Nihilism: An In-Depth Discussion -

[@CosmicSkeptic]

Get all sides of every story and be better informed at ground.news/AlexOC - subscribe for 40% off unlimited access. Watch Joe's channel here: www.youtube.com/@unsolicitedadvice9198

[@AlasbardesX_x]

Alex have you heard of Krapopolis?

[@jamescastro2037]

English means to put a spin on a ball. If the word on its own merit is sound then we can put a spin on a baal. It's a hell of language that brings many revelations.

[@shamanahaboolist]

"Vanity" is actually the exactly correct interpretation of Solomon's intent. It intentionally implies the cause of these ambitions as being from the ego.

[@козел-й5к]

when i was atheist i evetually find solution for question of life meaning by just recirculating this question. why we asking meaning of life, when life is the answer for meaning. whats meaning of everithing? life. and thats give sense of purpose and understanding thats we dont need to suicide, cause life is the answer. with all that mysteries that come with this. you just dont want to be anything, you need something. and you need something interesting with drama and all, that give us interest.

[@ShuggieEdvaldson]

Hey Alex, i have a question, does the sport of football have any real meaning & purpose to it? 22 grown men kicking a sheep's bladder about a ploughed field...where's the rationality in that? They want to grow up these peepil, nuffin but a bunch of deluded idiotic morons the lot of 'em, and anyway, Rugby's better, cos it's obviously way more credible, at least to the mature intellectuals amongst us, AHEM!! "William Webb Ellis was a great genius!" - Me ( just there the now!)

[@johnnywatkins]

I was depressed by my nihilism, but my depression was utterly pointless

[@benxojylol6537]

good one lmao

[@Darwin_is_my_copilot]

Joke...tautology...or some brilliant metaphysical Hawking radiation escape from the depths of depression?

[@adflicto1]

@@Darwin_is_my_copilot lol

[@johnnywatkins]

@@Darwin_is_my_copilot and the truth will set you free

[@1yanyiel]

Even worse, the pointlessness of my depression was utterly pointless.

[@alexroth9197]

I initially thought Alex was interviewing a Nihilist and was so confused by how golden retriever this lad is.

[@libra.]

lmaoo😂

[@loust1264]

such a good boy

[@jeson9962]

I mean being a nihilist and a golden retriever isn't condratictory

[@anticringe4973]

sometimes a comment can reveal more about yourself than you initially meant.

[@misskwannie]

@@anticringe4973 and that's okay

[@unsolicitedadvice9198]

Thanks for having me on! I had a great time recording this!

[@Rave.-]

Did I ask for your opinion?

[@Rave.-]

c:

[@chamicels]

You are Hot !

[@walle5949]

It was a good convo, pleasure to hear you two chat

[@nietzschescodes]

I discovered your channel today. Will probably watch all your videos in the next days. Great topics.

[@luphoria]

"Yes! Yeah, yeah." ~ Unsolicited Advice Please do more with him, I've never heard of him before and this conversation was just fantastic!

[@cullsans]

"Mmm"

[@WickedIndigo]

His enthusiasm is very contagious. His videos are a good bit of fun

[@spacefinn]

A podcast about nihilism - who cares?

[@helvetesmakt1]

an utterly meaningless conversation

[@helvetesmakt1]

@@jakehimes5124 whoosh

[@BaseSixBasics]

But wait… who cares about your comment??

[@thomascromwell6840]

​@@BaseSixBasicsWho cares about your reply?

[@phils3631]

😂 I know right, what’s the point !

[@tessahammond4963]

My two philosopher crushes in one room talking about my favorite subject. You have my FULL attention.

[@Alex-pg1gt]

But in the end it doesn't even matter

[@ajdrums8075]

Time for a philosopher threesome!

[@joanabug4479]

@@Alex-pg1gt It starts with one...

[@conforzo]

Your not a philosopher just by talking about other philohophers. You're a philosopher teacher.

[@OmniversalInsect]

​@@conforzoEveryone who thinks philosophically is in a way a philosopher.

[@ronintage]

You can tell they're both having a great time together. This was so enjoyable to watch and listen to.

[@MrExtraordinaire16]

It's weird you say that because Alex seemed so tired in this video because he seems very energetic compared to usual.

[@fubilosophy]

This is not only two philosophers having a great discussion,, This is also two philosophy geeks geeking out about philosophy I’m so happy to see Alex displaying His youthful spirit here. Something that, given the weight of His contents, rarely shown

[@RangerRyke]

this dude literally just popped up on my radar and here he is with Alex already. I can see you guys collaborating for years to come.

[@naturoganism1641]

😂happened to me as well. He randomly popped up on my feed, used to listen to him but never subscribed until now

[@Everything_Simpler]

Joe has the biggest grin on his face the entire time. Such an exciting conversation :) Thank you both

[@all-caps3927]

I couldn't help but notice that too, he clearly loves the subject. It's my first time coming across him I will certainly be checking out his stuff in the future, especially with regards to historical philosophical content which tracks through individual philosophers I've had little interest in up until they're brought up in conversation and debate.

[@Everything_Simpler]

​ @all-caps3927 ​On his channel, he looks at books in the lens of features of rationality and human cognition, which points you in the direction of existential investigation. Enthralling

[@historywithhilbert]

This opening about the weird kind of shame and hesitancy to admit to being a "KZbinr" come across as very accurate to my own experience!

[@punlovincriminal5564]

Well it does indicate sexual deviance.

[@hi-cc3ek]

dankzij jou heb ik over zoveel verschillende geschiedenisonderwerpen geleerd waar ik anders niets vanaf had geweten, je maakt geweldige videos :)

[@mesekkai]

Because people see videos as art and think you cant make money making art.. this gen starving artist

[@teemumiettinen7250]

​@@mesekkaiisnt music art? plenty of succesful musicians. Even billionaires.

[@mesekkai]

@@teemumiettinen7250 yea but yet new musicians are discouraged to pursue their path because its "not a real job" because they arent making much money from it at frist .,.shit when people say "i want to be a rapper " alot of people think they are not going to do well in life. Because they see art as a hobby not a job ..

[@The_Wanderer_And_His_Shadow]

Unsolicited Advised became among my favourite channels. So good to see you two having a conversation.

[@JavaScripting64]

I want to learn more about nihilism but don’t really see the point.

[@Nikhilisded]

Lol

[@PROtoss987]

You've already got it!

[@marichikat904]

You are nihilist without the label

[@INTELLIGENCE_Revolution]

😂

[@Skurian_krotesk]

WHAAAATTT, THIS IS AN AWESOME COLLAB!!!! Holy crap how did i not see that coming at all i could cry, this makes me so happy❤😂

[@FahimusAlimus]

You two should start a podcast together. This was the best chemistry I’ve seen with Alex compared to anyone else on the show.

[@StratfordWingRider]

Unsolicited Advice is my new binge worthy channel. His hand gestures and presentation has me hooked

[@ThatPrettyBMF]

This dude just talked so fast that I was compelled to check my playback speed. It's set to 1.0... I'm literally stunned.

[@Tyler-hk4wo]

Same. I was confused for a moment before I checked the playback speed and it was normal.

[@acupanraphaelgio7925]

He tends to use a lot of filler words (umms, yeahs, etc.) in this conversation, which makes him come across as confusing and talking a bit too fast, which I see as the only downside to listening to him talk in this conversation. That said, his scripted content is paced a lot better, and he will no doubt become better in impromptu speaking as time goes on.

[@Wingedmagician]

@@acupanraphaelgio7925I didn’t even notice it

[@GumballEdits]

addy which is fine, but thats what it is

[@truthbetold8233]

He seems a bit nervous. It's nothing too terrible though.

[@redblueblur6321]

Two of my favorite philosophy youtubers togather 🔥🔥🔥

[@GaganSingh-nx2yv]

People who make videos on KZbin* lol

[@ashrayapoorva1839]

Pajeet lassi​@@GaganSingh-nx2yv

[@OfficialMiniFridge]

“Don’t try to box me or something” in regards to Jake Paul was the funniest thing you’ve said on the channel

[@connorwhitmore5400]

* dox

[@michaelkendall1263]

​@@connorwhitmore5400he did not say dox lol

[@arenh2049]

Glad someone else caught that 😂

[@greenLimeila]

I'm very surprised they didn't entertain the idea of boxing each other when they mentioned who they'd fight!

[@whitenoiseratio]

Joe is such a passionate and eloquent character. Great conversation!

[@aosidh]

"I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world" has always been so deeply comforting to me 😌

[@gooddaysahead1]

Is it a philosophical perspective or is an outcome of personal growth...not allowing people or events to define your subjective outlook on yourself and your world? It's not a challenge. I'm just curious.

[@danieldiri2969]

​@@gooddaysahead1i think it's philosophical just because of the wording.

[@prasadelangovan46]

Holy shit for some reason I never thought I'd see both of my favourite KZbin philosophers together

[@BradleyRoberti]

“You can say whatever ya like… (nods to camera)… Within Reason” 😂

[@lad4694]

I needed to load up the KZbin version just to see this moment😂😂😂

[@piusosas5550]

Came here to find this comment

[@kirsche4631]

24:38 "You can say whatever you like... Hey, Within Reason" Gold

[@StephenIC]

Finally Alex has tackled the complex topic of public masturbation. About time.

[@macdougdoug]

As I see it : one should first acquire a large earthenware pot to live in.

[@petretepner8027]

But with dreamboat Joe Folley on the show, an opportunity was sadly missed for a more "hands-on" approach to the topic.👌

[@samialivand1511]

This interview is so english, it makes me feel colonized

[@scuffediceposeidon9178]

I was half french, half German. Now I'm wearing Burberry driving a Bentley but I'm still atheist fortunately

[@arkadiuszrenc1498]

I don't care

[@fruich]

This has been the most intimate interview that I've ever watched on Alex's channel really. Can literally see from the way they talk with each other they fit each other well, possibly because age diff is minute

[@TheHobby_Lobby]

Watching people talk about their passions together is so wholesome, it’s clear you guys really enjoyed the conversation!

[@dongeonmaster8547]

What a great conversation. It was a pleasure to listen to.

[@GrassGuy2481]

Yes! Yeah yeah yeah

[@freezeblizz]

Thanks for inviting Joe, I didn’t even know that you’ve talked to him. This is amazing conversation.

[@bennywright12]

This is really cool too watch as they're almost getting giddy about the topic which doesn't happen when there's an older person involved! They're getting as excited as I do so it's just nice to watch!

[@Oliver-b7j]

Thumbnail is misleading, I was expecting an interview with Nietzsche 😒

[@anearthian894]

😂

[@coreyrachar9694]

OMG I thought he just shaved! I feel so betrayed T.T

[@somnathghoshal103]

He wasn't a nihilist

[@josephrogers3666]

It doesn't matter

[@Oliver-b7j]

@@somnathghoshal103 Original thumbnail had Nietzsche in it

[@Conspexit]

Lmao Oxford vs Cambridge and they gel so well

[@all-caps3927]

why should the university you went to determine who you interact well with?

[@spiralsausage]

​@@all-caps3927why shouldn't it?

[@YodasPapa]

They're the same thing

[@csquared4538]

@@spiralsausageah, yes, where does the burden of proof lie.

[@Hemlocker]

@@all-caps3927 I'm pretty sure it was a joke, friend

[@dragonfetus4125]

Born to care about everything very much, forced to care about nothing.

[@deathvideogame]

What’s forcing you?

[@SurrealBackrooms]

@@deathvideogamenihilistic values

[@dragonfetus4125]

@@deathvideogame my enormous member

[@csquared4538]

@@deathvideogame assuming they are actually a nihilist; genes and environment.

[@Synthesia-ef7hj]

no thats forcing them to care about things, whats forcing them to care about nothing?​@@csquared4538

[@chefskengko184]

This was a fantastic conversation, you guys are the next public thinkers and I couldn't be happier.

[@SharedPhilosophy]

Yess!! I absoutely love Joe!!! Thank you alex for having him on!

[@dapostop7384]

Joe folley was someone that was a breath of fresh air into the scene.

[@tani.1772]

im so excited to watch you guys converse, been waiting since Joe posted 🙌🙌

[@andrejg3086]

Joe's channel is my favorite on KZbin.

[@Honzis616]

Nice video! I started watching unsolicited advice quite recently and I wasn't expecting him on your channel. Looking forwards to your next guests.

[@nyrtzi]

This is a very pleasant surprise. I've been listening to Joe's monologues a lot lately and enjoyed them a lot.

[@yotamschmidt570]

Unique enthusiasm Joe. I like how you just laugh appreciatively as a reponse of affirmation, it's like an animated nodding

[@DiogenesNephew]

I'd watch countless more episodes with this fella. This was a fascinating conversation.

[@captainyossarian388]

How can nothing matter when faced with these two and their off the charts charisma and deep takes? In some parallel universe, they're a tag team philosophy couple that takes the world by storm, including a series of philosophy-wrapped-in-a-sitcom movies.

[@ThrashXCV]

Thanks for introducing me to him and his channel, I’d say that unsolicited advice and philosophize this have been my most watched channels of the last few months

[@SharedPhilosophy]

Alex. One of my goals in life is to be on your podcast. I'll work hard and make content and one day when the time is right, I be talking face to face with you. Absoutley LOVE your content! Keep up the great work!

[@wehojm7320]

Yes! Please continue this dialogue. You both are fantastic individuals and thought provoking in this exchange.

[@feedingravens]

Forrest Valkai declares himself as Nihilist - the most positive, life-affirming person I can imagine. What he means with that is that there is no outer, prescribed meaning of life. And that allows you to be free to choose your own, personal meaning for your life. One that YOU consider worthwile, that you like to pursue, where you can set yourself REACHABLE milestones so that you have a feeling of success. That idea I find magnificent. It would help so many people when they learn how much the small things of life can give you, and not despair at the "great" questions. Is it not already good when you are making a remark towards a random person you are walking by on the road and make him/her smile? In principle demonstrate to people that life is NOT this senseless, eternally repeating existence, but each event is/can be different. Just learn to see.

[@sirbaguette8378]

I'm not a philosophy buff but your statement nihilism allows you to choose your own meaning... Isn't that just existentialism? Arent they different things or is existentialism a subset of nihilism?

[@TheThinker-jv3me]

​@@sirbaguette8378As said by someone wise , Nihilism is a question, Absurdism and Existentialism it's answers.

[@laze4534]

@@TheThinker-jv3me I'd argue they're rather coping mechanisms that seek to satiate our innate biological processes rather than logical answers.

[@TheThinker-jv3me]

@@laze4534 Well till the time we are not able to find out a perfect epistemological methodology, I think these are the closest answers which are inherently more logical than other alternatives like religion or objective truth .

[@laze4534]

​@@TheThinker-jv3me My point is, you only consider them logical because arbitrarily your biology results in you having similar desires to those who authored the ideas. That is not logical, it's a coincidence of having similar biological biases. Like you said, until there is a valid epistemology these are the closest answers, or as I said mere coping mechanisms. Though of course there will never be a valid epistemology methodology as all things outside of mathematics are not objective.

[@vital.elements]

It's a real treat to see you guys together. More please 😊🙏

[@Dad_readsbooks]

Love this collab! You guys have both given so much to think about!

[@anatolydyatlov963]

I absolutely love the chemistry between you two!

[@greendragonspirit1646]

👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨

[@pissoncops]

loved this episode. please have him back!!

[@sssf55]

Nietzche is the prime example of intellectual honestly. He's sometimes seen as nihilist because he explores nihilism extensively in both directions. However, anyone who's made a reasonable attempt to understand his works would know that he doesn't have a positive view of nihilism but rather sees it as humanities challenge to overcome.

[@nietzschescodes]

This channel is getting better and better.

[@BigSneeze58]

Two guys that are both so excited about their conversation that they cannot stop interrupting each other

[@haukenot3345]

1:14:38 "I value what you're giving me rather than what the ceiling is" is a compliment I will definitely remember.

[@chemquests]

I’ve never quite understood why nihilism is depressing for some people. I find it quite liberating. I suppose it’s a measure of how dependent someone is on their sources of meaning when they encounter the idea.

[@mornotafi]

Cause people want a guide , something absolute . Nihilism rejects all that so their opinion about it will always be negative .

[@ArcadianGenesis]

@chemquests I agree. Nihilism is a beautiful idea because it means we are fundamentally _free._ We're not obligated to live in any particular way dictated by a supreme authority. Some ways of living can still be better than others from a naturalistic perspective, but there can be a multitude of ways to live well as long as you're living in harmony with your fellow creatures.

[@NicolasSchaII]

@@ArcadianGenesisabsolutely not, huge misunderstanding here. Chances are you guys watched the Kurzgesagt video.

[@ArcadianGenesis]

@@NicolasSchaII Yes, Kurzgesagt gave an excellent overview of optimistic nihilism. Do you have a problem with it?

[@shin5-d9n]

For me, the problem with being nihilistic is that nihilism is like a mental opportunistic parasite/pathogen that whispers the idea of suicide in your ear and tries to convince you that it is the least painful course of action (from a rationalistic perspective) when things aren't going great and emotionally that's pretty depressing

[@spencerbuck1074]

I watch every one of his videos. I'm so happy he's been invited as a guest

[@bsh556]

I think this will be my favorite episode Very excited to listen to this

[@philodemic8797]

I am very glad Alex said "we will have to have you back" because I would listen to every podcast these two did! If these two met at uni and said lets start a philosophy podcast and did nothing but "cosmic advise" or "unsolicited skeptic" or "Alex O Advise" maybe not that last one not sure how long they could talk about O's I feel like they'd have such a big following. There's a certain dynamic between exploration chaos but still keeping it very linear and followable you two have. more pls

[@Musix4me-Clarinet]

I am an older viewer (55). When I first started hopping onto KZbin to watch philosophy videos and, as a result of the road traveled, debunking videos, I hiccupped my way to accepting that the younger generation has interesting and valuable things to share. Seeing you, Modified Skeptic, Rationality Rules, and now Joe, I am feeling more and more confident that there _is_ a generation to keep things rolling. [ *Reference:* I am dealing with the nonsense that is Trump and his cult here in the US and I have been losing my hope for the future of our country, at least.]

[@machtnichtsseimann]

There is non-sense about Trump as well as good things. There is non-sense about Biden and the Left, including their enabling of Woke extremism that someone like Trump opposes. One of the very good things he has done. Not all bad / not all good. If you are the likes of referring to anyone who will vote for Trump as "cult", then you're frankly a part of the non-sense and being duped by the Establishment Left. If you are against actual cults, anywhere they are found, from the Left to the Right, most recently the Far Left, then we are aligned in that. I've been around the block plenty, from the Right to the Left, and your comment at the end isn't persuasive with me. It would've been many years ago.

[@johnrockyryan]

These guys are the best of Gen Z has to offer and they are incredible they will take us forward I know they will.

[@valerydz]

you two are so different yet work so beautifully in a conversation

[@theintelligentmilkjug944]

Ecclesiastes has to be one of my favorite Old Testament book.

[@jeremiahbok9028]

I was hoping you'd have Unsolicited Advice on, so excited to listen!

[@scottbissonnette514]

Your analysis of your boxing matchups are spot on lol

[@thecrazyeagle9674]

This was great fun to watch! Solicited advice is an awesome channel.

[@Kryptic712]

This is awesome. Please more of these

[@a_suslov]

You guys are so energetic, it’s exciting

[@jefferyjimson8574]

We identify individual aspects to everything. So a table and a chair as two separate things in relation to everything. But when we are not doing that, there is already everything. Free from the need for individual aspects to be identified. The identification of individual aspects is knowing, we are searching to know everything. Everything is already free from the need to be known. There is just absolute freedom, covered over by that search for knowing.

[@debbiemetke5938]

You are amazing. Thanks for doing your show(s)

[@tahllaz]

Here goes the 2 minds in our public sphere who makes philosophy tasty and super interesting kudos to you lads well done 👊🏿👊🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@chrisjarmain]

Ohhh, Joe Folley! Brilliant to see him doing so well. ❤

[@JNB0723]

Nihilism is not a response, but a truth proposition. It either *is* or *is not* . It cannot be good or bad, or right or wrong... it cannot be anything outside of its definition in its truest sense. If it is the case that nihilism is true, meaning that no meaning exists in the universe, then we can focus on how that makes us feel. If nihilism is depressing or liberating, it does not make the truth any more wrong. If nihilism makes someone feel sad, that feeling does not mean nihilism is false. Our reactions can allow us to explore responses like existentialism and absurdism and all of the other philosophical "subsets" (as I like to refer to them as), but we need to clarify between the response, the emotion, and the definition. Now, I will admit that as a more postmodernist-leaning person (especially when it comes to epistemology), I will recognize that it may be difficult to define nihilism. For example, the meta-narrative I lean towards when I hear nihilism not only entails no objective meaning- but also no subjective meaning (as I postulate that if no meaning exists objectively than how can subjective meaning be constructed; how would that process be defined?). This makes me find many existentialists extremely self-deprecating and entirely ignorant. However, I can recognize that their meta-narratives regarding nihilism might be defined differently, so I still hold to recognition of such definitions even if I find them inherently absurd.

[@JNB0723]

@Bluuuud just because you are a moral nihilist does not mean that society should not have boundaries.

[@DeenMohAly]

Inconsequentialness

[@cyberneticbutterfly8506]

@Bluuuud Why would we care about what matters objectively, when what matters subjectively is more than enough? I'd say even the nature of 'mattering' is something that presumes subjectivity rather than objectivity. Sometimes the thinking on this gets muddled because subjectivity is objectively something that many people have in common, the bell curve of values and emotions and instincts make people converge on a common subjective morality. It's not random. But also not objective.

[@keithbirdwell]

Except nihilism is bad and is false. If everything is meaningless, then nihilism means nothing and has no meaning of nothingness.

[@cyberneticbutterfly8506]

@Bluuuud I think my point was that the natural normal biological instincts DO NOT say "this is fine" unless you are at the edges of the bell curve, an abnormal human biologically speaking. Feeling empathy is the norm.

[@EnglishEvolution]

OMG I'm so excited!! You two are my current obsessions and I love it when my current obsessions come together!

[@daniellemons23]

Surely you’ll have to box a theist. The ultimate debate format.

[@someonesomeone25]

But would trust them not to cheat?

[@med_ayhem_benabda]

I really liked Joe's energy and passion

[@jatintharkoti2318]

Two of the most handsome modern philosophers in one frame.

[@dylanvooght9729]

Great convo lads!

[@MinosML]

1:15:10 Gotta love when 2 philosophy oriented minds come across a new and succint idea/conclusion that neither of them have though about before but makes so much sense and start gushing about it with each other 😂 Looking foward to that paper, fellas Loved this episode so much! My two fav philosophy channels on an uninterrupted and enthusiastic back and forth about my favorite topic in philosophy (Camus was right with his opening line wasn't he), it seems like an early Christmas, really!

[@kaneclarke4825]

Excellent conversation. Really enjoyed listening to this.

[@KG-jx8zt]

Just FYI, I think the translation of hebel to "absurd" is overkill and implies some type of unexpected or puzzling quality. But the Hebrew "hebel" means: breath, emptiness, transitory, unsatisfactory, futile. It is the same word as Abel, son of Adam and Eve, whose life was as short as a breath or vapor. Also, the KJV "vanity" used to mean "in vain" as opposed to self centered/looks obsessed. The NASB Bible translation uses "futility." I think this is a good choice for modern English. Although the Hebrew word has a more multifaceted meaning.

[@YM-zf8mt]

Loved the ending about the genuine discovery you two made about the spectrum of nihilism and all things

[@philipnorthfield]

Life is merely a sentence we all serve individually together, in an environment we didn't choose, if we are lucky we get to alter the decor, content and dimensions of our cell whilst exerting influence over the the term.

[@someonesomeone25]

Worse, because freewill doesn't exist.

[@philipnorthfield]

@@someonesomeone25 which is exactly why I used the words lucky, didn't choose and merely influence not control.

[@jitheshdsouza98]

Iife is a blessing.

[@philipnorthfield]

@@jitheshdsouza98 to who? By who? For who?

[@jitheshdsouza98]

@@philipnorthfield To me. By God. For God

[@brandonleehenry6393]

Thank you both for your compelling, constructive and thoughtful contributions to humanity. ✌🏽

[@TwoDudesPhilosophy]

Philosophy Avengers Assemble!

[@ashleighellison9509]

I've just come across your channels and I'm excited to listen to the content. Philosophy is my main passion and your enthusiasm and freshness is really enjoyable to watch. I'm not well read in Nihilism but I do feel that there's a reason why the brain/mind finds itself in the position of self-awareness from an existential perspective. To understand it fully I believe you have to at least live through it, be humbled by it and recognise the journey that it takes you. Intellectually understanding it and reading other people's accounts will only get you so far. My belief is that nihilism is like a computers operating system that can separate itself from the software in moments where its either necessary or something has occurred in the environment and caused the system to crash. It's important to me to acknowledge nihilism as a basis of understanding, to fall back on and to be humbled by. To go back to the basic and fundamental understanding that nothing really matters to the universe, to creation and that it's all just an illusion. From that point and depth which is almost like coming to terms with mortality, you can emerge and create a reality that is best fitting for your circumstances. I like the quote 'you have to die to live' and I can relate to the idea that to define oneself in the material world, to cling to it and feel that your reality is circumstantial, is where pain and suffering comes from. Viktor Frankl summed it up for me and his accounts of people giving up and dying in the concentration camps and his development of Logotherapy. He always knew when somebody was about to give up and die because they would smoke their cigarette, the only thing that was of value that could be used for bargaining for food and medical care etc.

[@Happydrumstick93]

Interesting talk, I struggle to watch when the guest is making grunting noises when Alex is talking. I get he is trying to show he is pasionate and engaged in the conversation but man, when people do that to me it makes it extremely difficult to talk, and when I'm listening to a conversation when it's happening its like passing kidney stones trying to not get distracted.

[@NicolasSchaII]

As someone who has spend lots of time with this topic, I can tell you the following: there is no evidence for nihilism to be a rational view of existence or for it to be true; nihilism cannot be falsified; nihilism is a subjective choice of believe; moral realism is true, moral truths and moral facts exist; rationality can't explain intrinsic factors of the human condition, emotions can‘t be objectified; scientific method demands being humble and open minded, nihilism is therefore not possible because it deals in absolutes; free will is true, compatibilism is the main position in the scientific conmunity. BUT: this conversation was in general really good, I think Alex' guest is very interesting to listen to and he makes good points. And I love that you guys talked about good old Dostoevsky

[@BarrySometimes]

Mr Folley appears to be powered by fusion. Endless energy.

[@unreadlibrarian]

Big American Appalachian Protestant energy.

[@scoptato1335]

wow i didnt think id see these 2 together, cant wait to indulge in this discussion

[@johndavis2553]

If I remember properly from my studies, “Hevel”, the Hebrew word in Ecclesiastes, connotatively amounts to Vanity or Meaningless, yes. However, I learned at the same time that it is literally translated as a word for dust or smoke. Something that can be seen, but not grasped. Felt, but not held. 14:42

[@Pugilist379]

14:50 this is surreal. I spoke to my theology friend James about this exact sentiment last year, wherein we cross-examined Nietzsche and Solomon’s reconciliations with Nihilism. Our conversation on this tracks very similar to yours!

[@predo4467]

Its funny that alex seems to be this calm, peacefull figure and joe looks like hes about to have a heart attack because of how enthusiastic he is. They re opposite personalities but it works well

[@GuildOfTheBlackCrow]

ADHD

[@spacebuddy5339]

Dude's so animated and energetic it's contagious 😂.

[@spacebuddy5339]

​@@GuildOfTheBlackCrowYou think? 🤔

[@GuildOfTheBlackCrow]

@@spacebuddy5339 Yup.

[@KoraOSRS]

Joe Folley’s constant passive noises of approval and enthusiasm when Alex is talking like “hmm. Yes! Uh huh. Yeah!” sound indistinguishable from NPC dialogue noises in games in non-voice acted dialogues haha

[@knowledgeispower200]

I am so curious to this one. I have to admit that I am under the shadow of nihilism the last couple of years and I hope that the smartest thinkers in the world can help me.

[@CollegeofEternalVigilance]

I would say that it is premature to have a position of certainty such that nihilism requires. In the meantime, I would love to see more people directing their faith towards something tangible. I believe "Freedom for all humans" is the best target for our worship.

[@CollegeofEternalVigilance]

@Bluuuud i have videos making my case and I would be happy to discuss it. The short version is that all humans appear to already judge Good and Bad through the lense of freedom and consent. Maximizing every human's ability to make choices without necessity, coercion, or constraint is likely the only goal we can all functionally share.

[@CollegeofEternalVigilance]

@Bluuuud it's not possible to prove it and I am not trying to. I am suggesting that it would be better if everyone believed it. Which is what I meant by putting your faith towards it. If more people choose to believe in and work for freedom instead of thinking of it as an entitlement to use for their personal gratification then I suspect we will all get more of what we actually want out of life.

[@petretepner8027]

@Bluuuud Indeed, freedom and consent are very localized metrics, both geographically and temporally, by which Good and Bad are and have been judged by humans, and the suggestion that they are in any sense "universal" is ludicrous.

[@Dovakiin_69]

My two favourite creators, fuck yeah

[@advanced8625]

why do people so often think nihilism means you cant have hypothetical meaning its so weird and deters so many people from the view for no reason

[@advanced8625]

@@zahubshahid7944 you just did what i said people were doing. no you dont, you dont have to do any of that you can have subjective meaning under nihilism all it is is the denial of objective or categorical meaning, am a nihilist and i dont have to remind my self of anything, am perfectly happy and fulfilled in my life

[@luxeayt6694]

@@advanced8625 when life sucks, being convinced of the nihilistic position isn't great.

[@knowledgeispower200]

@@zahubshahid7944 I completely agree with you on this one. In a way, it can be refreshing to put into perspective certain 'failures' (if you are not able to get kids, you can always say it doesn't matter anyway) but it also takes away a lot of joy when certain 'goals' are achieved. I suffered from this perspective a lot the last couple of years when certain goals were achieved. How do you personally deal with this?

[@FidoeFTW]

You said hypothetical meaning, not subjective meaning. Those are two different things. ​@@advanced8625

[@FidoeFTW]

​@@knowledgeispower200Unfortunately my answer won't be useful to you because I'm not a nihilist. I was merely pointing out how mentally taxing and emotionally draining nihilism can be. I wish you best of luck with trying to find consistent joy in life.

[@ClearlySkeptical]

Incredibly captivating discussion! I was absolutely spellbound by this collab. Can you ever realistically be a true nihilist? Personally I think it's at least close to impossible, since most of us have some form of values from culture and/or religion. Perhaps psychopaths would be the closest.

[@navneetkaur4763]

the two titans meet...