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Doomer Nihilists are the most frustrating people to deal with (self.offmychest)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by GardenVarietyAnxiety to c/[email protected]

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[Edited title and body to change Selfish to Doomer]

These Doomer Nihilists are so sure the world is so completely fucked, that they just nope out of any meaningful action that might mitigate what's coming.

Hell, they might be right. But it takes an incredibly selfish person to assume their idea of the future is absolute, to the point you just go "If I'm doomed, I'll just let it burn with everyone inside."

I've been called naive, idealistic and cliche just because I believe in the Human capacity to adapt and thrive, and our unique ability as Humans to choose what we believe. How a positive mindset will -literally- move us in a positve direction, generally speaking.

And I admit, I am verying degrees of those things... But am I wrong?

Humans became... And we're still becoming, a collective organism as the internet spreads. It's far from perfect, but it keeps us all connected in one way or another. That gives each and every one of us a little push and tug on the whole.

Unless you are truly isolated in your life, and my heart breaks for those who are, your positivity matters. Your negativity matters. These things spread to anyone who interacts with you, whether it's the slightest bit or enough to get someone to see another perspective. It spreads and it matters.

I just feel like... if more people were a little more naive and idealistic, but informed, we might not be so fucked.

Face it like a Human.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I feel like this depressive kind of nihilism happens as a reaction to most of our culture being spun around higher meanings.
Whether that's religion, spirituality, some ridiculous Hollywood love story or pseudo-scientific universe theories.

Growing up in this context, many will discover that each of these higher meanings don't apply to them, because they don't believe in gods or spirituality, they don't have a Hollywood love story and those universe theories don't click with them either.
The obvious conclusion is depression. It appears to be required to have a higher meaning to lead a 'meaningful' life and you don't have one.

It's one hell of another mental leap to recognize that:

those universe theories are pseudo-scientific bullshit.
no one has Hollywood love stories.
not believing in gods or spirituality also necessarily means you believe everyone else made them up. Which is a discouraged thought, due to tolerance, but needed here.

Equipped with all that, you're able to realize that no one has a higher meaning. It is not required. Nothing matters, but this fact does not either matter. And then you're free to choose your own non-depressive adventure.

[–] GardenVarietyAnxiety 1 points 7 months ago

I think this is very well said.

However, I'd add that if you take into account the human mechanisms for spirituality and religion, its less that they were simply "made up" and more of a natrual stepping stone on the path to understanding

[–] mojofrododojo 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'm trying to be a nice, chill, helpful nihilist. I volunteer, I go out of my way to help.... and it's all just a front for the certainty that we can't 'stop at 1.5c' because that opportunity is long gone. my kid might get our stuff, but lot of good it'll do them in a world on fire. I keep it to myself as much as possible and try to project kindness and calm.

I think this is the preferable alternative to becoming convinced there were few / no downsides to me acting on my beliefs and potentially lashing out at the fossil fuel lobby, the rich, hypocrite politicians etc. so. And I'm certain I'm not alone there.

[–] GardenVarietyAnxiety 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

I edited my title and post slightly to clarify my thoughts. I know your type exists, but I feel like I can safely assume that it's not the standard.

I don't agree with your outlook, but I respect the hell out of you for not being selfish about it.

[–] mojofrododojo 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'm trying really hard to not let my kid and spouse down, they deserve better but.... Also I wonder how much of nihilism is self defense - hope exhaustion - but the voice in the back of my head says it's simply grappling with the reality it's presented.

Good luck to you and yours, we're all going to need it.

[–] GardenVarietyAnxiety 1 points 7 months ago

Good luck to you and yours, we're all going to need it.

Thanks, I appreciate it. And you too.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Is anyone forcing you to interact with them? Whenever I don't agree with a certain mindset, or individual, I say my goodbyes and get on with my life. Online, I tend to block people rather quickly these days. Ain't got time for that.

[–] GardenVarietyAnxiety 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

This is 100% true, but by my logic they are making our shared reality objectively worse. If I didn't even try to engage, this post would be hypocritical.

If I can shift one person's perspective, it will grow.

I try not to block anyone ever. There is something to learn from every interaction, and I'm an armchair Sociologist, so I like to try to understand why people do what they do.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

You do yours. My time is too precious to waste it on arguments.