Random Post 1: Optimistic Nihilism

Optimistic Nihilism

Like most young adults and teenagers these days, I have spent countless hours on YouTube in my life. I spend a solid amount of this time watching the typical sports highlights and funny content, but another area I spend a ton of time in are philosophical videos. One idea in particular that hits me really hard is optimistic nihilism. For a little background, nihilism literally means “nothingism.” In other words, nihilists believe that nothing really matters. Earth is a speck of dust in the universe, and as some say, we’re all just dust in the wind. This can understandably be a pretty negative mindset to have, and the idea that nothing really matters can make some people anxious and depressed. But for others, this idea is empowering and freeing. Optimistic nihilism basically asserts that if we’re all just dust in the wind, then we may as well make the most of every moment and try to make the world a better place. 

 

Personally, I remember one of the moments I’m most ashamed of was during my senior year of high school. I played baseball and we were in the last inning against our biggest rival. We were down by one run with two outs and a runner on third base, and I was on deck (the next batter up). Of course, I had the typical feelings of excitement and nervousness, but then one thought crossed my mind that I’ll never forget: “It wouldn’t be so bad if Danny (the hitter in front of me) gets out so I don’t have to go up.” Danny did end up getting out, but in that split-second, my lack of perspective undercut the countless hours of training I’d put in to get to that point. If I’d taken a step back from the moment and realized that getting out is not the end of the world, it would have freed me from the fear and nervousness that gripped me at that moment. This same perspective realization can free people from paralyzing, self-imposed pressure in any situation.

 

Interviews, tests, and speaking to someone you find really attractive can all be nerve-wracking situations. But with the idea of optimistic nihilism in mind, what do you have to lose? Absolutely nothing. Talk to that girl or guy. Go in with confidence into that interview and crush it. Or don’t. If you don’t crush it and don’t get the job, then life goes on and the world keeps turning. Failure is not the main thing that holds people back in life. The self-imposed fear of failure is. For me, optimistic nihilism has been a key factor that has relieved that sometimes suffocating fear and has improved my overall happiness and appreciation for life.

 

(Link to a cool video on the topic: https://youtu.be/MBRqu0YOH14) 

 

Comments

  1. Emlyn DaviesSeptember 28, 2020 at 12:39 AM

    My Sunday Scaries did not need me to watch that video. Optimistic Nihilism is a really interesting subject though, and plays into our collective psychology. One might think that if everyone believed in this, all life choices would be purely hedonistic. People would only choose what made them feel good. However, the fact that this isn't the case (a decent amount of the time) shows that maybe we have some inherent good in us. Also if we're being completely honest here, the Catholic guilt in me hates the idea of always acting in self-pleasure.

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  2. Darren WongSeptember 28, 2020 at 1:13 AM

    I totally feel you on just spending countless hours on YouTube. Optimistic nihilism sounds really interesting though! A thing I find off about the concept is that what you do in the present will come back to affect you in the future. But, if even that doesn't matter, I guess it's fine to just live in the moment. But thinking optimistically about it is definitely useful for overcoming your fears. Nice job!

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  3. bbalfreySeptember 28, 2020 at 2:07 PM

    Damn, that's a pretty cool mindset to have. I feel like that's the best way to go through life, just relaxed and easy going. Saying fuck it definitely helps in stressful moments, and I feel like some of the best parts of life are when you say fuck it in a good way. Thanks for sharing the video.

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