4 ms·
I think you are over-reading it. The nihilistic mindset is not necessarily defeatism, it's just accepting that it does not matter in the universe-wide grand sch
by tuyiown 3y ago
I think you are over-reading it. The nihilistic mindset is not necessarily defeatism, it's just accepting that it does not matter in the universe-wide grand scheme of things.
I personally think that it's the most pragmatic view, if not the most rationale: with such an approach, only actions that are truly achievable retains attentions, if we try something, let's do the things that matters in the long run instead of trying literals shot in the stars.
Also, given the systematic and very damaging polarisation of all debates, I like being able to distance myself: it does not matter in the long run, so if the toxics annihilation has to happen, I won't be part of it, and it's probably the best I can actually do.
- safety1st 3y agoNihilism is a nuanced concept that many great thinkers have grappled with but "web forum nihilism" isn't. Internet nihilism usually just reads like someone who is suffering from some sort of depressive or anxiety disorder and expressing their symptoms, like catastrophization, over the 'net. What I submit is that we are living in a society with a record level of depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses (the US for example is prescribing record levels of antidepressants). This record level of mental illness is simply spilling over onto the Internet. Why so many people in our society are ill is left as an exercise for the reader.
- bornfreddy 3y ago> (the US for example is prescribing record levels of antidepressants) I would argue that this is mostly very (too) efficient marketing and sales though, cynical as it sounds.
- tuyiown 3y agoI would attribute depression and surge of mental illness to the fact that there is actually much less to be optimistic for in our times than not so long abo, instead of ideals or ideologies. Let's be pragmatic about it.