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Comments as of 1-19-2014


 

Hello,
I recently stumbled upon your website about Nihilism, and had a few questions about your belief system.
As you believe that morals do not exist, how do you view murder, rape, incest, etc...? 
Do you condone them, as society (which was developed by morals) is what determines these acts to be wrong? 
Would you be mad if someone killed your sister, your boyfriend, etc... Or would you just be passive, as morals are what defines what is right and wrong. Is it wrong to steal, cheat on your spouse, etc... Or should the whole world be left in anarchy, where anyone can do as he or she pleases?
Please do explain this to me. I am very curious as to what you have to say on this, since you guys claim to believe in nothing but the power of the human mind
Sincerely,
a genuinely confused student 

 

Comments as of 12-29-2003


 

http://www.cold-me.ne

Thank you

 


 

I have enjoyed your site quite a bit.  While I wouldn't call myself a nihilist, I agree with a lot of what you have to say.

At the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, it says about nihilism, "A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy."   I don't want to speak for you, but I am bothered by the fact is says a nihilist would have an impulse to destroy, and I wonder if it is a false statement concerning nihilism.  I am curious as to what your opinion is on this statement.

Thanks.

 


 

hello yes, my name is estevan carlos benson and i'd like to join your pleasant consortium of directionless bandits.  can i do the existential nihilism or do i have to be initiated into that?  do we get cards and jackets?

 


 

hello

my name is daniel chairez. I have seen your nihilist party website before, and I remember having an announcement for suggestions for 2004. i don't currently have any suggestions, however if there's anything i could assist in i would be glad to help.

thanks.

 


 

I think that you guys contradict yourselves and are a bunch of nut jobs

 


 

uh, nice website, but...

When you mentioned Freud in your reading list, you failed to mention the man who Freud based ALL of his ideas of psychology off of:  NIETZSCHE!  Seriously, read Nietzsche's works and what he had to say about psychology, and you'll realize that Nietzsche was the founder of the modern approach to psychology.  Freud just used science to explain what Nietzsche said.

Also, the universe is neither chaotic nor orderly.  And it (and you) does exist.  This may seem un-nihilistic, but really, if you do not except your own existence, then, well, WTF?  I'll try to email you a more sensible argument, but, as you do not believe anything can be proven (neither do I, I simply accept that things can be proven, because without logic, science and truth, or untruth, could not exist) I am unsure how "rational" my logic will seem.  

Discord.

One must make oneself superior to humanity, in power, in loftiness of soul,-- in contempt.

-Nietzsche

 


 

Maybe you'll get more votes if you compare yourself to Bush in this?

http://www.bushflash.com/pl_lo.html

I know --I-- would support you all the way compared to anyone US has voted for in the past.

Unfortunately, I'm Canadian. But I think explosives is a form of democracy (just as it is for tyranny) :)


 

great! look at: www.nihilists.cz

:)

mp

 


 

Carson Daily is so gay he makes Ru Paul 100% women!!!!!!!!!

 


 

Hello,

I'm a time traveler stuck here in 2003. Upon arriving here my dimensional warp generator stopped working. I trusted a company here by the name of LLC Lasers to repair my Generation 3 52 4350A watch unit, and they fled on me. I am going to need a new DWG unit,  preferably the rechargeable AMD wrist watch model with the GRC79 induction motor, four I80200 warp stabilizers, 512GB of SRAM and the menu driven GUI with front panel XID display.

I will take whatever model you have in stock, as long as its received certification for being safe on carbon based life forms.

In terms of payment:

I dont have any Galactic Credits left. Payment can be made in platinum, gold or 2003 currency upon safe delivery of unit.

Please transport unit in either a brown paper bag or box to below coordinates on Monday August 4th at (exactly 3:00pm) Eastern Standard Time on the dot. A few minutes prior will be ok, but it cannot be after. If you miss this timeframe please email me.

Latitude N 42.47935 & Longitude W 071.17355 and the Elevation is 119.  

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRANSPORT ITEM BY REGULAR MEANS OF TELEPORTATION. THEY ARE MONITORING AND WILL REDIRECT THE SIGNAL!!

I DO NOT CARE HOW YOU HAVE TO GET IT HERE, JUST DO IT IN A WAY THAT NO SPYING EYES WILL POSSIBLY BE ABLE TO REDIRECT OR DEFLECT THE TRANSFERENCE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU BE ABLE TO MONITOR THE TRANSFER.

Although those coordinates are a secure guarded area, these channels through email are never secure. Unfortunately it is the only form of communication I have right now.

After unit has been sent, please reply to me here with payment instructions.

Thank You

 


 

Do you realize that you can be the next governor of california? you only need like 6% of the vote. I won't bankroll you, but I will vote for you

 


 

Dear Elisha,

For your election campaign, you could use the slogan, "You'd believe in

anything. We don't". Or "The examined life is not worth mentioning."

Carl

 


 

check out www.nihilistics.com

 


 

If you believe there is not a GOD, then why do you refuse to type out the whole word?  Anyone can claim or refuse to believe.  There has been, is and will be people who know that they know, beyond a shadow of doubt that there is a GOD of creation, and he sent his SON JESUS.  When you are on your death bed, I hope you have time to call on JESUS.  HE IS RISEN!  Anyone not presenting JESUS as GOD of love and forgiveness is presenting a false christ.

 


 

whats the definition of nihilist?

 


 

Hey,

       Do you think nihilism precludes having a belief system and goals? I wouldn't think so, knowing that these things are based on preference, the brains interpretation of the world and the chaos that makes up our lives seems good enough to me. I have a strong moral code, though I will use it until I find something better, as I refuse to believe absolutely in anything.

       I guess you could say that the only thing I really "believe" in is that nothing is certain, and the only consistency is change. Anyway, I just recently discovered nihilism although I have been an agnostic for years. Actually I suppose you could say, I've a nihilist for a long time. I just didn't know what it was called. Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Luke

 


 

(dude, don't answer me back) umm..i see where you're coming from. i'm more of an anarchist than a nihilist though because even though the world is pretty messed up and we're all going to blow each other up some day, i'd like to see a world where people were actively trying to make things better. +sigh+ oh well.  it might seem pointless, but as you were  saying earlier, it makes me happy to have something to do with my time. the same reason you're running this page. just a thought.

-daemonspoken

 


 

I like to look at things in terms of their survival advantage. For example, when practicing altruism, one benefits as many people as they can. As such, more people like the idea, and so it spreads, and spreads, and spreads. Altruism became what it is today because it had the survival advantage.

Unfortunately, the idea of mimetic evolution seems to contradict your idea that we humans consciously choose our morals based on our needs. I guess you nihilists assumed, like most people today, that we are free-thinkers, not bounded to an evolution like our four- and six-legged counterparts?

Also, there's this certain problem I have with assuming that purpose and relevance is non-existent. Its never going to be right. Why you ask? Even if you WERE right, it wouldn't matter in a meaningless existence, where all answers are equally right and wrong. Your answer is extraneous.

Which brings me to my conclusion. As a devout mimeticist, I have foreseen beforehand that the nihilistic meme does not have the survival advantage to spread like altruism did. Nihilism has no incentive to survive. Look at Christianity. who wouldn't  immediately accept a dogma that promised eternal salvation should you follow it, and eternal incineration should you not? Any belief in which we pretend we don't exist, and deny what we aren't warranted to deny, just doesn't seem like something that'll catch on.

Cheers,

-xeu

 


 

Hail! Your website is very enjoyable, and I just discovered it.  We are a Nihilist/Solipsist band from Chicago http://www.kalkisarmy.com.  We would be delighted to be linked from your site, and would return the favor.  Danke!

Our Legions Sail Onward!

b9 InViD

Luftwaffe: http://www.kalkisarmy.com

Schauspieler: http://www.geocities.com/benjamincapps

 


 

im doing a research paper on nihilism in school, and i was wondering if you had any info on it that i could use to make my research paper better.

                                                   thank you,

                                                          Charlie Tucker

 


 

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency, a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall. Speak what you think now in hard words, and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said to-day. - 'Ah, so you shall be sure to be misunderstood.' - Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? ... To be great is to be misunderstood

Ralph Waldo Emerson

You have censored the quote, at least put in 'foolish'

 


 

all the doctrine and tradition

stripped away reveals

either dust and vanity

or love and grace that heals...

Jay S.

San Francisco

 


 

Hello there,

I recently stumbled across your website, and it is really very interesting.

Thanks.

Leo Phillips

 


 

Nihilism is an intriguing subject which i enjoy reading about.

 


 

  hey! im mark , im from the philippines, a country in south east asia. if you dont mind, you can always link this e-group  to your website, just for a laughs.  i think we have something in common, and that is the interest and the practice of the void that is - nihilism.   I am an activist, and people have a bad impression when i use the term anarcho-nihilist when they ask me of my ideology in life .. i would like to interview you sometime, i dont think my questions will bore you,.. coming from the same perception and somewhat trivial existence.  i think you have outdone yourself !

anyway heres the link:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/anarchistpunk-nihilistzine_oathmeal/  

in the ashes and ruins,\

mark

 


 

Hello,

I'm writing an essay on the positiveness of Nihilism, and I want to get my information correct, but everywhere I look, I can't find any information on Nihilists in the areas I'm researching. Can you please help me? Now I realize you probably don't care at all, but for the word of Nihilism to get out, I need your help;  If you don't want to answer my questions, that's fine, but at least give some references I can research for the information

I'm writting on how the world of a Nihilist affects how they use money, how they treat the opposite sex;, how they treat their families, the history of a Nihilist, how they react to sexuality, how technology and education affect a Nihilists way of life and whats a Nihilists sanctity of life. Again I realize that you probably don't care, but I need your help.

Thank you very much

Sincerely,

Amber King

 


 

Um, OK, If you, no, I mean me,  OK, If I (or you) or someone (anyone, I guess) doesn't/didn't understand everything they - I mean you (or anybody not him) said (or wrote) - like on the whatsa nihi list page - um, would that mean, do you think, they're (he'r she'r) like, um, dumm ??  I am only axin cause I write word puzzles and have to clue "nihilist" and now, after reading your swell website, I think I will use "Page offering condos on Uahu" or whatever it is - that Hawian island where rich white kids hang out.  They call the condos nihi something-or-other and, you know, list.  Git it ?   

-your best friend, Earl

 


 

http://www.brightoncore.com

New Nihilist Militia formed to take over Iraq and turn it into a new Nihilist State.

 


 

Could a nihilist pretend to have a belief just to make things easier for themselves and happy? Doesn't rejecting all belief systems and value systems make people afraid of what you are saying and say mean spirited things about you which pisses you off and makes you less happy? Do you just tolerate this to achieve your ultimate goal of getting everyone to reject belief systems and value systems?

 


 

 i'm at work on the internet, but they don't want us to be, so i don't have access to e mail and figured i would fire the following garbage at anyone who thinks they can "accurately represent" nihilism.

first, i don't consider myself a nihilist. i do find it interesting and can relate to it on different levels. i believe that dreams are as important as being awake, if not more. i think that things exist if you believe them to, and i think that nature does not have a pattern, etc.

here goes.

do you feel emotiuons? you say that pursue what makes you happy, and of course, you can't be happy all the time. does sadness or loneliness, or longing, or love play a part in your life?

you said you don't believe in love, and you said that you hate spirituality in there somewhere. is that to say that you can hate someone without believing in hate, or did you not mean it?

I think pain is mental. That if you shut it out, don't acknowledge it, it is not there. Everyone has probably met someone or perhaps themselves have not known they were bleeding until they looked down at their gash or whatever and saw that they were bleeding, THEN felt pain. This happened to me as a child when I dislocated my thumb at one point as well as breaking my wrist. But if you were to poke yourself with a pin periodically, do you think you would not feel consistent pain on various levels?

I went through a period of time where I was emotionally indifferent while at the same time, far from depressed. I still have a hard time understanding consistent apathy because it does not allow people to have fun. Do you consider yourself apathetic, and if so, can you still have "fun"?

I've read the part on the website where killing is talked about, but wouldnt it be fun to kill someone? The only reason I havent killed people is because I dont want to see through the eyes of this shell that is my body while in a prison cell. I DON'T KILL PEOPLE BECAUSE OF FEAR OF GOING TO JAIL. Do you believe that fear is real? If you had a desire to do so, would you? And, if so, if you got caught, how do you think you might react?

How do you make a living? How have you found that many nihilists make a living? Is there some kind of source of income that allows the inconsistent to show up in their underwear if it pleases them? They can't all be writers and artists. If someone considered themselves a devoted vegetarian while at the same time considering themselves a nihilist, is that possible or do they possess a moral, value, or ideal about eating meat or not, which would disqualify them from being an actual nihilist?

What do you think about liars? I dont care about anyone telling a lie, but isnt it annoying when people try to boost their ego at your expense, and talk about things theyve done that they havent really done?

How do you feel about anarchy (the kind that relies on morals)? Whats your favorite Residents album? Mine's "third reich-n-roll".

Are there any bands that you think accurately portray nihilism?

Suggestions:

Bake sale/ cooking/ gourmet nihilism

Nihilism rituals

Design nihilism fooseball

thanks,

mister fuckhead

"i've always been crazy, but it keeps me from goin insane"-waylon jennings

hope to hear your response.

 


 

i'm looking for footage of buildings imploding, preferably castles, but drawing a blank, can someone help me?

 


Hi, we play rock music in Italy, and we often have a nihilist way of writing our lyrics, because we can be against all, without difference! Are you interested in receiving something about us? However I must tell you that we sing in Italian in our Cd...but I could try to make a translation!

Excuse me for my English!

Free mind 4 a living life; chained mind 4 a dying life!

Flavio - BRUTTI E IMPOSSIBILI (Uglies and Impossibles)

 


 

I am wanting to know from a nihilist if The Illuminatus Trilogy would be considered nihilism literature.  The book is written by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson.  

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.

Trisha Dodson

 


 

You quote Emerson in one of your answers on the FAQ page.  "Ralph Waldo Emerson observed that, 'Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.' (What ever a hobgoblin is.)"

The actual quote is:  "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."  It's from his essay "Self-reliance" and must be looked at in the larger context of what he was saying.

From an article I found:  "Emerson's intention is clearly to argue that a desire for "consistency" (by which he means continual adherence to one's previously stated views for the purpose of maintaining our predictability in the eyes of others) is a silly reason never to change one's mind."

You might find this interesting:

http://home.att.net/~sandgryan/essays_on_objectivism/other_aspects/emerson.html

 


 

My name is Kyle.  I'm 16, I live in California.  Though it did not necessarily surface from my limited experimentation with drugs, I've spent much of the last year contemplating the meaning of it all; asking myself why we are here...all that nonsense.  Though my philosophies have changed over the years, I've been in my current state of thought for awhile.

 From all that I can tell, the laws of science are absolute and unchanging.  That is what I feel is my only certainty.  We, the human race, do not know or understand all of these laws, but they are present whether we acknowledge their existence or not.  I then made the jump and said that since the brain is really nothing more than a bunch of organic compounds, molecules of matter and waves of electricity, then the gunk in my head is just as governed by the laws of science as the apple falling from the tree, though a tad more complex.  If the laws of chemistry are absolute, then all matter in the universe must interact in the same manner.  If the laws of physics are absolute, then the manner in which everything moves is absolute, and if precisely measured can be precisely predicted.  Therefore, the fate of the universe, so i thought, was precisely predicted.  Though our actions do not go against our wishes, they are nonetheless out of what we think is control and into the hands of the laws of science.

I found a name for this philosophy: determinism.  I realized that this conclusion did not give me an answer of whether or not there was a supreme being.  God could have very well been the one to set up the intricate arrangement of dominoes, pushed the first one over, sat back and watched.  What did I care though, my thoughts were not really my own, I was supposed to think them.  Then I heard about quantum theory, and that both physical and chemical reactions may be a matter of probability, not of certainty.  So as of right now I feel back in the dark in my theories.

 haven't rambled on to long already, I have one question.

- When asked in your F.A.Q. if you believed that you exist, you said no.  What did you mean?

Obviously you have consciousness.  This you cannot deny.  I think your answer, from my understanding, was just as childish as the person who said "You believe in nihilism, that's one thing!!"

 


 

I am doing a paper for English, and I have to define nihilism and name three nihilists.  Can you please give me the names of three nihilists?  I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you

 


 

hey! are you there?

my name's Kris. Let me know if youre still in this address, we nihilists are not many, so we should every opportunity we have to meet and keep in contact.

Kris

 


 

Anarchists belong neither to the left nor the right. we are just uncompromisingly anti-authoritarian. Anarchy refuses  all ideology. We criticize all religion, all spiritualism, all moralism, all political ideology. We refuse to bow before the altars of "God" or the nation-state. We spit on nationalism, militarism, racism and hierarchy.  Nothing is sacred, least of all anarchism. Anarchy means freedom from the constrains of our own human self-domestication

La obediencia a una persona, institucin o poder  obediencia heternoma  es sometimiento; implica el renunciar a mi autonomia y a la aceptacin de una voluntad o juicio ajenos en lugar del mio. La obediencia a mi propia razn o conviccin  (obediencia autnoma) no es un acto de sumisin sino de afirmacin." tomado del libro -Sobre la desobediencia y otros ensayos- del psicoanalista

Erich Fromm

 


 

Comments as of 11-04-2002

 


I just wanted to add a comment about your description of Nihilism. It is not a beleif, Nihilism comes from within, it is an internal realisation, not something which comes from an exterior source that you beleive in. Nihilism is the realisation that religion, and indeed modern society, revells in manipulating you into thinking how they think, controlling what you think and feel etc....opressiing free thought and action. Personally, I beleive we all exsist (otherwise why would I be writing this?), and I'm not sure how that came into this argument - the theories that were expressed in the movie 'The Matrix' do not have much to do with Nihilism. For a wonderful explanation into what Nihilism actually is, go to Freydis' site at www.geocities.com/liudegast/nihilism.html. 'Beleif in nothing' is a completely wrong, misleading description into what Nihilism is. The fucking dictionary cannot provide any sort of insight close to what Nihilism actually is. I hope you add this to your website to explain to the stupid, delusional masses that Nihilism is not what they think it is, and I hope that if you do, this email will be somewhat enlightening to them.


As for the issue of feelings, the more you express, the better you are than the rest of the normal population. If you can do something violent, or love someone, or run around naked in a public forum, then you’re stronger than anyone else because you are a Nihilist and don't let anyone else’s, let alone society’s, opinions and obligations control what you do and feel.

And finally, on a last note, Nihilism  is not about trying to convert people like fucking 7th Day Adventists who go door knocking coz the only person who turns up at church is old Mrs Beale who’s gone there for the last 15 years, if someone has a different opinion to you, and they can state it in objective terms, logically and reasonably, then good for them, they're expressing themselves freely and they deserve to do so.

Thanks for your time


Has it ever occurred to you that maybe some people believe in G-d not just to make them happy, but because they and their ancestors and nation have witnessed G-d himself? I know this for a fact. I believe that I am not the person who puts pointless restrictions on myself just to suit my needs, but you are that one – you happily decide that nothing has a purpose and there was no one who had any plan or design to the world you live in. So you concentrate on yourself. Only yourself. You are your own god in the center of your own universe. Anything that you cannot see or fathom does not exist to you, and has no factor in your everyday life. This sounds pretty ignorant to me. Also, how can you possibly say the world was an accident? It is as if you saw an empty bottle of ink beside a beautiful, detailed, exquisite work of art, would you believe that it spilled on accident? I personally don’t believe your webpage appeared on accident, some megabites in the computer randomly formed your absurd naked figure and your gay careless words of I can do whatever I want ‘cause it doesn’t even matter. Have you had some sort of trauma in your life that made you lose all hope of humanity? If you think following your instincts and thinking only of making yourself happy, for no one’s sake but your own, you really need to think out your actions and thoughts and try and understand that there is something greater than you, and YOU are not all encompassing – that you are not the only thing that matters.


I think I am a nihist but would that mean I believe I am. I know things happen around, and I am very self-destructive. if it’s right, it’s right, but if it’s wrong, I will kick it ‘till it brakes. that's come out wrong. I will have to think about it. love, peace and happiness colin


i can't believe you can say there is no god! God created you. "you can’t play the game of life without the rules of god."


Hey,

I was wondering if you've ever read the book, "The Dice Man" by Luke Rhineheart.  If you have, what do you think of it, as far as its central philosophies, themes and its implications in general?

If you haven't read it (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0879518642/qid=1033328707/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-2096129-5263063?v=glance&n=507846#product-details),

of course, I highly recommend it.  ist gut stuff.

Blahdios,~Jas


To the person studying Nihilism and Existentialism, asking about the difference: If you were serious about either, you would drop out of school and spend your time on more productive pursuits, like watching old Roadrunner cartoons or downloading pornography from the internet.

- Jim Stiene

99.999 percent of the universe is filled with empty space.


I am the author of www.justthinking.com. An online novel exploring life as a convinced nihilist. I am still working on the novel and i am always looking for feedback. Any chance of a link?

www.JustThinkingAloud.com

Thanks

Rambler


You and people in general, have a misconception as to what nihilism is exactly and I believe that this is giving rise to many of the arguments I see on your website. Nihilism isn't a belief in nothing. This would mean that you believe in nothingness.

This defies logic (which nihilism is based on) because you can't believe in an undefined because you can't do anything to/in an absence. Nihilism is also not not-believing in anything (in fact if you wrote this sentence so that it was grammatically correct, you would define nihilism, but that will be explained eventually). Nihilism is rather a logical conclusion coming from the fact that the only way to obtain value is by arbitrary resolution. The only way to obtain a base value is to randomly adopt one. Because of this nothing we do matters. Because of this there is no reason to accept facts as facts. The problem with nihilism is that it suggests nothing to do with our lives. Nietschze said that the only thing to do was to discover the superman, or one that can logically attribute value to what he does. He said that this man would be as different from man as man is from the ape. He tried to find out what the superman was and went crazy in the attempt. I see two problems with this, the first of two suggestions as to what to do with our lives, assuming nihilism. First, we have actually evolved out of the state in which we attribute value to what we do (monkeys seem to think there is a purpose to there lives) and to begin to attribute value to what we do again we actually be regression. In this case nihilism is just a given and the point of philosophy is to argue which philosophy is the best under certain random valueless values. Basically its mental masturbation, but if nothing matters and therefore what you do with you're time doesn't matter, I guess masturbation is as good as anything. (I know that's what I do with my free time) Second, in the case that we will evolve enough to attribute value to our lives what shall we do in the meantime while we change? There is only one thing that we must do. It is to live. Society and people must live if we intend to be able to attribute value to our lives in the future. It is through this that we get value, specifically the value of life. Therefore any philosophical system that claims human life as its base value must be debated, and the one that seems most likely to support human life must be accepted. Many philosophies claim this value such as socialism and Karl Marx and objectivism and Ayn Rand (to whom I am partial to because I'm reading her book, however I don't believe everything she says) to religion and J.C. himself (Jesus Christ). Ironically one doctrine that doesn't support the logic of nihilism is that of the supposed nihilists.

The second thing that nihilists have suggested to do with our lives is to "test" out certain philosophies and see if they actually have values that are logically based. This idea, which was presented by Heidegger (he's the nihilist nazist that everyone seems to think is Hitler), has a few main problems. It's uncertain: what it basically says is the world is valueless, but keep doing stuff because maybe I'm wrong. This seems rather asinine to me. Why did he even say anything in the first place if he was just going to go back and say keep doing what you're doing because maybe I'm wrong. The second problem is that assuming that you know that nihilism is true, nothing within the human capacity is going to be able to attribute a definite value through reason. Therefore the nihilist who knows nihilism to be true has no reason to explore other possibilities. At this point what does he do? He keeps living his life like he would have otherwise; again nihilism regresses back to a given and philosophy becomes mental masturbation yet again. The third problem to this solution is that what happens if you chose the opposite of the elusive logical value, is this not worse then not adopting any values at all? At this point you also continue to live you life as you would have otherwise and you don't even pretend to be looking for the logical-value.

( I wrote in the beginning that the grammatically correct form of "Nihilism is also not not-believing in anything" actually defines nihilism. The grammatically correct form is Nihilism is believing in anything this is so because a true nihilist believes in anything until he finds the one belief that has a logical value)


Hey there.. I just sort of stumbled across your page.. I heard the term Nihilist thrown around a bit and I knew I learned some about it in school and I just kinda wanted to broaden my knowledge on the subject. I must say, I like your web page.. I found it to be rather informative.. Now I didn't whollistically agree or disagree with it (if you care for the input), but I did enjoy reading through it. I have bookmarked it. I do have one question though. Do you have a significant other? (and/or) How do you (and/or other nihilists) view relationships? I couldn't figure out if it was coupled with the familiy view.  but I found that hard to swallow that it would be the same as family.. Anyways, I shall be visiting your page more.. and I very well may have more questions in the future. Thank you for your time. I appreciate the effort on the webpage.

-Jason Khano

 


hello, my name`s paul, i have a Q. re BELIEF;

in your faq setion you said that people choose to believe in god because it makes them happy, and you choose not to for the same reason ; my Q. is about the "choose" part;

do we actually "choose" our beliefs?

or; do our beliefs simply come into existence?

avoiding the metaphysics of self / i / free will, determinism / etc for the moment , i believe that we don`t choose to believe - or not to believe - in god`s existence [or in anything for that matter].  my guess is that we have no direct* control over our beliefs. so if someone believes in god, they couldn`t choose not to believe. and if someone doesn`t believe in god, they couldn`t choose to believe.

this isn`t to say their beliefs can`t change - but i believe these changes wouldn`t be the result of a choice; they would be the result of new experiences eg; the presentation of new evidence / 'gut feelings' / religious or mystical experience [ or at least an experience that someone might put down to the religious / mystical ]

* re 'direct' ; where we do have control over our beliefs, i believe, is in what we choose to read ; who we choose to spend time with ; what we choose to discuss etc etc [ this assumes some degree of free will whicw is something i`m far from convinced about, but am prepared to assume for the sake of discussion ]

the above choices are made, i believe, based on what we WANT to believe, eg ; someone who wants to believe in god might choose to read the bible or the koran and spend a lot of time around like-minded people. and although this isn`t 'choosing' to believe in god, it could help in the formation of that belief  [or the encouragement of an existing belief].

like - wise for someone who doesn`t want to believe; they might choose to read secular writings, and spend a lot of time with non - religiuos people. again this isn`t 'choosing' to believe in the non -existence of god, but it might help with the formation of such a belief [ or the encouragement of an existing one ]

i have to go - will finish this later

paul


What is your take on satanism, i.e., Anton Lavey, the Satanic Bible, that good stuff? How do you think it relates, if at all to nihilism? What do you agree and disagree with  about it?


I hope that you reply to this, I am a 21 year old from Milwaukee WI.  I have felt for many years that I have had a tendency towards nihilistic thoughts and ideas even before I knew about them (unless of course that the ideas are so prevalent in culture that I just compiled them over time).  But when I went to college, I had a sinking feeling.  I didn't know why I was going there and even though people pushed me to be a doctor, I was just 'going through the motions'.  I started going to raves and using drugs because  I didn't care about anything or anyone except my own happiness.  But what I wonder now is I still have this sinking feeling.  It pushes me to do things like spend all my money and stupid things, just to break them, hang out with crack addicts for shits and giggles, and be a general antisocial person.  I have recently started to get in trouble with the law and I don't even care.

This is causing great distress to my family and friends, but I can't relate to them, because they don't know what I feel or look at what I am doing as foolish.  I wanted to know if you had an literature or websites I could visit that could perhaps try to share a minuscule amount or experiences shared by other nihilists......

Ryan


Why aren't you guys dead yet?


having no point in writing this I write....you portray a humble nihilist. I too am nihilist after such a short span of years in thought. Up until march 2002 I thought I was alone in thinking there was no right and wrong. Now after obbsession with nietsche’s writings (still in progress) I maintain a quiet nihilist mind.

I now await 2 years solitude where i may after a time be able to think clearly without society steering. Solitude may however steer me neither deeper or higher into nihilism because they do not exist. nihilism is just nihilism.


I'm a nihilist. I applaud this site. The critics can sit and spin, or stick their head up Jupiter's ass. I am writing to comment on something said in comments by another commentator. They argued that yes, the universe is Chaos, but from a higher perspective Order can be had. Order does come out of Chaos and this can be shown scientifically to happen time and time again.

For example: In studies on Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, or storm, and the weather patterns, a mock set up of what must cause this Spot to occur was reconstructed in the lab. Well, when the Chaotic forces of the winds got really going...a massive spot began to come out of the Chaos, an order began to form in the midst of the tumultuous forces. They are linked. Order comes from Chaos, or Turbulent forces that give rise to an orderly, organized, compacted spot of coalesced and cohesive binding...or order....

Order forms from Chaos. You can't have life without death.

Regards,  Jeffrey Q.


By the by, I picked up a really interesting book today, called "Dictionary  of Theories" by Jennifer Bothamley.  It's just what the title says.  I just started it, but it has stuff like atomism, absense paradox, that sort of thing.  A good read.  I recommend it.

Toodles,

Sydney


Wouldn't it be more accurate to describe yourself as a existentialist?


There is something extremely wrong with every single person in this world. They seem to be part of a pointless simulation.

"The Matrix" has portrayed this idea somewhat, yet we watch it and go back to our daily lives.  Yet in this very life, underneath the seeming diversity in people's opinions, values, talents, and interests, there is something that makes everyone the same.  It is as though this planet is populated only by mindless fakes, objects that provide the appearance of intellect on the surface but are based on only mechanical reflexes and primitive thought patterns.

I don't really care if anything I say has been said before, if it was portrayed in movies, in books, or in the lyrics of some useless song. With 6 billion people covering the globe at any given time, thousands and thousands of years of written literature, probability dictates almost any combination of words has occurred numerous times. Yet there is clear evidence there was no action, so those words, just like the people who spoke them, must have been just more fakes. I am forced to use this language (also created by the fakes) because there is no alternative, so everything I write here could be misunderstood to make me sound like one of them, but it will be the action that I take and the dedication that will separate me from them.

In my estimation the fakes that occupy this planet don't make up 99%, but more like 99.9999999% of the  population. I know this because I've searched, and in my search have so far only found one true ally (I have found him via the internet as well). But even with those numbers we would not give up because there is no logic in giving up.

The people on this planet are all fakes because thesocieties have made them this way. Ideas that populate people's minds have no logic or purpose. Concepts such as religion, god, morality, individualism, freedom, identity, happiness, love and billions of others are all just memes. Like parasites they infect the minds and spread from one person to the next. They have no point or purpose; they exist without any logical basis or foundation. The fakes are completely controlled by them, and they will never see beyond them. To not be controlled by them one must do more than just realize that they exist. One must resist any ideas that have no point, endlessly question, and never accept imperfection or compromise in any answer.

We (myself and my ally) are different though. While we have had the limitation of existing only in these societies, something has made it possible for us to resist being indoctrinated into becoming one of those fakes. We have no arbitrary wants, needs, desires, or preferences.

If this world continues to exist the way it is then nothing in it will ever have a point. It will always be just a product of random evolution, one with no importance or relevance. The only logical goal is to dedicate our lives to increasing our numbers, those that aren't fakes, so that in thousands of years our numbers may be such that the fakes would no longer be a threat to progress.

Those that join us must see every other person occupying this planet as the enemy, and us as their only allies. Like us they must have dedication only to taking the most logical action, and to nothing else.

Ryan and Jacob


hey,

my website has material on nihilism, plus other unrelated stuff, so I'm not sure where you would want to put it.  Anyway it's at http://strangerbox.topcities.com/, please check it out.

Thanks

Amanda


The Hawaiian Revolution is just another amusing example of our poor understanding of U.S. Imperialism.


I can't claim to understand nihilism, but I've been reading and attempting to educate myself about what may be a positive, political type of nihilistic practice and belief.  The page I've frequented the most is http://www.counterorder.com/  

I think of the website as the most comprehensive center for understanding Nihilism.  As the sites author has noted, it's the Bible of Nihilism.  Now you may have already been there, may know all there is to know.  Maybe you refute that even nihilistic philosophy has any more meaning than existentialism or all the other 'isms that grew out of the last century; then again, maybe you'll like it!  If not, I guess you'll hate it.  Back to the point, it may be interesting discussion for this site’s members, you might learn something, you might help me learn something about it.  I plan to check this site thoroughly for furthering my counter-cultural, anti-established, intellectualistic, or is that (anti-intellectualistic) growth!  If my ignorance doesn't get in the way, and my schizoeffective-diseased brain doesn't frustrate me, I may just learn a thing or two about living 'against the grain'--as Bad Religion would state it.  

                                                    Herr Niemond

                                                    Mr. Nobody


Hi

Im brad

i have a stupid question, Can i keep my empathy to humanity and still be a nihilist, i dont like to see human or any kind of suffering because it hurts me, i wont hurt someone else cause i dont like hurting people, a purely selfish reason, not because the law or any other socio-religo-economic system tells me to , and not because i feel it is right to be empathic but rather it suits my own misguided needs.

Anyway just curious.


I have been ocasionally visiting this site. This site has changed the way of my life flowing. Thank you for being you are.

 

Nice Özgürce

tikle


Greetings. I just want to let you know right off that I consider myself a nihilist as well. I was reading you FAQ section of your web site and I noticed mention of Hitler. I thought I might tell you an interesting fact about him in the case you may want to put it up. The person whose message you have up there called him a crazed nazi or something of the sort. Well, he was actually a firm Catholic. In fact, in one of his more famous speeches actually stated that he was always a Catholic and always would be. You might want to tell these theists that before they blame Nihilism for all the problems of the world. Thanks.


Nihlists? You sound like a bunch of fucking assholes who own computers, why not do the world a favor and go jump in a river you mongrels.


I was taking a shower a few minutes ago, when I realized that I am secretly a nihilist. Everything that I tried to convince myself that I believed in was just another random hypocritical idea in which I wanted to place my faith. I dried off and found your page to see if I actually held Nihilist views. So far I have failed to find anything in your site which I can disagree with... does this mean that I may be a nihilist? Are there many in-the-closet nihilists like myself? It's not like I have suddenly changed my views... I have really always felt this way. When did you realize that you were a nihilist?

John


Greetings. Excellent web site. It was very informative. I have always looked  at the world from a nihilist perspective but now i have a name for it. A  quick question: Where does the word nihilism come from? What is 'nihil'?  This is the only piece of information missing from your website. Keep up the  good work.

Michael


hi,

 

    I just ran over your FAQs page and it's appauling to me how narrow minded some individuals are about nihilism, over simplifying the definition into simply beliving in nothing, when infact your page opens up with a pretty consise and agreeable definition.    Perhaps your FAQs should open up with a reminder to read that definition. You seem to get an overwhelming amount of questions on, how can you not belive in existing if you exist yourself? In my view of nihilism (note: I'm not a nihilist so I don't know how laudable you'll find this), there isn't the nessicary belief in not existing, just simply that you can't prove it with the knowledge and morals of the human experience.    People also talk about, how can you even do anything if you don't belive in anything, shouldn't you just do nothing. Again, it's not a belief in nothing, it's the belief that there is no purpose, no reason, to your actions. It doesn't mean that you can't do anything, it just means that when you do, there's no real reason. So, it's almost hedonistic.

   In a way I see nihilism as a very optimistic way of thought. If you don't belive in anything, there are no moral repercussions afterwards. This can explain why many nihilists can be violent. However this also means that you have no fear of Hell, Karma, or Judgment Day. You don't have to watch your back in fear.

   I really liked your explination of consistency and that nihilists are not evil because they don't belive in evil. It's good to see that there is a source of information dispelling sterotypes about nihilism coming from a nihilist in a non-docturnal fashion.

  Thanks,

Eric


Nietzsche explains my recent experience as seasickness in Beyond Good and Evil.


love your site, im an athiest, but the quote "consistantcy is the hobgoblin  of small minds" says it all. your site reminds me of the movie about Andy  Kaufman, Man on the Moon. The whole joke on the joker thing i guess. Anyway, well done. The higher the Fewer!


I stumbled across your webpage today. I feel I should thank you. For now I  have a name to discribe my belief structure. I was reading in your FAQ's  section. Someone asked you if you are depressed all the time. I was very  happy to read your response because I feel like a stronger, "Free" person in  knowing that society and morals are based on a lie. I am not saying I have  it all figured out but I have always felt that our existence on this planet  is completely meaningless. There is no point to it all. One person might  find this depressing but I find it exalting. Good work, and thanks for the  very informative web site! I am eager to learn more about Nihilism.

Sincerly,

Michael


Dear Mr. Shapiro

Thank you for your most interesting Web site(s).  I enjoy your humour and your philosophy. Sounds like fun!  Just a few minor comments/questions:

1. the choice of guns

I read your FAQ page, and just would like to note the paradox (?) of being a Nihilist in a specific time and place. In Japan where I live, as in many countries, guns do not have the symbolic depth and meaning that they have for American, say, Internet viewers. Thus, the gun connotation may express humour and irony for an educated American (who has read your FAQ page), but it certainly means nothing but sheer horror (of the object itself, and its sometimes consequences) and other value negatives (sorry for the misuse here, perhaps, of one of the Nihilist's most interesting and fruitful words). Is there any way to provide a balance to the gun by having your character hold another object in his other hand? Or would the gun always take precedence, meaning that whatever was held in the other hand was now threatened, and would ultimately be annihilated, by the power inherent in the action of that gun?

For what it's worth . . .

2. Real Audio/Video

Couldn't you PLEASE PLEASE provide some real audio/video teasers on your page, such as from your 1988 Presidential Campaign video? Reading is fun(damental), but the tired surfer also enjoys sound and moving images.

3. One more question

You dont need to provide any answers or responses to this email. But could you please address in your Internet site(s) how and why Nihilism is the best alternative to other philosophical/motivational political (derived) belief systems (or lack thereof).

We are surely in serious need of debate (still! and even more than ever) of alternatives to the Industrial-Military-Political complex Modern State. And can and do Nihilists organize themselves? Perhaps these issues are treated somewhere on your pages. I will continue to search for your responses therein.

Good luck in your Nihilist career, and your (perhaps more demanding?) Teaching Career. In a way, if I understand your presentation and orientation correctly, you are kind of a funky American Gahdhi. Bravo!

Best wishes,

Robert L (xyz)

Tokyo


looking for a nihilist-list of sorts.

any suggestions, references?

is there an online nihilist mailing list?

thanks,  oona


I have a hard time understanding how you can say there is no meaning to life.  If there is no meaning to life then why be here at all?  Then you say that you do things to make you happy, so wouldn't the purpose of your life be to make yourself happy?  Another thing, I am wondering about is don't you feel arogant doing things that only please yourself without regard to others? I do not agree with you, but I am very interested in your beliefs or lack of.


In case you're a busy person, I'll keep this brief.

There is a chance you get plenty of 'this is my long, amazing tale of how I found nihilism' e-mails, so I'll save you from my complicated, but probably quite typical, story.

Just writing to say that your site has been really helpful and a great source of cool links. So keep it up! I will also quickly mention that in your "Questions People Ask Me About Nihilism" -LOL!- I couldn't relate more, very well put! What is wrong with people!? Some of the questions people ask me at work are *so* absurd that just finding some common ground to actually communicate the answer takes longer than answering the damn question. That is, when it doesn't end in yet another debate hehe...

Most importantly, I wanted to ask if you know of any good forums concerning Nihilism that you would recommend? Clubs, groups, e-mail discussions, anything really...

Thanks for your time,

Another Slightly Conscious Primate Assigned The Name

'Morgan' For Social Convenience And Order


Hello,  My name is Kevin and I am very intrigued about your view of the world, and your belief (sort-of-say) of having no belief whatsoever.  I am starting a paper on the roots of nihilism, and what exactly is "nihilism" and I would be glad for some first hand sources and input.  Of course like everyone else, nihilism confuses me.  I don't understand how it came to be or how you or anyone else lives with it.  Personally I don't think you guys can have any opinion, or any original thoughts of your own on any matter because you believe in nothing.  The whole purpose of living (again my personal opinion) is belief, in order to live your life, you must live your life for something.  One question arives from this though. What is the difference between nihilism and atheism? Is there a difference even?  Ever since watching the movies "The Big Lebowki" and "Fight Club" I have been interested and intrigued by the thought of nihilism as, well, a belief system, or a "way of life".  Thank you for reading this letter out and I would appriciate a response.

Again thank you for your time

Kevin


Hey man, nice Web site.  Here's a little something for you.

Shit.

I don't know what the fuck I am.  I was first labeled Vincent.  That's my name.  Eventually I came to know myself as a Catholic. Vinny, the Catholic, if you will.  But I observed things that made me question who I was.

So I began my mental evolution...or some shit like that.  Today, I am 24 years old.  Since I was 11, I've been many things.  I've been a satanist, a necromancer, a mage.  I've been an alien, a clairvoyant, a part of some unnamable energy.  I've been a freethinker, an agnostic, an atheist.  I've been a scientist, a skeptic and now, maybe a fucking nihilist.  I don't know what the fuck I am because I don't know what the fuck is going on.  My frustrations are intense and great in number.  I'm experiencing increasing difficulty in coping with this shit.  And the terrible irony for me is that I don't want to die.  Despite the fact that life basically fucking pisses me off and I walk around continuously cheapening my existence by just thinking about it...I still don't want to end it.

Because I know that when I die, whatever the fuck this is, is going to end. And that thought sickens me. It makes me fucking ill.

As much I try to enjoy myself...and as much as I try console myself with the cold simple fact that "Well, when you're dead, you won't even know it," I'm still reminded of the futility of it all.

I want to know more about this life, this universe, this "whatever-the-fuck-you-want-to-call-it" more than anything else. But the only thing I really know is that I'll "NEVER KNOW" and I'm going to fucking pack my bags someday and travel into "ENDLESS FUCKING NIGHT."

SHIT!!


Do you stop at stop signs?


Hello

In the midst of my research on the subjects of Nihilism and Hedonism, I came across your web page. I read the FAQ's section and found it pretty informative. I have compiled a list of the top 10 questions to ask of any philosophy to get a better understanding of them.

1 What is human nature? (Are we evil? Are we good?)

2 Is the mind distinct from the body?

3 What is real? (What is the nature of reality?)

4 Do humans have free will?

5 Does God Exist?

6 Does knowledge depend on experience?

7 Does Science give us truth? (Can we access the truth?)

8 Is morality relative? (Can we define right & wrong?)

9 What justifies the state? (Is government needed? It is it natural or artificial?)

10 What is the meaning of life?

I'm anxious to hear your responses. Thank you for your time!

Reese Holland


1. Isn't this the only question left for the nihilist: when should I commit suicide?

2. Are you sure the ultimate reason a person ascribes to nihilism is not simply that he wants to convince himself he will never be held accountable to a self-existent, eternal judge of the universe?


Interesting page. I think we might share some of the same ideas but probably not all of them. While going over the revolutionary philosophies in my Modern History of Russia class we touched briefly on the Nihilists. One reason they failed was because they were very much into ideas but not really into action. I thought I had heard of just about every third party in the U.S. but then I found the Nihilist Party page. I wish you luck in the future. You surely know more about art than I do but your comments about Dadaism (on the FAQ) reminded me of the Russian Futurists. Are they related? The Futurists are from the first decade of the 20th Cent. They were known for their untraditional and controversial art. They would claim that they were here to throw the traditional Russian artists over board from the ship of modernity. Along with their 2-D art they were also known for street theater during which they would scream obscenities and throw food at their audience.


You are Loved

I want you to know that there is someone who loves you very much. That's important to know in the " dog eat dog world " in which we live. We spend our lives trying to earn love and respect and somehow we never seem to "measure up". It's wonderful to be loved without reservation, without having to learn it. We are loved, not because we are good, not because we have lived up to expectations, and not because  we've tried to live a good life, but we are loved just like we are...faults and all. God has put a high value on our lives in that He gave His son to die on a cross to pay the penalty for all our sins. He has a very high purpose for yor life!

After 42 years of struggling with the meaning of life and what the purpose of my life should be, I met a man named Jesus and He changed my life. It has been wonderful to be loved unconditionally and to finally realize the meaning  of life itself.  I'm writing you to share this love and to  let you know that you are a very special person in the sight of God. He only wants good for you and wants to help you in all of your trials.

The Holy Bible tells us in the book of Romans, chapter 3 verse 23...

[he goes on for a while here.  I just thought I'd shorten it a bit]

I am starting a FREE monthly letter which is called " Encouraging Words " . It is a short letter which I hope will encourage and challenge you in your walk with the Lord. You may subscribe  to the letter by writing me at jkeyton@btamail.net.cn  Put subscribe in the subject line and any comments or questions. Whatever your decision, remember that God loves you and He is greater than any problem you have!

If this letter has inconvenienced you or offended you in any way, I apologize and promise you that unless you subscribe to the letter , you will not receive any other mail from me.

God Bless You,

Jimmy Keyton


(1) Nihilism states: existence has no meaning or purpose.  By logical extension, Nihilism has no meaning or purpose.

(2) Nihilism, by pretense, is a philosophy/world view designed to explain the meaning and purpose of existense.

(3) The pretense associated with Nihilism is inconsistent with the logical extension of Nihilism in (1).

(4) Therefor, Nihilism is intrinsically inconsistent.

I forget where I was going with this whole thing... ah shit!


The funny thing about beliefs is that everyone has one.  It is heridetary almost.  You believe in no believe.  That too is a belief.  I myself have believes, yet I now do not care.  I accept life as it comes.  After all, there is no possible way our system of thought and reality are even close to being real.  But I do love your site.  It is very opinionated, and that is good.  We need more people to voice their opinion in life rather than to use the lame excuse wearing close that supposedly "voices their opinion".  You should check out my site, it is small but has some interesting opinions that you might like.  www.geocities.com/mind_of_words/stuff.html  It mostly talks about society and organized beliefs and how I percieve them to be shit.


good evening.. I am an aspiring nihilist.. i use the term 'aspiring' to respect the absolution of real nihilists.. I am not yet a nihilist.. though i hold the beliefs...; I don't however have much information about thoughts and beliefs / values,,, Can you offer some document attachments or URL forwards.. Many thanks..


hey, im not sure is this is the email for forum postings or what but i just have a few questions i hope you can answer in an email reply since i'm very intrigued by nihilism; i hope i can make my questions clear but it's kind of tricky when talking about a paradox way of life.

first of all, do you find that you have to make an effort to be nihilist? beliefs are integrated in society that i'd suspect some beliefs have been forced into you from an early age and that you'd have to make a direct effort to purge yourself of them.

can anyone be a nihilist or does it take a certain kind of person (based on perspective and way of thinking) to be a nihilist?

do you feel like beliefs are a burden and that nihilism is like having a weight lifted off your shoulders?

and finally does nihilism go hand in hand with apathy? do you see any similarities in your behavior with the taoists who believe you should just go with the flow?

obviously you can tell im not a nihilist because if i was why would i care enough to bother you with these questions, but i hope you find the time to write back with some replies.

 thanks


I took a quick look at your site and I might be back.  You should keep your  feelers out for canaDADA.org, which will be a socially driven, absurd and  political, Canadian, art-based site.   The site isn't up yet, but after I've  got a few projecs off the ground in the real world, the web stuff will  become a forum of exchange and documentation open to all.

jc in Montreal.


Remember me? I'm the person who was asking for your permission about a month ago to use the stuff you've posted on your site. Turns out, it worked. Worked great, as a matter of fact. It backed up or even answered lots of the mind-boggling questions, or rather, de-answer (oops, the lack of vocabulary) them.

Anyways, I really do need to ask you one more thing. No, no, no! Don't give me any of that apathy crap! I do think you should consider.  There is only one vital answer to a very heavy question that me and my groupmates can't figure out no matter how many mat'ls we've already gone through. That is, those that are available to us. Question: How could you disprove your existence when you have knowledge of your birth? When your mother carries the memories AND the pains of YOUR birth? When birth just makes all things... tangible?

Hasta la vista


 

Comments as of 12-25-2001

 

 


 

 

Hello!
for the past few months I have been studding Albert Camus' The Stranger in my English class and now I have to write a paper on nihilism vs. existentialism. Do You have any thoughts? Are these two philosophies more alike or different?
SJ


just one question: i'm an anarchist, which in some circumstances is parallel with nihilism, and in some cases not...my question is if a nihilist feels emotion, or allows him/herself to feel emotion...i know that, although i hate the establishment and religion and authority in general, i don't believe i am a nihilist in the actual definition.
thanks!
Craig


Greetings
Okay so the universe is Chaotic, that is true. But when you look at it from a high enough perspective you see that in that in Chaos there is order. This order pervades all. Infinitely outwards, Infinitely inwards. From the Atom to the Galaxy. Although we cannot visably see the connectivity, we are still part of it. We are not independent entities. Life is Chotically creative. See that as meaningful or meaningless. It is still the same elephant, just seen from different angles. Open your eyes and look at the symbolic evidence. The sun cares for the tree, the tree gives us oxygen, the Mother loves her child. Life experiencing itself, through itself. Always creating always rejoicing. There is one force that pervades all. Love.
Do not be afraid to open yourself. Pain is what guides us. To feel is to be alive. If you resent compassion somewhere along the line you did not get enough, so you tried to tell yourself that you did not need it. Nothing can live without the Sun.
I just wrote to add a little sunshine. Be well.


there are no words for an ignorant self centerd fool or fools whom belive in this garbage! we are all here on earth and a part of one another, whether in the image of God almighty or flakseed! but we do grow in faith that one day there is salvation! We are here to help one another grow and learn from our salvations or our failures,without that we would not exsist!!! Grow and learn! open yourself too a new point of veiw!!!


I took a quick look at your site and I might be back. You should keep your feelers out for canaDADA.org, which will be a socially driven, absurd and political, Canadian, art-based site. The site isn't up yet, but after I've got a few projects off the ground in the real world, the web stuff will become a forum of exchange and documentation open to all.
jc in Montreal.


Hi
I was just suprised that you didn't have the book "Notes from the Underground" by Dostoyevsky on your reading list. This is my favorite book and many of the ideas you have expressed are discussed in length in the book. I was just wondering if you have read it or if you purposely left it off the site. I like your site but I find myself cringing every time I see nihilism as a label. I guess it's the easyest way to explain yourself but it seems all "nihilists" are inherently different. Every one kind of rationalizes the world as being one of their dreams. So everyones perception and therefore is belief is different. (what I just said I'm not sure if I believe)


I recommend the Nihilist Glee Club! http://www.angelfire.com/zine/nihilistgleeclub Or, perhaps it's just a suggestion...


Dear Nihilist,
Please feel free to chat and invite others to chat at otl.20m.com. This site is dedicated to improving existence by enacting our lives through PLAY. Nihilism is easily channelled through PLAY to make life more enjoyable, inspiring, etc. The pages are still currently being built up, so keep an eye on it, OK? There is a chat room.
Please add our webpage to your list of artists. It is called OPTATIVE THEATRICAL LABORATORIES...
Cheers!

DONNIE


There is only one vital answer to a very heavy question that me and my groupmates can't figure out no matter how many mat'ls we've already gone through. That is, those that are available to us. Question: How could you disprove your existence when you have knowledge of your birth? When your mother carries the memories AND the pains of YOUR birth? When birth just makes all things... tangible?
Hasta la vista


finally people who aren't religious zealots!!!
glad I found you
now that i've found you we don't really have much to discuss be cause neither of us believes in anything.
that's grand ain't it
P.S. I'm not belittling you I am a nihilist too


Hello,
I saw the site and I thought I would write because the whole concept of nihilism interests me. I was hoping that we could dicuss it just because I would be interested to find out more. Although I do not share quite the same beliefs that you do I am not interested in trying to 'convert' you to anything, just to know more. I hope we talk soon. Dave


Hello.
I am also a nihilist but I fail to see why you do not mention one of its greatest, Friedrick Nietzshe. He has been an inspiration to me in difficult times. There are also some really great atheist/nihilist bands namely Nine Inch Nails. But hey, its your website guy - let me thank you for having it.
-Darren


The problem with being a nihilist catholic is that I can't seem to escape the lable catholic. Well' maybe I can, I guess I'll never really know if it even matters anyway. Time for more beer! I think?


I am trying to understand your world view...but it is a hard one to grasp. Is there something deeper to it then just not believing in morality, etc? What is the underlying basis for your non-belief? When was it in your life that you recognized yourself as a nihilist? While my beliefs and world view are quite different, I find your web page very interesting... I feel very ignorant to say that I never realized there was such a world view as yours...
thank you for your site, and the time that it obviouly took to create it.


I read your Q&A page... well i skimmed it... and I wanted to ask you a quick question... No i am not going to try to convert you... i just want to find out why you believe what you believe...I am really interested in what you have to say... You say that you believe in nothing... does that include our worldly existance... What about the goodness of man? Like i said before i am not going to try to attack your belief system... i am just trying to find answers...
~*~LM~*~


hello i am chris ! i am also a nihlist ! my spelling of nihlist is corect! im scotish! are the people who ask you those Qstions for real ? i mean they are on a web site abt u a nihlist ! what do they expect u 2b a christn ??!
lk the web site!

p.s. do you know of any scotish nihlst groups ? or any thing lk that?!


"We know everything, and we know nothing." I think it says a lot about nihilism.
Another interesting theory that could relate to nihilism is the chaos theory; http://www.tryoung.com/chaos/aa-novum.htm


"Be severe to yourself and severe to others. Suppress the sentiments of relationship, friendship, love, and gratitude. Have only one pleasure, one joy, one reward -- the triumph of the revolution. Night and day, have only one thought, the destruction of everything without pity. Be ready to die and ready to kill any one who opposes the triumph of your revolt." -Michael Bakunin
-C.M.

 


 

 

Comments as of 8-25-2001

 

 


I find it hard to understand how anyone can claim to be a nihilist and not contradict themself. If you say, "I am a nihilist", then you believe that you are a nihilist. Another example: "I believe in nothing." So you are saying that you believe that you believe in nothing. If one truly believes in nothing, how can any statement of affirmation be made? You would have to not belive in god, and also not not believe in god. Nihilism must embrace agnosticism, not dogmatism.

My opinon, take it or leave it. By the way, check out Max Stirner if you are interested in Amoralism or Egoism. (Not that I follow his philosophy)

Philip

 


Hi there,

I'm currently exploring the world of nihilism, and your site was quite a helpful read. In terms of Nihilism in pop culture, what's your take on the book/movie Fight Club? Or the book/movie A Clockwork Orange? Both portray heavy nihilist themes... In Fight Club, the main character has absolutely no control over his alter ego/other personality, and ends up in chaotic disarray. It also confesses that "only when you've lost everything are you free to do anything." As for A Clockwork Orange, when confronted by why he goes through with evil acts, the lead character muses "Some people take pleasure from doing good. I just enjoy evil. It's not my upbringing or surroundings. I just don't care about the pain I inflict, and enjoy violence".

So, what's your opinion on these two pieces? Are they representative of nihilsm?

Lars


thank you for sharing your beliefs with the net. I really enjoyed reading about it, and feel like I have somewhat connected with it. However, I cannot fully commit to one "ism" but am more a mixture of what I feel makes sense to ME (and Nihilism, btw. fits most of my beliefs I thought were unamed; no god, no reason for existence, etc.). So this leads me to my question: Is there such thing as a "half" Nihilist? poorly phrased, I know...for example, someone can be considered a Christian, but they are not as devout as others. Is this possible with Nihilism?? I hope you know what I mean, because words are getting in my way right now. Another question: Do you ever get lonely, or do you talk with people who are Nihilists, too?
Thank you so much, once again.

Kels


What a bunch of pathetic rebels-without-a-cause! If you really thought that nothing mattered, you'd end it all right now. Life is a mystery -- you might as well choose faith over despair: it feels better...
Give Nietzsche a rest. Read some Pascal and Kierkegaard instead!
PEACE AND HOPE,
JAY


Hello

I was looking through your web page simply because I wanted to know and learn what Nihilism was. I can certainly understand where your coming from and my questions are not coming from a condemning point of view, rather ignorance. You say you dont believe in right and wrong and I really dont have problem with it but I do have questions or really one question to illustrate a point.

If indeed there is no right and wrong, how or what do you think of say, female circumscision in underdeveloped african contries. Isn't that, on the most base levels wrong, is there no such thing as, for lack of a better description "human rights", or do you chalk it up to social relativism.

Ok as I am writing this I think it is becoming clear to me. Again for lack of a better description I guess "shit happens", chaos, randomness. But still please entertain me and answer the question.

Does Nihilism go hand and hand with Anarchisim

Does being a Nihilist mean there are no ethics to ones being or is it personal ethics. Good lord Im so confused the more I understand the more questions pop up.

Regards
Dean


I enjoyed your site and thought you might like to have a look at mine. It's not necessarily nihilist-related, but might have some similarities.
You can throw up a link to it on your site if you want.
http://www.rattlebrain.com/~idletirades
Eric


 

THIS IS NOT A FLAME, NOR AN INSULT, NOR A PUN!

I'm doing a report on nihilism and the teacher told me to ACT like I'm endorsing it. I have to tell you, I always get excited about reports, and this is no exception. I am VERY DETERMINED to prove to the class that Nihilism is the ONLY belief mankind has as absolute truth. The moment I finished reading your FAQs and personal definition, I couldn't help but laugh my head off. Being a Catholic, your belief to me is like reading the bible upside down. It doesn't stink, and may I say, you can actually convince people. Because of this, I would like to ask your permission to use the exact words you had put on the definition-the interview part- and act them out in front of class. I can already imagine their laughs.

But anyway, I expect you to take it as no big deal. After all, you say you absolutely NO reason to exist! I guess I can violate morals and etiquette and all because you have absolutely NO reason why you should follow those. You could just probably PRIDE the fact that I praised you for your 'convincing' definition but then...oh well, you do know that pride has no place in nihilism, DON't YOU??? I mean, what RIGHT does a non-existing person have to utilize good AND evil?

Again, THIS IS NOT A FLAME, NOR AN INSULT, NOR A PUN

Thank you. I'm going to have to say 'You're welcome' for you as well, ne?
After all, you DON'T believe in morality.

 

THE (MISERABLE) NIHILIST

You don't fight for any side
You don't believe you have a guide
You walk the earth cynic and blind
You reject all ties that bind 'Chaos rules',

you do confess
Can't you see that is a mess!?
If you try hard and think things through
You'll find order starts within you!

What if the world is as you say?
What if all things should be astray?
What if you find yourself right one day?

You'd be stupid not to think
There is a God, a guide, a link
But then it would seem you don't need a brain
Because being such a smartass already is a pain!!!

You might angry because of this
But, oh! I forgot!
You don't know bliss!
No emotion, no God, no brain
No existence, no life: THEN YOU'RE BUT A BANE!!!


People prefer self-delusion.

Belief in God and spirits is an expression of powerlessness.

Belief in morality is an expression of self-hatred.

The world is random and chaotic.

Magic is only tricks. Tricks are always done in the simplest way, but the eye is misdirected because people love to be fooled.

I have no control over anything.

I am alone.

Death is nothing.
Then we rot and fall apart.

I like it this way.

I could be wrong about any of these things.

Aren't these believes?


once i said "there is no truth, no real love. there is no God. there is nothing to believe in, nothing to fear." everyone thought i was insane, depressed, and suicidal. that was when i knew nothing of nihilism that was a few years ago. now i know where i cast my lots.
simply,
john


 

I commend you for taking the time to express yourself through the internet. It is refreshing to know that I am not the only one who accepts the universe as an absurd existance. You see, I live in the Bible belt of the south(TN) surrounded by fucking rednecks and idiots (all the same)... I'm not from here. But I am temporarily stuck here. Anyway, I read some of the angry fan mail and I think it is hilarious how afraid peopple are of the inevitabiliy of nihilism. I'm looking for a friend to converse with from time to time for the sake of sharing thoughts, ideas, opinions, theories, as well as advise. I also subscribe to atheistic existentialism which I don't believe at all contradicts with nihilism... I most enjoy readings from Nietzche (who was literally insanely intelligent) and Jean-Paul Satre (my dead mentor)... Anyway, it would be nice to hear back from a fellow man who recongnizes no absolutes.

Brian


Yesterday someone that I thought I knew pretty well and that I care about told me that he was a Nihilist and that was very important to him. Well, not knowing what Nihilism was I just sort of brushed that aside. "So long as you're not into bizarre rituals and sacrifices, I don't care," I told him. Today though, I decided maybe I should do a little research on my own since he didn't offer any more on the topic (and not that I blame him after my response). The whole point of this is that I found this site and at least I know a little more now. I'm not sure what I think of it all yet, but it's a start. Thank you for providing some information to those of us who want to know more.

Christine


Hello,

I am a college student in my freshman year. I have recently been assingned to write a paper on nihilism, so far I have written some of it, but when I refered to religon as being a point against nihilism the teacher told me that that wasnt strong enough. He then asked me "what is religon"? Basically Im just trying too prove why nihilism is not true and I thoughht religon was one but he told me that religon was too broad. Should I write about death, or after death. Please help me if you get a chance.

Thanks


Hello,

I'm doing a paper for my AP English class about Nihilism vs. Existentialism, and I think you might be able to help me answer this question: Do you beleive that Nihilism is a rejection of the self, as in you are giving it up because life is meaningless???

Thank you for taking to time to answer.
~Tara


Howdy.

My name is Russel J. Faraday- I am thirteen years old, and I am a nihilist.
Plan on doing anything on the east coast anytime soon? I dunno, it'd be cool if you flew over to SLC and did the Olympics all over again. Maybe have a Mormon defacing contest.
Eh, I'm not funny. Anyway, your site is a testament to those of us who often don't give a shit, and a plus is, you are fucking hilarious.
I love atheism.
Peace. -=-
R.J.F.


Refreshing. Truly. Thank you.


Considering God; there may be one, there may not be. But if there is, I really can't imagine It being upset with me for not knowing :~)

Anthony J


I am also a nihilist. I am gradually becoming one anyhow- or so it would seem. "Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds." <~~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson>


im not going to say much except that i really need to take a shower. and visit my bands website if you are feeling really bored and lazy. .
http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/ricksucks
and dont forget to make fun of as many people as possible, whether they are christians, republicans, anarchists, police officers, or nihilists,,,
because everthying is subject to criticism. even me.
well fuck, especially ME!
one more thing i have a joke that i made up one day....
whats the worst part about giving an abortion?
theres not enough meat to make a hamburger.


Everything's simple if you wish. No one can tell the truth about the origin of the universe, no one really knows anything. So, if you really think you're an authority upon this topic, go fuck yourself 'cause the origin of the universe is something no one knows anything for sure.


check it out!! late, barcode Barcode Conspiracy News
http://community.webtv.net/barcode-conspir/BarcodeConspiracy


Easter is just an excuse that Jesus gave his girlfriend for not being home all weekend.


I to belive that there is no meaning or purpose in existence. but on your web page you wrote that nihilism is also "the denial of the existence of any basis for knowledge or truth" what the fuck does that mean?

ido


I wandered upon here, am a lover of wisdom, and felt compelled to....comment.

1) In your FAQ, Nihlism is defined as a rejection of commonly held beliefs, ideals, etc
........traditionally, historically, practically, this is simply untrue. A rejection of commonly held beliefs is called revolutionary, or, more commonly, typical.

2) There is a gift in rejecting held beliefs to turn them on their bellys.

3) Any nihilistic view that unites itself around a rejection of a certain notion, whether God, or god, or good, or Good, or meaning, or Meaning, or meaning, only serves to contradict itself, thus leading to the other FAQ on this page, concerned with the implicit contradictions of nihilism. This is problematic for nihilism only because:
a. It serves to illustrate the roots of nihilism in Analytic Philosophy, which crowned itself in the logical positivist era.
b. Frankly, look, and I suppose this is my point: Anyone who has read an understood lick of hermeneutics or done some real Nietzsche reading, or who has ever grasped the idea of "postmodernism" can grasp the sham. After all, wouldn't you say, isn't this all it?
c. If you get me, you'll probably call me a nihilist.
3) Metaphysics has never truly contradicted Existentialism, and if you take a side on this, you seem either destined for the ivory tower, or are listening to too much Stained.
Anyway, relax. Even the most conservativelly looked upon philosophies, let's say, for argument nowadays, the Bible, either testament, are essentially built upon the idea that change is essential, natural, and mandatory in some instances. Indoctrination, after all, is for the masses, no?
A few thoughts.


I hate to burst your bubble, but you aren't a nihilist. You are simply an attention-seeking shyster. You toy with the notion of support for institutions; a "Nihilist Party" is-in and of itself-a contradiction in terms. You accept the reality of inconsistencies in your philosophy because it is hopelessly flawed and therefore useless. And your pathetic attempts to glorify supposedly controversial imagery are tiresome and dated at best. What's more, your confused attempts to make a few bucks off the concept of nihilism with your "Nihilist Press" is repulsive.


hey, good onya for your views and its nice to have another page out there that can sythesise all the demented stuff im thinking and show me a philosophy where it makes sense. the thing is, sure it was nice to have something that supported what i thought and promotes an independence from religion etc but why do you let anyone else in on the the secret? i realise im mainly talking about religion here which is not the point of nihilism but nihilism can encourage independence of thought and skepticism. so why would you want other people to be able to think? is it really that much of an advantage to encourage strangers who you do not know you want to set free, to think for themselves? though i hate organised religion etc. you have to admit it works well for those that use it. the power leaders is so great, why would you want to free the sheep? you cant want to do it for their good because well your not meant to care so how does it benefit you? even if you dont desire the power or control you still need to go to the effort of telling them. do you enjoy this communication which you call art because it makes you feel superior or smarter? why do you want other people to know, nihilism doesnt involve want of control or want to feel in possession of truth (or just intellegence). why did you make this site? also, questions about nihilism, how do you know if you are happy? i dont think i am but hey. is anyone. instead of trying to by actions make myself happy, should i be just trying to convince myself i percieve happiness? if so that would contradict nihilism. how can i be happy with nihilism?

thanks for reading this if you are this way through, i hope it made some sense


Nihilist whine you fucking moron. That is also a belief.


I've got nothing to say, which says it all


Here is an interesting website:
www.PerfectHuman.com
a website to get people thinking


I have not studied nihilism more than on a surface level. I was just wondering if you felt there to be any objective truths, but it would be meaningless to pursue them, or that objective truths are nonexistent. An example of this might be NASA's physicists being enlightened in the area of the physical operations of existence (or some of). If there was no such thing as objective truth (at least in the material sense), there would be no men landing on the moon. I find the only tangible truth in existence to be material. Would this be consistent with nihilism? If our brain is composed of material, which is at its base composed of tangible physical truth, then wouldn't the consciousness ejaculated out of the brain be at least connected with some sort of meaning? I was wondering if you felt there to be any meaning in life, even if it be purely scientific (material), would this not cancel out nihilism? I have no problems with your belief system, only questions. I would appreciate a response, if its at all possible. Thank you very much.


why in the fuck, if you dont believe in anything,


I CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND WHERE YOUR COMING FROM,,, BUT ARE YOU A HAPPY PERSON???? YES I CAN TELL YOU EARTH IS HELL THATS WHY THERES NOTHING ELSE LIVING ON SURROUNDING PLANETS.. THIS IS WHERE WE COME WHEN ITS OVER.... OUR GREATEST GIFT WE HAVE IS FREE SPEECH.... THETAS WHY YOU CAN HAVE A WEB SITE AS SUCH BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER MEMBERS? I'M WRITING THIS BECAUSE YOU INTRIGUE ME AS DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE FREE THINKING..
PEACE MAN
NORMAJEAN


hell-oh ! from brigette
http://members.aol.com/lumpenilluminate


i have a question? did you see fight club?
if not, do... goes along with everythingyou're saying.
keep it up buddy. I agree with 95% OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING


Congratulations on your honest and accessible treatment of this paradigm, but ultimately, it is just an adult version of a five year old shrugging his shoulders and responding to every significant question, "I don't know". But what you seem to be saying is that you don't know, you don't care, and you don't want to expend the intellectual energy to try to understand. Please add these to your list of frequently asked questions if you are truly sincere in your conviction (notice I intentionally avoided the term "belief").
Where did the universe and humans beings come from?
Why do people have free will and animals don't?
If there is no God or right or wrong, is it OK to kill and steal as long as you can get away with it?
You mean if there is no right and wrong, then I can have sex with children or be a cannibal without having to feel guilty about it?
Just because you refuse to think about the answers doesn't mean the questions and problems don't exist. So much of human suffering is caused, not by evil, but by indifference.
Nihilism is philosophical foot note, not just because it lacks logical merit, but because it is destructive to the spirit and denies our humanity.
Just try to answer these questions and you will discover that you really DO believe in something.


I wish all you pseudo-intellectuals would just die already. Who gives a fuck about you whiny ass holes anyway.

 

 


 

 

Comments as of 3-5-2001

 

 


 

 

 

 

I am a nihilist because i find when i embrace nothingness, im giving myself a great big hug right back.


 


 




WHO EVER READS THIS IM NOT A GOOD SPELLER I WILL START BY SAY'EN RELEGON SUCKS ALL IT IS.......IS POWER AND POWER MUST DIE NOT PEOPLE. PEOPLE STARTED RELEGON BUT NOT ME AND MY FRIENDS. SOME BELIEVE IN RELEGON BUT........NOT BIBLES. THOSE FUCKEN COPS I DONT HATE THEM I JUST DONT LIKE NAZIS. I SAPORT anarchy and peace.FUCK THOSE SKIN HEADS AND U.S. GOV. I WROTE THIS BECAUSE I WAS BORED O.YA FUCK M.T.V. AND CARSON DAILY AND LIMP BISKIT AND ALL THOSE OTHER BANDS ON M.T.V. the end P.S. MY NAME IS DICK LIDE MORE IM 15 YES 15 IM SINGLE AND NEED SEX!
WRITE@ AOL SUBHUMAZ6082972
...................ANARCHY LOVE PEACE!


 


 




I'm an Arizona science teacher/author/speaker/debater doing what I can to fight creationism in the public schools and discrimination in the Boy Scouts of America and defending freethought, humanism and church/state separation. In fact, I debated two representatives of the Institute for Creation Research, San Diego, just the other night. I'm writing to ask for your help. I'm trying to get the word out about my novel, 'Duck Egg Blue' (157392685X; Prometheus Books), which specifically deals with the two issues I mentioned above. It was recently an Institute for First Amendment Studies 'Book of the Month' selection and Dead Trees Review said '... everyone should read 'Duck Egg Blue.'' I would be very grateful if you would let your readers know about my book. In case you want more information I'm including several links below. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Derrick Neill
http://www.prometheusbooks.com/site/catalog/popular35.html
and
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/157392685X/qid%3D944790344/002-8864460-3376816
and
http://www.nea.org/neatoday/9904/myturn.html and http://www.mtnimage.com/~manatee/neill_duck.html


 


 




Hello! My name is Jocelyn.
I am a 17 year old girl from Arkansas. My mother and father moved me down here from Minnesota (I miss it a lot) 3 years ago. It is very difficult for me to find people that I enjoy and can talk to. If my mother were not here, I would probably cut my arms off with a dull spoon. But one of my classmates, a fundamental Christian likes to learn about other philosophies, but only for the purpose of proving them "wrong" with his twisted logic. He explained Nihilism to my class with this analogy:
"Pretend you are a tree, your essence is the tree, what does a tree create? A branch, now your essence is the branch. What does the branch create? an acorn. Now you are the acorn. What is inside the acorn? Nothing. Now your essence is nothing. Because nothing and everything is the same, nothing is nothing, everything is everything, nothing is everything, and everything is nothing. This is the logic of a Nihilist." I was just wondering if this is correct. I have read "Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre" and I don't think he is entirely correct. I was wondering what you think about this. Please write back to me.
-Jocelyn


 


 




Meaningless question: Are you involved in any way with the Nihilist Party this year? Please respond.


 


 




Cool site. I've been an anarchist for several years, people never seemed to understand what I could want from a world without structure, rules, god and a reason for existance. I had my own ideas, and when I found this site I was glad to see that (some) other people thought the same way. I hope someday I can live my life for myself rather than for a government or a god. It seems odd that some people never wonder if it really matters if we even have a god, or if we ever progress as a society. All that matters is that we enjoy ourselves before we slip back into non-existance, and stop pursuing pointless goals.

- O0o0o0o000o0oo00 (confusingnumbers)


 


 




If you don't know what I'm talking about, just consider me insane or something. I've been looking for two and a half years for someone else who believes that if logic is true, then nothing really matters at all. I still wonder if I am just nuts, believing this, when I can't think my way out of it. There is no "fundamentalness" that is "I". I don't really exist as a choosing being. "I" merely exist as a complicated stimulus-response, not as a free individual. In fact, if logic holds, then there can be no such thing as an "individual", since all must then be interconnected. If ANYONE out there also feels this way (note, logic must not necessarily hold, but if it didn't, then well.. you can't really say anything, since we always use logic) please email me at absintheme@yahoo.com (I like absinthe; I mean, why not?). I know there are some other people out there who think this way, but they didn't leave email addresses. Damn it, I just want to talk to someone about this before I go nuts. I did for a while, but I've been using the hunter s thompson mindset to avoid this. Works great.
Please respond to absintheme@yahoo.com.
Love your site.


 


 




The universe is hardly chaotic or random. Or better stated it is not as chaotic or random as it could be. Books on subatomic physics and string theory are available at any bookstore. You can disagree with this thus you exist.
-B.




I'm reading your comments page and one thing I'm realizing is that philosophy is relative. What is right for the person must be right for everyone else.

-B.


 


 




I'm getting tired so I'll be going to bed. Now, was it Nietzsche that said, "Blessed are the sleepy ones for they shall soon drop off."? I'm pretty sure it was. How DO you pronounce "Nietzsche"? Alex Trebek pronounce it Neetch-HEE but of course he's Canadien and therefore an unreliable source. I love the French whore getup. How can I get my hands on a copy of the movies from last years film festival? Wait that isn't a comment thats a question. Relax Michelle they're only words and don't really mean anything. Great now I forgot what I was going to say (damn meds.) Right on bro, I like cheese too. With Love,
Michelle, 15 year old insert meaningless label here

P.S. Macs suck


 


 




"This is the way i think the world is," is a subtitle in this site. You could also say "This is what i belive." I'm not criticizing but I'm saying that this might explain why people don't understand the concept of not believing in anything. I don't agree with every aspect of nihilism, but it is interesting, and as valid--if not more valid--than most other "religions" of the world. I don't understand not feeling depressed at this notion, but to each his own.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." --A. Einstein

Just a cool quote, that changed my life. Consider it. Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open wide Peace (Even though you "don't believe" in it.)


 


 




GOOD DAY I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INFORM ME SOME DETAILS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDING SHAKESPEAR UNTILL NOW. I AM A UNIVERSITY STUDENT.

BEST REGARDS
RAWAN ZATARAH


 


 




You need to have pictures of her art work! Jill crowely was very talented you need to show pictures for research purposes.


 


 




I'd really like to get in touch with other people out there who feel like I do. I am certain that if logic holds, then life must necessarily be deterministic and hence arbitrary and meaningless. Somebody out there has got to also understand this, like perhaps that person who wrote on the comments page (I hope this makes it onto the comments page) about living "halfway" inbetween. We have no reason not to kill ourselves, but no reason to kill ourselves; true logical reasoning becomes impossible. I feel the same way, and damn it, no one understands and I wouldn't tell them because I know they'd never understand, since their minds would protect them from the truth. They'd wonder why I'm still such a nice guy, although then they'd probably understand why I like implements of self-destruction like booze and mushrooms. So since I can never tell anyone what I believe, I have to try to seek out others who feel this way, although I haven't met _anyone_ yet after two and a half years. So, please reply back to me if you feel this way.
absintheme@yahoo.com


 


 




A good read is "Venus on the half-shell" by Kilgore Trout -- actually a fictional character in several of Kurt Vonnegut's books. It seems it was written by some other scifi author somewhere to fulfill a need for a book about a man who travels to distant worlds, meets strange new creatures, and has sex with them.

I have one question for the FAQ you've started to write; do you not not believe in god? What I mean is; I don't not believe in god, I don't believe in god, I just don't think that he applies to me or anyone else due to life's meaninglessness. That, and it wouldn't matter anyways.


 


 




Im writing to you from the UK to let you know that you lot are some fucked up people. I've just seen your web site and now I know how fucked up you lot really are. And anyway, you're not even real fucking nihilists! Why the fuck would you bother running for US president if you didnt believe in anything ( although in all fairness, you're just about to elect probably the most fucked guy ever in 'dubya' Bush so your probably quite happy )By the way I've been to LA and the place is a fucking dump, worse than Birmingham, so why you want that shithole as your capital is beyond me. Anyway I've had my say so later you freaky looking fucks.


 


 




Actually, I think you can set one up on Yahoo, and then add a link to your message board from your site. By the way, The site is friggin awesome. I took me quite a while to find it and I was most happy when I did. We have a pretty good group of guys over here on the east coast, and it is good to see others leading the fight against Truth, Justice and the American Way. The looks on people's faces are priceless when they read one of our pamphlets saying "Wipe your ass with the constitution, and burn the History Books. Those old men are dead. This is our time, not theirs!" Its just a shame that we need something as de-socializing as the computer to socialize. Technology has really gotten a stranglehold on us. I think the computer has replaced religion as "The opiate of the masses". HAHAHA
Somewhere there is another person paying alms to the silicon God.

Jim


 


 




hello, In doing research for a paper in Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as Young Man I came across your site. Are you familiar with the book? The main character is also a nihilist and an artist. Nihilism in the book is portrayed with a more lifeless slant, but i still thought it was interesting that you are also an artist. What do you think of how Joyce addresses nihilism?


 


 




Here is the church my buddies and I made. Check it out. Hope you like it.
The Church of Ritual Worldwide

Jim


 


 




i am very interested in ur belief i truely agree w/ it to an extent. i would like to quote some of you writing please tell me your name so i may give u credit. if you wish to remain anonomous then tell me or if you dont want to tell me your real name then jus tell me someone or soemhting ot credit. please get back to me as soon as possible. thank you . -caroline


as i read further into this i am finding myself really liking this idea. i was wondering if it were poosible for u and i to takl sometime. i tried to explain this to some friends of mine who thought i was pretty nuts afterward. how did u deal w/ this? also i believe inpleasure rrrr..... pain..... rrr.... love, i dont really kno but i care a lot about this guy who i go out with i dare say i love him but i still dont understand how this would fit into this way of life. do u train yourself to ignore all hormones adn emotion? maybe it is that i am young but i dont konw. well hlep me out if you can. okthanks. later

-caroline


 


 




my name is jason....i find your nihilist corner interesting.....i have some questions. i'm not a debator or perv.. i'm just seeking honest information....are you online ever.....? i'd like to chat with you.


 


 




I wish all you pseudo-intellectuals would just die already. Who gives a fuck about you whiny ass holes anyway.


 


 




Congratulations on your honest and accessible treatment of this paradigm, but ultimately, it is just an adult version of a five year old shrugging his shoulders and responding to every significant question, "I don't know". But what you seem to be saying is that you don't know, you don't care, and you don't want to expend the intellectual energy to try to understand. Please add these to your list of frequently asked questions if you are truly sincere in your conviction (notice I intentionally avoided the term "belief").

Where did the universe and humans beings come from?

Why do people have free will and animals don't?

If there is no God or right or wrong, is it OK to kill and steal as long as you can get away with it?

You mean if there is no right and wrong, then I can have sex with children or be a cannibal without having to feel guilty about it?

Just because you refuse to think about the answers doesn't mean the questions and problems don't exist. So much of human suffering is caused, not by evil, but by indifference. Nihilism is philosophical foot note, not just because it lacks logical merit, but because it is destructive to the spirit and denies our humanity. Just try to answer these questions and you will discover that you really DO believe in something.


 


 




i have a question? did you see fight club? if not, do... goes along with everything you're saying.

keep it up buddy. I agree with 95% OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING


 


 




hell-oh !
from brigette http://members.aol.com/lumpenilluminate


 


 




I CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND WHERE YOUR COMING FROM,,, BUT ARE YOU A HAPPY PERSON???? YES I CAN TELL YOU EARTH IS HELL THATS WHY THERES NOTHING ELSE LIVING ON SURROUNDING PLANETS.. THIS IS WHERE WE COME WHEN ITS OVER.... OUR GREATEST GIFT WE HAVE IS FREE SPEECH.... THETAS WHY YOU CAN HAVE A WEB SITE AS SUCH BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER MEMBERS? I'M WRITING THIS BECAUSE YOU INTRIGUE ME AS DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE FREE THINKING.. PEACE MAN

NORMAJEAN


 


 




why in the fuck, if you dont believe in anything,


 


 




I have not studied nihilism more than on a surface level. I was just wondering if you felt there to be any objective truths, but it would be meaningless to pursue them, or that objective truths are nonexistent. An example of this might be NASA's physicists being enlightened in the area of the physical operations of existence (or some of). If there was no such thing as objective truth (at least in the material sense), there would be no men landing on the moon. I find the only tangible truth in existence to be material. Would this be consistent with nihilism? If our brain is composed of material, which is at its base composed of tangible physical truth, then wouldn't the consciousness ejaculated out of the brain be at least connected with some sort of meaning? I was wondering if you felt there to be any meaning in life, even if it be purely scientific (material), would this not cancel out nihilism? I have no problems with your belief system, only questions. I would appreciate a response, if its at all possible.
Thank you very much.
Zarathustra01@hotmail.com.


 


 




Here is an interesting website:

www.PerfectHuman.com
a website to get people thinking


 


 




I've got nothing to say, which says it all.


 


 




Nihilist whine you fucking moron. That is also a belief.


 


 




hey, good onya for your views and its nice to have another page out there that can sythesise all the demented stuff im thinking and show me a philosophy where it makes sense. the thing is, sure it was nice to have something that supported what i thought and promotes an independence from religion etc but why do you let anyone else in on the the secret? i realise im mainly talking about religion here which is not the point of nihilism but nihilism can encourage independence of thought and skepticism. so why would you want other people to be able to think? is it really that much of an advantage to encourage strangers who you do not know you want to set free, to think for themselves? though i hate organised religion etc. you have to admit it works well for those that use it. the power leaders is so great, why would you want to free the sheep? you cant want to do it for their good because well your not meant to care so how does it benefit you? even if you dont desire the power or control you still need to go to the effort of telling them. do you enjoy this communication which you call art because it makes you feel superior or smarter? why do you want other people to know, nihilism doesnt involve want of control or want to feel in possession of truth (or just intellegence). why did you make this site?

also, questions about nihilism, how do you know if you are happy? i dont think i am but hey. is anyone. instead of trying to by actions make myself happy, should i be just trying to convince myself i percieve happiness? if so that would contradict nihilism. how can i be happy with nihilism?

thanks for reading this if you are this way through, i hope it made some sense.


 


 




I hate to burst your bubble, but you aren't a nihilist. You are simply an attention-seeking shyster. You toy with the notion of support for institutions; a "Nihilist Party" is-in and of itself-a contradiction in terms. You accept the reality of inconsistencies in your philosophy because it is hopelessly flawed and therefore useless. And your pathetic attempts to glorify supposedly controversial imagery are tiresome and dated at best. What's more, your confused attempts to make a few bucks off the concept of nihilism with your "Nihilist Press" is repulsive.


 


 




Please send any responses to al@longmeadowtv.org, as I am using someone else's computer. But, I wandered upon here, am a lover of wisdom, and felt compelled to....comment.

1) In your FAQ, Nihlism is defined as a rejection of commonly held beliefs, ideals, etc........traditionally, historically, practically, this is simply untrue.
A rejection of commonly held beliefs is called revolutionary, or, more commonly, typical.
2) There is a gift in rejecting held beliefs to turn them on their bellys.
3) Any nihilistic view that unites itself around a rejection of a certain notion, whether God, or god, or good, or Good, or meaning, or Meaning, or meaning, only serves to contradict itself, thus leading to the other FAQ on this page, concerned with the implicit contradictions of nihilism. This is problematic for nihilism only because:

a. It serves to illustrate the roots of nihilism in Analytic Philosophy, which crowned itself in the logical positivist era.
b. Frankly, look, and I suppose this is my point: Anyone who has read an understood lick of hermeneutics or done some real Nietzsche reading, or who has ever grasped the idea of "postmodernism" can grasp the sham. After all, wouldn't you say, isn't this all it?
c. If you get me, you'll probably call me a nihilist.

3) Metaphysics has never truly contradicted Existentialism, and if you take a side on this, you seem either destined for the ivory tower, or are listening to too much Stained.

Anyway, relax.

Even the most conservativelly looked upon philosophies, let's say, for argument nowadays, the Bible, either testament, are essentially built upon the idea that change is essential, natural, and mandatory in some instances. Indoctrination, after all, is for the masses, no?

A few thoughts.


 


 




hi mike frenden


 


 




I to belive that there is no meaning or purpose in existence. but on your web page you wrote that nihilism is also "the denial of the existence of any basis for knowledge or truth" what the fuck does that mean?

ido

 


 

 

Comments as of 9-16-2000

 

 


 

 

Can you teach me more about the Nihilist philosophy?


 


 




Just watched you on TV. Now I know the difference between good and bad art.
Thank you:, you rascal you.
Paul Slattery


 


 




I'll be brief here.

Once a nihlist attitude has been acheived by anyone, I suspect the natural inclination of human nature is to either affirm it...that is testing it agaist other belief systems(and nihlism IS a belief, it is impossible for an opinion NOT to be a belief) OR...

Create a paradigm, a platform, and an essential "spiritual" tool out of nihlism. How does realizing the base nature of life(death) effect the person who is infering this truth? It is a search for a moral lesson, if you will, in non-morality. And it is this paradox alone that serves as the check and balance to stem the tendency of the human mind toward delusions(christianity ie...)

The commitment of action in light of nihlism should speak for itself. Those of the human race who truly acknowledge nihlism will intuitively act in accordance with the truth.

To dispell with the primal "Hope" of creationism and the afterlife, as well as demphasising the importance of the role of individual humans, is something that does not come easy to the culturally ingrained psyche.

It should be interesting to see what happens. Or rather, it would be interesting, if lived long enough to observe the developments.

Craig Knaak
Cook, Western Pancake House
West Virginia


 


 




The FBI recently released a report profiling youths most likely to go "ape-shit" with a gun at school. The report found that these students have, amoung other things, nihilistic leanings.

Go figure.


 


 




ok , i like the things you say , really . i tthink you're right . but why do you like guns ? they're reflects of hate ... and don't you think making websites and stuff makes nihilism look like a sect (even if I know it's not ...) ? thanx for your answers

julien , france


 


 




Hi!
There is no truth or if there is tuth it has got nothing to do with the world. A Mathematician might prove that 2+2=4 (this example is taken out of "1984" by G.O. and "Problems of Philosophy" by B.R.), but it's only in his system of axioms. In an other system 2+2=1 (mod 3). And the system itself can't be proved and so it can't be true. Yet there is something. Not truth, but something related. I call it fact. It is fact, that if you shot a bullet into your head, you're dead. And if you deny this, do it and disapear.
If someone says, he believes in God, I tell him: "If God exists, what consequences would there be? And if you know some, act upon your believe and risk your live in finding out whether those consequences are really there." (or maybe i'll ask them to risk some money, cause I don't want anyone to die)


 


 




why would a so-called nihilist

a) run for president
b) run for fucking LA Sheriff

c) post a goddamned webpage

i just don't understand the contradictions implied...

jake


 


 




I wonder why none of these dumbasses get that when they ask a question about nihilism all anyone has to do to get the answer is reverse the question!

ex:
q:how can sombody believe in nothing?
a:how can sombody NOT believe in nothing
just a thought, if that "exists" singed, a 15 yr old non nihilist


 


 




I am actually quite interested in what you have to say. The fact that you do not believe in a God is astounding though! I can not quite accept the fact that you don't believe. I wish you could look around you and tell your self that it wasn't just an accident.

Im thankful that not everyone feels the way you do. For if they did the world would tailspin into a state of chaos and anarchy. The idea of the absurdity of existence is absurd in itself. You have taken the easy way out of all of your social responsibilities and have turned into nothing but a hedonist who puts his pleasure before that of the state. I hope the day will come when you will reevaluate your life and you will set new morals and standards for yourself instead of this bullshit cop-out of a philosophy you have stumbled upon.
I do on the other hand enjoy your site and think it is very well put together.

thank you,
jonathon davis bower


 


 




Nihlists must doubt their own beliefs, then doubt the beliefs they have about doubting beliefs. The importance is in understanding the infinite regress that inevitably comes about in Nihlism. It shows the contradiction of life that we all live in.


 


 




You are great!!!
Any country would be worth living at with you as a president!


 


 




I've never typed nihilism into a search engine before now. How wierd to find someone descirbing so many of my own thoughts.

There are problems with 'I' though. I think I'm only half way there. I feel so totally the meaningless of life and yet I'm still holding onto my old ways. I spent a long time getting rid of my emotions, how much easier would existence be if I didn't feel? But then I did horrible things to the people around me. So I went back half way. It hurts me and I can't yet find a level place for very long.

I have answer to why I don't kill myself. Because I'm getting better. Fuck that sounds depressing. I'm really quite a happy person, but no one would think that form reading this. Have any nihilists ever noticed how the people around them who don't know how you feel see your outer appearance but have very little idea of the nothing you feel?


 


 




Cool site, thanks for making it on a Mac.

Dawn


 


 




Good page. But what the hell does the fact that you like genitals have to do with ANYTHING? That made me laugh. You are as funny as the "world." Do you think that The Matrix made nihilism trendy? And how the hell DO you pronounce Nietzsche?


 


 




Is "nothing" sacred?


 


 




You might want to include Where the Buffalo roam his prequal to Fear and loathing


 


 




I like cheese


 


 




Where can I meet other nihilists like me? I live in the Los Angeles area. me


 


 




I WOULD NOT CLAIM MYSELF AS A NIHILIST I'M NOT FULLY APATHETIC BUT I DO DENY ANYTHING THAT IS ECCENTRIC TOWARDS SOCIETY SUCH AS RAP,POP CULTURE,RELEIGION,REPUBLICANS STUFF LIKE THAT I LISTEN TO INDUSTRIAL MUSIC AND TECHNO ACID AND ANY THING THAT THE WORLD WOULD LIKE TO ABOLISH . THAT IS HOW I CONSIDER NIHILISM.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS YOU CAN REACH ME AT
jonathan_krue11@hotmail.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME !!


 


 




I agree with a lot of the things on your site but do you really not care about anything? Wouldn't you care if your friends died and wouldn't you feel any guilt about killing an innocent person?


 


 




Hi there,
Here's a suggestion for the NIHILIST WEB LINKS page.

http://www.obsina-tees.com/merchant/index.htm

Thanks.
J.C.
BMF
obSINa-tees


 


 




Please include more of those childhood stories. They are the best. I especially liked the swimming in the shower story.

Here's a story for you.
It takes place on Long Island, New York during a summer in the '70s My little brother Johnny was selling a stolen shotgun to another kid for fifty dollars in the back of the deserted elementary school playground. After the transaction took place, these two undercover cops came out of the bushes and one of them Kung Fu-ed Johnny.They took him to jail or wherever it is they take bad kids to. So my father went down to claim Johnny from the authorities, and on the way home my father took Johnny to McDonald's. There Johnny reached into his underwear and pulled out the fifty dollars. So my father took the fifty dollars from Johnny and said he was gonna use it to pay for Johnny's lawyer. thanks for an interesting site.
Patti


 


 




if at all possible could you send me any information you may have on "the untitled Radiohead project" thank you for the help its greatly apreiciated.


 


 




Even after all of these years and breakthroughs, we still are judged by our appearance! People are still scared of change or anything even remotely different from their pathetically normal view of the world! The boundaries between men and women still exist, and the machismo bullshit of mankind is certainly prevelant in today's society! When will people pull themselves out of the woods and accept everyone for who they are! I won't even get into religion, I will just say that people are sheep, blind to follow anything that seems to give them hope from their own pathetic existance! They travel in packs, feel safer in numbers, safe in the fact that they can point the finger at anyone as long as it's not themselves! Mankind as a whole is prejudice and weak, feeling safer in their own righteousness than anything else!


 


 




I think that no one could be a true nihilist. It's easy to see how nothing matters, but to actually live by it 100% is very hard because of your emotions and shit like that in your brain. I think we are like computer programs being updated every second of our life. We feel like we are in control, because we are ther programs, but really our environment has the control. Every single choice you make and thought you have, is the result of all of your past experiences put together and maybe your biological make up. There is no soal or none of that shit. There can't be any heaven or hell because everyones actions and thoughts are justified by their past. How could you be punished for the way you were created? tell me what you think.

Randy


 


 




LIFE AINT NUTHIN BUT BITCHES AND
MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I BELIEVE IN ANARCHY DEATH OF ALL AND EVERYTHING.


 


 




Sun.6:15 pm 6/4/00

Well, this is certainly a different site. I like it. I like the stuff you say. Don't agree with everything, but....... Have often thought of nihilism but never did anything about it. Now, maybe I will. thank you for the enlightenment. ( a little bit of zen in there for you) Maybe I'll order something a little later. And though we don't have anything in particular about Nihilism on our webpage, please check it out and we'll probably add something. It's different too. thanks.

http://angelfire.com/fl3/RRP the Lunatic Fringe

ron and rose palozola
roropal@gte.net


 


 




Hi,
Here's a good site for your list :
http://www.obSINa-tees.com/merchant/index.htm


Let me know what you think.

SINcerely,
J.C.
BMF
obSINa-tees


 


 




I was happy to find that I instantly related to most of your points and doctrines and etc. Happy revelations for a bored teenager. There was one obstacle that I could not quite overcome, though. How can you not like poor little Paul McCartney? All he did was write pretty little love songs so people would like him! Besides, he wrote a vaguely nihilistic song himself on 1966's Revolver, though he probably didn't mean to. 'For No One' talks about the futility of doing most things when you've given up on love. Aw. Other than that little slip up though, it was a pleasure reading your thoughts on life.




 

 

Comments as of 5-29-2000

 

 




I was happy to find that I instantly related to most of your points and doctrines and etc. Happy revelations for a bored teenager. There was one obstacle that I could not quite overcome, though. How can you not like poor little Paul McCartney? All he did was write pretty little love songs so people would like him! Besides, he wrote a vaguely nihilistic song himself on 1966's Revolver, though he probably didn't mean to. 'For No One' talks about the futility of doing most things when you've given up on love. Aw.

Other than that little slip up though, it was a pleasure reading your thoughts on life.


 


 




I am very interested in all different types of philosophies, theories, etc. And before I ask my questions, I would like to say something that may or may not be useful:

I was looking at your definition/explanation of nihilism and a question was asked "Isn't Nihilism a belief system? Don't you believe in Nihilism? " Well, couldn't nihilism be an idea, not a belief? Ideas are changable.

Anyway, my questions:

+ Does the film Fight Club portray nihilism?
+ In nihilism, is their a difference between knowing and believing? Could someone know there is a god, not believe?
+ How do you pronounce "Nietzsche"
+ Why is nihilism often refrenced with communism or nazism?

Thanks


 


 


Dear Mr. Shapiro:

Just a quick note to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your Nihilist's Corner website. It was insighful and quite amusing. To those that don't "get it" or can't understand the concept of Nihilism... well, I hope to have the pleasure of directing someone to it sometime! LOL!

Best regards from the East Coast,
Keith David Reeves
Composer, Designer

 


 


petty dreams of forgotten youth who seem to only forget themselves ..a time where rich suburbanites rape the meek and poor idealism, subcultures and attitudes that were brought upon by the disgust of you in 20 years......nietzche shitting himself in his grave
fuck off white boy


 


 


Mr. Shapiro

I can believe that anyone takes you seriously! I thought your site was hilarious, and whoever said that Nietzsche was a nihilist really ought to actually READ his works first before using his name. I somehow stumbled upon this site, falling through the void. How telling it is that a Jewish man such as you, Mr. Shapiro, should concoct such a website, sprinkled nicely with the right amount of irony. Don't think I'm an anti-Semite, because I am not in the least. I think it is very telling however. Keep up the good work!
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha etc. (forever- just like the non-existent God laughs always and forever.)

-Anon the Great


 


 


AND I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE IN MY VOID.
HOME AT LAST!!!!!!
NOTHING IS TRUE, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

ALLA VOID

 


 



THE BELIEF IN NOTHING IS ONLY A BELIEF WHEN IT'S NOT A BELIEF.


 


 


this site has entirely too much meaning.

~His Holy Nedness

post script: Nothing is everything and everything is nothing.

 


 




Dear nihilist ltd.,
Interesting site, I agree with a lot of what you're saying but in your reference page you seem to be lacking the most important and influential people in nihilism. I.e. Friedrich NIETZSCHE. Although he thought christianity was a form of nihilism as it represents the weakening of the human subject (and its consequences), he nonetheless thought that nihilism itself was a weakness. But it was Nietzsche who destroyed the notions, especially, of God ("God is Dead"), and with it morality. He created nihilism though he then criticised it.

Following Nietzsche, Maurice Blanchot wrote considerably on nihilism ('Reflections on nihilism' - from The Limit Experience). His conclusion was that nihilism was in fact impossible, though of course not denying that morals, values, beliefs etc., were all illusions. Once you hit the edge, you turn back again. In destroying the world (of conceptions), one inadvertently creates a new world of freedom, and freedom is a new value (though it cannot be grounded).

Both thinkers affirm the paradox, that's why Alice in Wonderland, as you mention, is such a great piece of work emphasizing the absurdity of the world we live in by the deceiver that is language. Deleuze wrote about this (in 'The Logic of Sense'), and so this book would be another worth including in your bibliography.

Truth is a lie, but one thing is true, however, as NIETZSCHE put it; art is truth (it is the only illusion which admits itself as an illusion). Anyway, read on!

Pete Hughes,
BA philosophy, London, UK.

 


 


Cool stuff here....I think i found what i was looking for in my whole life....u people should create a nihilist government....that'd be great...



 


To Field Marshal Elisha Shapiro and the Nihilists: Cool site. Here are my thoughts on the subject of nihilism. I hope this serves as an object of amusement. I have considered myself a nihilist for some time, as it seems the dictionary definition fits my outlook pretty well. Though I live in Wisconsin and therefore unfortunately don't get television show, I enjoyed stumbling upon your site. As it is, I agree with your outlook on most everything. To me morality is merely social conventions ground in superstitions or religious principles- and religion, especially monotheistic doctrines, appear to be a bizarre opiate I do not inhale. For I time a was a Christian, but in my early teens I re-evaluated my belief system and found its very basis repulsed me. Is my sole purpose to glorify a despotic being who demands that I follow its whims or suffer eternally? Assuming God himself died for human salvation, did he die for our sins, or merely to intercept his own distorted need for vengeance upon unconforming objects that they might continue existing for his amusement as groveling peons? And even if God is so good and omnipotent, why did he create his little gambling buddy, Satan, to screw around with us and add even more suffering? As some one once said, "If god is willing to prevent evil but not able, he is not omnipotent. If he is able but not willing, he is malevolent, if he is neither willing nor able, why call him god? No, even if God was true I wouldn't change my mind- like you said, "If there was some guy with a long white beard, sure I'd be surprised, but would it really change anything?" No, it wouldn't change anything for me either. So with these things in mind my quickly changed to idealistic secular humanism... But what are humans in general? Confused, destructive animals that care only for their own survival and amusement, or their own inane beliefs. I think mankind will eventually annihilate itself, either by destroying its environment or just blowing itself up. Everything that is beautiful is being mulched down to create disposable packages, soiled with excrement and grease, or imploded to make more parking lots. There is nothing I can do to prevent this. Everything revolves around the dollar, and anything from ideals to babies to chunks of the planet itself can be sold on some market or another. I have stopped being an idealist and now see life as having no purpose or meaning. I guess that means I'm a nihilist, right? I don't quite accept the idea that I don't exist, but when it comes down to it I will at some point in the future die and fall apart and rot in the dirt until everything I am or ever was reverts to nothingness. And what is time but a perception of our own senses and machinations; a rough unit of measurement.? (Like you said, the senses can fool you) What does it matter if I exist or not, as I, like all other things, must eventually fall into the void. Would it make anydifference if we are already there? So is it possible to live without believing in anything? Why not? A lot of people tell me if they looked at life as I do, they'd just kill people and jump off buildings and cry all the time and eventually kill themselves. I have no motivation to do any of those things. In fact, I seem pretty normal- a nice guy even.

Why? Is it possible to survive without beliefs? Well, we all have to make assumptions in order to survive, for instance accepting that we must eat or cope with unpleasant hunger pangs- or that if we don't life up the toilet seat, we'll urinate on the floor, and if it is not cleaned up it will leave a stain and an odor that we do not like. There are plenty of cause and effect reactions that we can't say we "believe" in. But what significance are they? Is belief in nothing a belief? What came first the chicken or the egg? Who the hell cares!? My head hurts and tomorrow I must go to sell another small chunk of the remainder of "my life".

Oh JoY, oH jOy WhAt FUN LIfe iS!!!

NihilistFerret@bla-bla.com

-Thomas


 


 


I think it is a great site that exposes the truth (if "truth" even exists).

I recommend reading The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury, which has many stories that explore nihilism.

 


 


though i realize writing a thank you letter to a nihilist will be meaningless, i feel an urge to share my beleifs and a thank you note seemed liked a logical method. i would like to thank you and other nihilists who have made their oppinions open to the public through the internet. applying nihilist concepts to certain aspects of my life has made it much more enjoyable to live. i, like yourself, was and am often confused by people who get hung up on certain imaginary concepts like "cheating is bad." I have eliminated my concerns over other's emotions and opinions, over right and wrong, and over what makes me happy. now, my personal pursuit of happiness is constant and unhindered. i also find it much easier, in general, to make myself happy, due to the fact that i find more ironic and amusing. so anyway, thanks for making it easier. oh yes, and i inherited this annoying habit of my mothers to seriously consider and turn over in my mind everything that was said to me. i have completly done away with being upset or pleased by what others say now. in other words, i have found self contained happiness.

thanks. your stuff is fun to read and ponder. i am a happy man. nate


 


 




I was thinking about nihilism, I have looked at many meanings of nihilism. I am not a nihilist, however. I have seen God do things to people that nihilism will never explain. I have seen people uncontrollably cry from nowhere. It happened to me once when I prayed in church. I have seen people laugh so hard they pass out. That has never happened to me. I would like to call that anointment, a gift, a vision, but God does exist. I try not to destroy peoples beliefs, if someone does that they have insecurities. I am a devoted anarchist though, no man deserves to be above another man. The only person that should be ruling man is God. I really have nothing else to say on that subject.
Aaron Buchanan

By the way if I am diluted or hardheaded, so what. I like the way I am I question everything. I'm tired of people telling me I have either too much angst or the devil has gotten me. If you don't like the way I am don't offer my opinions.
Aaron

 


 



i just wanted to ask about the guy with the shaved balls. Is this a statement of not believing in hair?

And what happens when you stop believing in skin? Or possibly your liver?


 


 



What is Nihilism all about. I would like to know more, however, I cannot seem to find anything specific to this topic.



 



hi did you ever hear of rosanov's definition of nihilism(that's what vaneigm calls it)? it's
"the show is over
the audience gets up to leave
time to collect their coats and go home they turn
around- no more coats and no more home"
but who is rosanov?
couldn't find anything
need a link so please mail
bye


 


 




you guys are seriously messed up in the head! You don't make any sense at all. Look at everything around you...how can you say that there is not a God! How can you guys live with yourselves...you must be depressed all the time and want to die. Why don't you just kill yourselves if your life is meaningless. Believeing in nothing is a belief in itself. You say your families are just people that you resent and wouldn't be friends if they weren't so codependant on eachother...my family is the most important thing in my life and i don't know what i would do without them, i feel bad for u, your families must hate you. Your mother gave you the gift of life and all you guys do is sit around and feel sorry for yourselves and tell eachother that your life is meaningless... GET OFF OF YOUR ASS AND DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE WITH YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!! YOU GUYS ARE A BUNCH OF BABIES WHO WANT ATTENTION. GET OVER YOURSELVES AND QUITE TRYING TO RUIN OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!! The world could be alot worse but instead of thinking how much worse it could be why not think how much better it is.

That's all i have to say. You guys piss me off!


 


 



Hello, my name is Emily. I just stumbled across this page. I myself do not believe (or disbelieve) in Nihilism, but I do find it very interesting. If anyone could e-mail their thoughts on this subject, I would greatly appreciate it. I am looking for topics for my senior thesis, and this seems to be the one. Again, I would appreciate any feedback...

wombatcoop@aol.com


 


 




I'd appreciate any comments you may be able to give re- our pages below (pastiche and general confusion being rules of thumb).If not I enjoyed the site not as pretentius as others.
fraternally sissy

http://members.aol.com/maslowsprole/
http://members.aol.com/lumpenilluminate


 


 




i was wondering how you feel about law and the government. if you are a true nihilist-- i would think you wouldn't care (like i do). what laws would you say you break on a regular basis-LIKE shoplifting or going thru red lights--which i both do frequently+++tell me how you feel
thanks, great links site+++++DR:a

 

 


 

 

Comments as of 3-20-2000

 

 


 


keep up the good work
sissy http://members.aol.com/maslowsprole/
and www.onelist.com/group/cultofthepersonality



 


Isn't believing in nothing a belief in itself?

 


 


I will try to make this as brief as possible. I need to somehow get involved with other people who want to destroy the war-machine. I can not do it alone. Any information that you could tell me about organizations, groups and anything else would help. FUCK IT ALL

Hoole123
hoole123@mailcity.com

 


 


Your nihilism beliefs are not very impressive, with all due respect. To be fair, I may be looking for something a little more hardcore and extreme. So you: (A) claim not to believe in anything (B) reject God (C) think the universe is meaningless.

You seem to have 'look at me, I'm different, I'm a nihilist' attitude which I find lacks sincerity. You have a 'look, I'm anti-establishment' way of answering questions. Sort of like the kids who do outrageous things to be different so they can fit in.

You have values; that is obvious. To say you don't believe in anything is a crock. A true nihilist wouldn't have values about Mick Jagger and guns and whatever. He would be indifferent to it all. You don't kill people because you still have guilt, and humanism, and your conscious wouldn't allow that. Also, there would also be penalties you would have to face, and is one of your values is to avoid pain. If you don't believe in anything, you wouldn't care if you live or die, and I bet you care. Believing you don't exist is silly, to put it kindly. If you like art, you see value in art, and you believe in art.

Perhaps you are playing with semantics and using Descartes to argue that we know nothing, thus, you believe in nothing. To believe in nothing is indeed a belief system. You value nothing. You believe in nothing. You think nothing is the way.

I took the time to write because you give nihilists a bad name. A true nihilist would care about nothing and no one except his continued existence and the absence of pain because we are all born human. If you believe in nothing, do it. Do nothing. Prove you don't care. Prove your apathy. Prove your indifference. Take your life over the meaninglessness. Labeling yourself a nihilist is disrespectful who really are. You might be at the elementary school level on your way to a Ph.D. of Nihilism. If you believe n nothing, then believe it and go for it.

Jill

 


 


Dear Elisha,

I don't think you doubt enough. Maybe you should begin down that road again -- maybe every day you should doubt newer and wilder things in the universe -- and maybe someday even doubt yourself!

-- Dave Schneider

 


 


Nihilism sets us free to be contradictory. We can be hypocrites. We are free!!!

 


 


Nihilism's true strength, and thus beauty, comes from the fact that it contradicts itself, consequently affirming man's intrinsic hypocritical nature. From this realization of hypocrisy man is set free to explore the landscapes of our heart and mind without fear of losing ourselves to crackpotismness.

We must not be ashamed of hypocrisy. We cannot deny its existence in ourselves. We must embrace it. That's true freedom.


 


lets run for the 2000 election ... regards ... ron rancid ...
Nihilistics ... check out www.nihilistics.com ... Nihilistics

 


 


To all of you Netheads who wrote to wonder how nihilists can believe in their own philosophy--I have to admit I've got the same problem with the whole concept. But aren't you forgetting the other sense of the word "nihilism"? What about the belief that the universe may well exist after all--but if it does, it doesn't matter? I've been living with this belief for The-Great-Hypothetical-knows how long now and it's the one thing that is keeping me sane. Who cares if this piece of space junk we call Earth is a mistake or somebody's idea of a bad joke! Who cares if living is just our DNA's way of jacking off!! It doesn't make one bit of difference in the first place!!! So give another thought to nihilism, people--you don't have to delude yourself or try to ignore such seemingly obvious facts as your own existence--you just have to stop giving a damn one way or the other. When Buddha said that the end of suffering can only come with the end of desire, his is what he meant. See if you can't live with that. (If you do try to embrace my form of nihilism, and you find it self-contradictory after all, at least the contradiction won't bother you anymore....)

--Alpha-Prime

 


 


I am writing to question some of the sexual overtones indicated in much of the nihilist reading and many of the comments made by people claiming to be nihilists. Is there a basis for this in the belief system? I am going to give my home e-mail address in hopes of hearing from you soon (I'm writing a paper and would like some first hand accounts of the nihilistic lifestyle.)
Riedee@juno.com. Sincerely,
Maria

 


 


Hi-hi-hi there
Non-extant ones, It's Baalzephon and Omnikron again, And we've been around your page, and seen your comments, we just want to say a few things: 1)COOL! 2) Although Nihilism is "good" don't ever forget that YOU ultimatly make the decisions, if that is extant. For those of you on the Comments page, try and be a little more "open-minded" You too can create your own Values "Ex nihilo" if you only cast off the illusions of belief and purpose.
That's all there is to it.

"SENTEINTE EX NIHILO"

 


 


The noble plane of philosophy has been, in general, hideously malformed, not by nihilism, but by people who call themselves nihilists.

Almost every one I've met is a hypocritical, egotistical, self worshipping jerk. What a shame. It's an amazing state of enlightenment.

 


 


To the people who insist that believing in nihilism is contradictory: are you the same ignoramuses who spent entire days wondering about how you can never do nothing, because nothing is something? Don't get caught up in "isms". Watch "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". Get a life. It's not a philosophy, it's a personal way of life. The core of nihilism itself gives you the choice to believe or not believe in what you want. I don't believe nihilism is sitting around doing nothing and saying "What the hell. Nothing matters." Nihilism is the freedom to choose what you believe, not because society tells you this is right and that is wrong, but because it is your own personal feeling that this is something you should do and this is something you shouldn't. The world would be a much better place of Chuck Palahniuk was required reading in schools, especially "Fight Club", which is not about fighting. Anyone who says it is about fighting is more deluded than any of the nihilists "believing" in things. I don't believe there is a God, but I do believe organized religion has been the cause of more evils in this world than any other factor. I believe religion stems from a basic human need to explain things they cannot understand, rather than not worry about things they cannot understand. I believe science and technology, however, can and should be understood, and have no problems with them. Of course, it depends on the extreme things are taken to. When the coffee machine is linked to the alarm clock to start brewing exactly 13 hours after I start masturbating, maybe things are getting out of hand. Or maybe that's just the future of good sex. Whatever. I do not believe in commercialism and consumerism. My style of decorating is severely minimalist, and more people would be better off if they did the same. There is no fixation on "stuff". I am not defined as a person by the crappy trinkets I have amassed in my life. Anyone who enters my room is forced to focus only on the people standing in the room, and what they are doing. That is how a person's character should be measured. Not by the money they have, or what they buy with it.

Nihilism gives everyone opportunity to have the same freedom.

-Matt

 


 


your site is dope! I like the wacky World of Belief. I wisg there were more!

I read mikes comment
that guy is a morrron
nothing is nothing

by definition nothing is nothin so belief in nothing is no belief! what an ass! i guess he doesn't get it.

sull

 


 


I have recently looked up the definition of this word nihilism, and I am astonished to find a belief system ( if you can call it that) that so closely describes the way I think. What you have written on the web page seems all too familiar.

Are you an organization, or a single person that I can email?

 


 


(please pardon my spelling, I have trouble caring when I'm emailing) Hello, my name is Robin. I have been reading more of your webpage and I'm starting to think that we could be the same person. I feel that we have basically the same train of thought concerning a lot of things. I'm very excited. A thought on nihilism that I had is that true nihilists do not purely believe in nothing, but understand that we don't have enough information to construct an accurate belief in anything. Any belief has to stem from somewhere, and in order for that to be true there would have to be a basic underlying truth. Since there is no such thing (as far as I can see), I don't see how any of our societies truths have a ground to stand on. Also all of what people commonly believe is right and wrong are determined by our senses and perception of the world. Bad is when it hurts and good is dopamine. This is what we base right and wrong from? If there is some fundamental truth out there (I don't think there is) I don't believe that we as people could ever know what it was. And if there was I find it unlikely that it would find absolute agreement (if any at all) with what our nervous system has come up with. Well, I've gone on longer than I thought I would. I could keep on going but there wouldn't be much point.

I also have done a lot of acid. I find it puts me into a state of concentrated thought. I believe it is partially responsible for my current philosophy. I would like it if you would email me back.

Sincerely,
Robin

 


 


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