beneficial.

ziddoap 4y ago

Not everyone finds comfort in nihilism; it can be pretty off-putting to read something like "you don't matter at all, and will be quickly forgotten" and than be told "so, enjoy!".

willcipriano 4y ago
Is it nihilism? A plage could evolve and wipe out the human race at any time, a asteroid could end all life here in a instant. Most people are engaging in "nihilism" on those topics, and many others, but if they instead made the choice to dwell on them it wouldn't make them any less likely. I suggest simply you engage in "nihilism" on a few more things you have no control over.
- ziddoap 4y ago
  >Is it nihilism? Yes. >You are probably like almost every other person who has ever lived, you don't matter at all. Nothing you do will meaningfully echo throughout history. That sentence is basically the definition of nihilism. I don't see any possible interpretation of it which isn't categorically nihilistic. >I suggest simply you engage in "nihilism" on a few more things you have no control over. I get what you are saying, and broadly agree with it, but that wasn't the point of my comment. I wasn't commenting on whether or not your take on the subject is helpful or not, just that the delivery of "you don't matter [...] enjoy it" is off-putting to the many people who don't take such a nihilistic viewpoint, and probably does no favors in convincing them such a view would be beneficial.