What book can I read as an antidote to this?
I've reached a level of nihilism I didn't think possible. It's actually interfering with my day to day life.
Basically I need to re-delude myself into believing anything I do matters and that I'm lucky to be alive.
>>7835686
I have always used Pratchett to this purpose, let me think, there may be other things...
>>7835686
Take the redpill and you'll believe in God, capitalism, the family unit with a man at the head of the household, patriarchal societal structure, non-degeneracy, hierarchy, tradition, and whiteness
>>7835706and homosexuality
>>7835706
Why are any of these things good things? Why is nihilism a bad thing? Just live.
>>7835686
Bill Bryson also is pretty optimistic, but the thing, when I think about it is, that analysis always leads to pessimism, no?
Its attachment to real stuff that holds you up. I really cannot remember anyone, who is able to support rationally any kind of optimistic attitude.
I got a garden. It works, man, seriously.
>>7835730
>"Why is God and his intentions and purpose for us a good thing?"
Start with the Greeks
>>7835706
>worshipping a Jewish demiruge
shake my head
>>7835745
thanks friend I'll keep that in mind :^)
>>7835745
I know it's a joke, but I actually just got the Complete Works of Plato, but I've only read the 5 'Last Days of Socrates' dialogues so far. I'll keep at it though.
Should I go earlier than that to Homer even?
>>7835686
Soumission
It's a utopian vision of europe
>>7835706
And be trapped forever in a Norman Rockwell painting?
>>7835706
>>7835706
>jewish god
>whiteness
wew laddio
>>7835686
Buddhism, it's designed to help you cope with the void without redeluding yourself.
>>7835686
Dostoyevsky: first he shows you that he understands the nihilistic, misanthropic person's mind, then he shows you the way out.
>Basically I need to re-delude myself into believing anything I do matters and that I'm lucky to be alive.
You don't have to. You could, if you like, believe in God literally, but you don't have to. The idea of God in your mind can be strong enough that you don't care if God is not real.
You can accept the truth, which is that we can't know if God is real, and still be affected by him. No delusions. You make your own reason for existing and you live purely for the fulfillment that you get.
There is a feeling you get that can't be conveyed in a few lines. Read The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Tolstoy and then go read some Dostoyevsky.
If you don't feel something after The Death of Ivan Ilyich then you also probably didn't understand the end, it is not a hard read though.
>>7836741
Hey man, I'm not trying to say there is objective morality or objective truth. I'm just trying to give OP advice on how he can find meaning and truth (subjective) in his life.
I still like Ligotti and understand all the points he makes. I haven't ever read Max Stirner, but I get the ideas. I'm not trying to get OP to give up his base nihilistic idea, I'm trying to help him build something on that base.
I suggested him the stuff that pulled me out of the apathetic, misanthropic slump I was in.
What ever keeps you going. If for you that is calling out others for the meaninglessness of their lives, then good for you.
It seems that OP can't do that and
>I've reached a level of nihilism I didn't think possible. It's actually interfering with my day to day life.
is something that I remember in my past and I would love to help someone else out because it sucks.
>>7835706
t. Catholic LARPer from /pol/
>>7835686
That book was a joke you got memed
>>7835686
Thus spoke Zarathustra, that book is all about fighting nihilism.
It worked for me because I was actually contemplating suicide and after reading the book I could give some meaning to my life.
>>7836816
FUCKING READ STIRNER THE WHOLE THING - YOU DONT GET THE IDEAS IF YOU HAVENT READ HIS FUCKING TEXT
>>7836823
This world was a joke
>>7836882
And I'll die laughing :)
>>7836874
This to be honest.
>>7836823
>a man's existential despair is mere entertainment to the frivolous female
Not surprised to be honest.
You need spiritual practice in your life nigga.
Take up meditation and let your life become pervaded by bliss.
>>7836874
Why though? What does he offer that Nietzsche doesn't? I've even heard that Nietzsche was thought to have plagiarized Stirner at one point.
I don't want to keep reading the same ideas because "oh you don't get it." Have you read all of Atlas Shrugged? Do you really think you need to to understand, or will reading Anthem suffice?
>>7836717
>The idea of God in your mind can be strong enough that you don't care if God is not real.
Thank you, this phrase made me realize how I was thinking about all this
>>7836717
I don't know, man. Crime and Punishment felt pretty godless to me. Like yeah, God could be real, but that didn't drive Raskolnikov to do what he did when he did it. If anything, his meetings with Sonia presented the idea that God was a nonfactor in his decisions.
>The idea of God in your mind can be strong enough that you don't care if God is not real.
Can the same not be said for the inverse?
>>7836957
>What does he offer that Nietzsche doesn't?
A clean and consistent critique of ideologies without trying to worm in his own new pseudo-religion that is no different than the last thing.
Stirner is stern, that alone makes him worth reading. No backpedaling or compromise or hiding behind aphorisms and Iranian memes.
>>7837068
>Crime and Punishment felt pretty godless to me.
>If anything, his meetings with Sonia presented the idea that God was a nonfactor in his decisions.
I agree with you that the book was Godless but that is exactly what I'm talking about. Sonia continues to do what shes feels is right with out any conformation of there being a God.
In her position lots of people could just sink into depression and apathy or selfishness and greed. It would have been easier for her to only care about herself and just try to survive.
If she did would people even blame her? Everyone would have probably understood and would not be angry at her for it. But she doesn't. She works hard to help out her father and his wive and her kids.
The compassion and selflessness comes from her belief in God.
Now what I'm saying is that in her doing these things she is making God real because he is influencing her mind and those ideas translate to real life acts of compassion.
The belief in God is what makes him real, not in the way that you can find (although that is not a possibility to be ruled out), but it the way that he can be a positive force in the world that causes good things to happen.
I think that is part of Dostoyevsky's genius. We see characters reacting and coping with their desperate situations in different ways. It is easy to maintain that there is a God when you and sitting in a megachurch with an SUV parked outside, but what happens when you life is in ruin?
>>The idea of God in your mind can be strong enough that you don't care if God is not real.
>Can the same not be said for the inverse?
Well yes of course. Maybe what I wrote above made it clearer; it is absolutely a choice. I would say I believe in God because of this, but previously I would have said I was an agnostic.
The effect God has on Sonia is something everyone can have if they want it. They chose to believe just for the sake of believing. You could even believe that there is no God "out there" if you like.
>>7835686
Wells, The Open Conspiracy
>>7835686
You need to understand that the idea that everything is meaningless is more reflective of the temperament of the subject than it is reflective of an actual fact. The same is true of people who believe life is beautiful. The character of the universe is that which the observer honestly ascribes it.
>>7835706
Back to /Pol/
>>7835937
Underrated post
>>7836568
Actually a good answer
>>7835686
Good question. I haven't read Keirkegaardian but I reckon that might work. I can second Dostoyevsky.
I'd recommend The Art of Loving by Fromm. I'm about to read On Becoming a Person by Carl Rogers, which I feel might also qualify.
Of Human Bondage is my favorite novel, should also help.
>>7835706
Life goals.
>>7835686
Sounds like you need a good dose of the following:
Plato
Aristotle
Plotinus
Augustine
Avicenna
Boethius
Anselm
Aquinas
These are the big players in finding meanining again, Anon. I recommend starting with Augustine's Confessions. Seriously. Give it a read, it'll change your life
>>7835706
Everyone, LAUGH AT HIM RIGHT NOW
>>7837548
>>>tumblr
>>7837523
As an atheist Augustine seems interesting. I imagine a world of people who actually take Christianity seriously to be cool. Like people wearing serious garb, helping people on the street, combating capitalism, fighting injustice. I'm not for the whole sexual perversion they disguise as goodness, but I can get behind an earnest pursuit of the good, even if it leads you to god, as long as it is tempered with reason and genuine goodwill to your fellow man.
>>7835686
Read The Stoics you little bitch
Letters from a Stoic then Epictetus' stuff
>>7837592
>but I can get behind an earnest pursuit of the good, even if it leads you to god, as long as it is tempered with reason and genuine goodwill to your fellow man.
Then Plato, Aristotle and Augustine are for you. That's what they're all about: virtue and benevolence
>>7837592
>combating capitalism
>Christian
wew lad
I don't believe in god and I'm pretty pessimistic but honestly op if you actually think about it Ligott's points there not all that convincing. Frankly Ligotti is the worst kind of nihilist, he blocks himself into a corner since the world is worthless even though he doesn't really understand much of the philosophy on this topic. He sees people's leaps of faith as utterly baseless yet he treats Zapffe essay (which is very good, don't get me wrong) as some kind of gospel among with any recent scientific text that confirms his beliefs. His understandings of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche are also really surface level, I think at some point he says he likes Schopenhauer's metaphysics since they liberally describe life. He also spends pages talking about how great H.P Lovercraft's philosophy is, which frankly I am not even going to touch.
Check out Nietzsche and Lev Shestov.
>>7837083
>aphorisms
Ummm his work is full of them, maybe you should actually read his book.
>>7838139
I have. You can cite some if you like.
Seriously? Shakespeare. He's all you need to rebuild a faith in humanism. He understood that life was nothing but sound and fury signifying nothing centuries ago but he thought himself out of it with sheer lust for life, even after his kid died.
Sincere question: does anyone here actually enjoy being alive?
And if so, why do you enjoy being alive?
Enjoy: the experience of living is a positive and beneficial one overall.
>>7835706
was that supposed to sound appealing
>>7838131
Nietzsche's philosophy is basically "just be urself for eternity bro! :)"
>>7835686
Think about things that do really matter to you. It might be sex, self expression, or just plain fun - try to go for something down to earth. If you can't do it on your own, find someone or a friend who can be an aid in this. Week or two of this and you will cleanse yourself from all that shit.
>>7839738
The joy of being alive includes all the kinds of enjoyment, be that reading, shitting, breezing, loving, eating, dreaming - you can't enjoy anything without being alive
>>7839738
I enjoy it when I live well, which for me means a simple life with very few obligations and a lot of self-discipline.
When I have too much nonsense forced upon me I'm generally too weak to keep up my good habits and become unhappy, so I still have a lot of practising to do.
>>7839738
At times. I live for the moments of pure beauty. I can find it in nature, literature, art or music.
I can go years without one of these moments; the memories of the past ones can keep me going.
Then I stubble across another one and am stunned. There is no meaning behind it and no use in it.
I just stand there in awe and feel overwhelmed by gratitude. Existence, with all it's faults, is worth putting up with just so that I can experience these prefect moments.
>>7839829
Share with us your last memory, Anon
>>7835745
>Why is God and his intentions and purpose for us a good thing?
Expect that is literally the opposite of what Plato/Socrates meant.
>>7839738
I think a lot of us are just in unhealthy environments to be completely honest with you.
My home is my sanctuary. I live in a yurt, two acres of land, three adopted labs, and I grow most of my own fruits and vegetables. I don't make a lot of money, most of it's from my drawings, but I'm very happy.
>>7840011
Sounds like you're living the Thoreauvian dream.
How much money do you need?
>>7840011
post drawings
>>7840049
About 8,000$ total. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but that's usually enough. I blow more than that on certain luxury goods, I tinker with my motorcycle, travel, etc.
>>7840139
That's a year, I presume?
I read the blog of this 'early retirement extreme' lad and he manages on 7k I think, pretty impressive.
How do you make money other than drawing? Also, what do you draw? Do you do rare furry porn or something?
>>7839738
Im very happy. I read a lot, go outside frequently, and have healthy relationships. That's all it's about. The pamphlets are right
>>7839748
Having a simple life full of happiness doesn't sound appealing to you?
>>7840168
You got it.
It’s a great investment if you can deal with the upfront costs. Solar, land, yurt, etc. All in all I’d say it ran me 50,000$ which is pretty cheap as far as not living for the weekend goes.
I compose music for indie games, do occasional IT work, and run a YouTube channel. My webcomic pulls some money in as well but that’s pretty hard to swing.
I have a few different venues for my art. Furry porn is one of them, another is making regalia themed oil paintings for people's pets (thanks Etsy!)
The truth is that furry porn pays really, really well. Like crazy well. If you're willing to draw weird niche shit you'll make a god damn fortune. Quirky etsy bullshit pays well too but I feel a lot less dirty drawing Bowser turning a pool table for some reason.
>>7840303
Who pays for the furry porn, exactly? Direct consumers?
>>7835706
>whiteness
>he still adheres to identity of any kind
Top Pleb
>>7840369
Bingo. You take commissions and that's pretty much all there is to it. Having some experience with social media is really helpful when it comes to that.
>>7840303
Could you tell more about the furry thing and how much it pays? Like an example of someone contacting you, how many pictures they ask for and what they offer for it?
Sounds fascinating.
>>7840652
Sure!
So there are a lot of different furry websites. You specify whether or not you're open to commissions, and you lay down an estimate on what you'll draw and what the price is.
Colored in, not colored in, badge, character, scenery, etc. That's usually done per image. Sometimes it's erotica, sometimes it isn't, but usually the more fetishy it is the less they'll expect in terms of quality artwork (and so the more they'll be willing to pay).
I'll usually offer a discount if it's a series of images or if they're repeat customers since it gives me a little more of an edge on the competition.
>>7839738
I'd probably have killed myself by now if there were no anime.
>>7835686
There's no book; you have to graduate high-school.
>>7840719
Pretty absurd/wonderful how your wholesome country life is financed by online degeneracy.
Emperor Aurelius' Meditations
Literally butthurt loser: the book. I used to understand his perspective, then I made my first million and for the first time did blow out of a hooker's asshole.
>>7835730
>Why is nihilism a bad thing?
If you have a belief system or a life philosophy that is making you miserable and less effective at life then how is that not a bad thing?
>>7842749
>being miserable and less effective at life is a bad thing
[citation needed]
>>7842751
If it wasn't then you wouldn't be suicidal
There is no hope for you, OP.
I read that book and it was the biggest pile of shit I've ever read. I've heard that his short stories are much better. But jesus, you became a nihilist because of"The Conspiracy Against the Human Race" by Ligotti? Christ dude, seek help for your shit taste in books.
>>7842773
Why did you think it was bad? I thought it was alright apart from the section about 'horror' being the only true reality, which I thought was a bit ridiculous and unfounded.
He's not saying much of anything original but it's an ok, if not rigorous, explanation of basic nihilism.
>>7839829
mein gott the unexamined spooks of some ppl
>>7842764
>being suicidal is a bad thing
[citation needed]
