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You might know the lyrics from Kurt Vile's song 'Pretty Pimpin': "I woke up this morning, didn't recognize the man in the mirror..." Many of us feel this way in our daily lives, where days blend together, stress piles up, and vacations seem distant. We start thinking that maybe life doesn't have a big purpose, and that's called nihilism.
Today, we want to introduce you to 'Cheerful Nihilism' on Instagram. It's a place for people who understand that life might not have a clear meaning, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy it fully. Join us on this journey as we explore life's big questions with a smile, showing that even when things seem uncertain, we can find happiness, friendship, and wonder.
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Nihilism is the belief that life doesn't have any true meaning, purpose, or value. It became well-known in the 19th century, mainly thanks to Friedrich Nietzsche, who thought it could challenge moral and social norms. But not all nihilism is negative, and there are different ways to see life through this lens.
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"Nihilism" is a word that most people have heard but struggle to explain. When they do, it often boils down to something like: "Because nothing really matters, you can do whatever you want." Or even more positively: "Since nothing has a meaning, you can create your own." Many people, especially in the Western world, agree with nihilism's main idea that ultimately, nothing has a true purpose. Though they try to make it somehow positive.
#4
eeeeeeeee 2 years ago
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society" Is the exact quote, by Jiddu Krishnamurti.
Edward Finger Hands 2 years ago
It's attributed to Jiddu Krishnamurti— there's no record of him saying those exact words.
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David A Paterson 2 years ago
I know a group of people who all feel well-adjisted. I call them "a bunch of us-wholes".
Edward Finger Hands 2 years ago
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Attrib. Jiddu Krishnamurti
Isatdab 2 years ago
Yes, this world is tough if you don’t have a source of hope. I don’t know how people make it without hope.
Michael King 2 years ago (edited)
They don't, which is why the suicide rate keeps on creeping higher and higher.
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Bruce Horton 2 years ago
And being depressed in normal "western" country where the vast majority of people are living decent, average, perhaps not that interesting lives, means you need some help.
Worst Cop in Britain 2 years ago
But it can be, if done right. To rise above the unjust cruelty and be a light to those around you despite it, is.
Cheerful nihilism is all about finding happiness in the idea that life doesn't have a set meaning. It encourages people to release the stress caused by societal pressures, the fear of failing, or the pressure to go on a specific path of success and fulfillment. Instead, it suggests that we should savor life for what it is, without looking for a fixed meaning.
In this way of looking, no purpose doesn't lead to a bleak or pessimism. Instead, it offers the freedom to create our own purpose. Even though nihilism can seem negative at first, looking at it with a cheerful attitude can actually be good for mental health.
#10
The Doom Song 2 years ago
I would like to pop around to Mr Toad's place for tea. That guy seemed fun
#12
In this perspective, the absence of a predefined purpose doesn't lead to a bleak or pessimistic outlook. Instead, it offers the freedom to create our own purpose and significance. Even though nihilism can seem negative at first, looking at it with a cheerful attitude can actually benefit mental health.
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#14
The Doom Song 2 years ago
I'm sure my neighbours thought my "bf" was a sexaholic coz my dog had a people name and all they could here was "stop! Get off me!" And "Don't lick!"
Firstly, it takes away the pressure and anxiety when trying to meet society's expectations. Instead, it lets you live life on your terms. It also encourages you to be yourself and express who you are. In this way, you get to decide what matters most in your life. Lastly, cheerful nihilism lives on the idea of being mindful and grateful, which can make you feel better mentally, reduce depression and anxiety.
Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher who lived from 1844 to 1900, is sometimes thought of as a troubling figure. While Nietzsche is often linked with nihilism, and he did have a solid grasp of it, in reality, he was far from being a true nihilist. In his own words: "He that speaks here, conversely, has done nothing so far but reflect . . . as the first perfect nihilist of Europe who, however, has even now lived through the whole of nihilism, to the end, leaving it behind, outside himself."
#19
michael Chock 2 years ago (edited)
This event started in Switzerland back in 1863 when two brother told their neighbors that they could beat them down the hill. It has since escalated into this.
#21
Nietzsche believed that nihilism was bound to happen in history, and looking at our world today, it seems he was mostly right. Nihilism broke through as a result of the falling of Christianity and traditional values.
#22
Just like Jacobi, Kierkegaard, Sartre, and Camus, Nietzsche saw nihilism as a major problem, one of the biggest crises. In simpler terms, Nietzsche didn't like nihilism. His solution was to break down our old values, and then build new values to replace them.
#25
michael Chock 2 years ago
Two questions. Is the priest going to be animating the Muppet as if it's actually doing the eulogy. Will there be a musical number.
#26
As we deal with the tricky idea of finding meaning, let's not avoid the tough questions brought by nihilism. Instead, let's confront them bravely. We should see that without a set purpose, we have a great chance to build our own paths, fill our lives with significance, and, in the end, discover joy in the act of making our own way in the world. Check out our previous editions on nihilism and how it can be cheerful.
#28
michael Chock 2 years ago
And if you don't do something quick you will have a whoopsie-daisy chain going on.
#30
HeavyMetalHeart 2 years ago
All of my colleagues, while I am here foolishly being good at my job and being rewarded by getting more and more work.
#31
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 2 years ago
Our soft can-opener says "Who's Mama's Audi Boy? And "Is her Mama's Bouchity Boo?"
#32
Floeckchen 2 years ago
What is it with medieval painters and babies? They actualy have seen one, yes?
#34
cerinamroth 2 years ago
My sister was halfway through a home birth and realised her husband had added a terrifyingly upbeat song to her playlist. So not only did she have to carry on, filled with a growing rage at her husband, she had to do it to the music of the unfailingly cheery UK pop group S Club 7.
#36
Zakaar Bovus 2 years ago
"So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life."
#38
#42
Will Cable 2 years ago
How to screw up a perfectly clean and respectable search history by looking up one word
#43
#44
#46
Stephen Smith 2 years ago
Did not know that. But I do know with an old type writer, on the hammer heads the upper case was above the lower case. And it's sad I can remember using one :(
#47
Floeckchen 2 years ago (edited)
Well you can't be sad when you are dead... unless your name is moaning myrtle
#48
michael Chock 2 years ago
I always thought they should do this with Curious George, where George accidentally sees a mob killing attended by a senator. Of course the man in the yellow hat is too drunk to help George, like always, why did you think George is never supervised.
#50
Nicola Roberts 2 years ago
Yesterday I started making a Bolognese with turkey mince (because it's good for me). I didn't like the way it looked so I added two beef stock cubes. So now it's extremely salty and I need to google how to make it less salty. Add fresh herbs, the only one I had to hand was coriander/cilantro. To be fair it was kind of working. Next suggestion add more liquid. I have no idea what I made by the time I had to thicken it up with more veg and even some vege mince, but, I have to eat the leftovers tonight. My life in 100 words or less.
#51
The Doom Song 2 years ago
Number 1 would most certainly get me fired at work but hey we all have fantasies right?
#54
afia kooma 2 years ago
Excess of "staying-alive" hormones can actually do that in our mundane everyday lifes. You need to be scared, have sex or play/dance it out ot your system.❤️
#55
David A Paterson 2 years ago
"I used to think that life was sane with small patches of insanity. But after giving a series of talks to businesses, I've realised that life is insane with small patches of sanity. It's a whole other paradigm". John Cleese.
#61
Dispatcherqueen 2 years ago
Lol, Je ne sais quois, meaning, I don't know what. The above spelling is better
#62
keyboardtek 2 years ago
Wouldn't it be amazing if we were all to suddenly find out all the superheroes are just made up comic book characters?
#66
David A Paterson 2 years ago
(checks web). Dialectical materialism is Marx's euphemism for "doublethink", holding two contrary opinions at the same time.
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