Finding light in the darkest of ideologies: Nihilism

Individual and societal purpose can provide quality meaning to people’s lives who strongly follow nihilistic rules. As a society, we already collectively perceive money, deities and corporations as real entities and, in some cases, fabricate real world versions of those perceptions (i.e., physical money and board rooms owned by tech giants). People are good at getting on board with imagined realities if they think it will make their own life or the lives of others better, simpler, or easier. One excruciating challenge I’ve had with nihilism myself is the perception that nothing truly matters. I am both comfortable with that fact and brought down by it. It takes a lot of courage to be alone in a world full of people educated and uneducated who believe in concepts merely fabricated by a strong storyline. Those who are uneducated, need to be brought into the modern era and those who are, well that’s a different story. Miseducation and the spread of false information dates back to the beginning of religion. World views of deities gained so much traction and accelerated the mass connection of civilization so well that it’s hard to shake belief in a system that has stood the test of time. Even if the spread of information was nothing compared to what’s currently available, people will refuse to change their moral opinions and re-educate themselves in something that’s actually important. Biblical studies and Sunday schools are a waste of time in this world of constant progress.

To loop this back around to my original statement, I think I see a strong potential for adding perceived value to the life of everyone, including nihilists, without getting stuck on religious accolades. Humans will likely exist long after our individual bodies degrade and there are obvious goals for where we want to see those future people when it comes their own time to suffer on a meaningless earth. Nihilist’s need to find meaning in individual and societal goals that they think will have a positive effect on the future. They don’t have too though, because it will not matter the slightest in the end, but it’s their choice and seemingly the only option to seek self-worth in anything. As long as your body keeps up with your brain, and your brain is okay with its place in the world, then it truly will not matter how you attack the way to live your life.