If you want to have your cake and eat it too with absurdism and a non-indifferent universe, check out the book of Ecclesiastes from the Hebrew wisdom literature. The author writes like there is an intelligent, caring order to reality, but it is so large and unknowable that it gives the impression of a chaotic and meaningless existence. The only solution is to simply be happy when you're happy, sad when you're sad, and know that you're not meant to understand it.
Nostalgia I think can be a dangerous thing, because it idealizes imperfect times and draws away from the current moment. It's inherently 'Aλγος'. I find that it helps to remind myself that someday I'll be nostalgic for moments that haven't passed yet, but I'm still too nostalgic I think.
A large source of meaninglessness comes from (increasingly mandatory) convenience. What value does anything have when you can be gratified pretty immediately? Japan has this culture of ceremony that rails against the policy of convenience, but how much more special is anything when there's ritual involved? What's the difference between a hand-poured coffee and coffee from a machine? What's the difference between an Mp3 and a vinyl record? A movie streamed to your phone and a night out at the theater? The market suggests that we want instant gratification, but I don't think we really do. You exercise your soul when you participate in your pleasures with intention.
The mix of absurdism x a non-indifferent universe definitely sounds up my alley, I'll check out the book!
I agree about nostalgia being a dangerous thing because of that, but I always think it's best to accept it as part of life and see it as an inevitable and in some ways beautiful part of your life experience if you can. I guess that maybe sounds a bit stoic? Or am I just romanticising? But fighting against it and trying to reason against being nostalgic never worked for me, so that's the best I can do.
Also very interesting point about meaninglessness and convenience, I never thought about it! I love your last point about exercising your soul when you participate in these things with intention :)
If you want to have your cake and eat it too with absurdism and a non-indifferent universe, check out the book of Ecclesiastes from the Hebrew wisdom literature. The author writes like there is an intelligent, caring order to reality, but it is so large and unknowable that it gives the impression of a chaotic and meaningless existence. The only solution is to simply be happy when you're happy, sad when you're sad, and know that you're not meant to understand it.
Nostalgia I think can be a dangerous thing, because it idealizes imperfect times and draws away from the current moment. It's inherently 'Aλγος'. I find that it helps to remind myself that someday I'll be nostalgic for moments that haven't passed yet, but I'm still too nostalgic I think.
A large source of meaninglessness comes from (increasingly mandatory) convenience. What value does anything have when you can be gratified pretty immediately? Japan has this culture of ceremony that rails against the policy of convenience, but how much more special is anything when there's ritual involved? What's the difference between a hand-poured coffee and coffee from a machine? What's the difference between an Mp3 and a vinyl record? A movie streamed to your phone and a night out at the theater? The market suggests that we want instant gratification, but I don't think we really do. You exercise your soul when you participate in your pleasures with intention.
The mix of absurdism x a non-indifferent universe definitely sounds up my alley, I'll check out the book!
I agree about nostalgia being a dangerous thing because of that, but I always think it's best to accept it as part of life and see it as an inevitable and in some ways beautiful part of your life experience if you can. I guess that maybe sounds a bit stoic? Or am I just romanticising? But fighting against it and trying to reason against being nostalgic never worked for me, so that's the best I can do.
Also very interesting point about meaninglessness and convenience, I never thought about it! I love your last point about exercising your soul when you participate in these things with intention :)