this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2025
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Greentext

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This is a place to share greentexts and witness the confounding life of Anon. If you're new to the Greentext community, think of it as a sort of zoo with Anon as the main attraction.

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[–] Shanmugha@lemmy.world -2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

Nah, that's a road to hell. I will always know this "meaning" is my creation. So either I won't take it seriously or force myself to become dumb enough to believe my own fairy tales

[–] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It's like being immersed in a good movie or game. You know it's not real, but it still has meaning and is worth playing/watching.

[–] Shanmugha@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

Doesn't make sense. I know I am not a game or movie, but realising "I am not this body and not this mind" is something that doesn't happen to most people

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 0 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Nihilism isn't really a philosophy to live by, however. Humans seem to need purpose.

After losing my religion, I struggled with this for a while. I decided that taking care of my people was my purpose and gave my life meaning. None of the rest of it is my responsibility, not the big questions, society, any of it. As long as I'm taking care of my family and helping them be happy, I'm mostly content.

[–] Shanmugha@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I can't comprehend why you are getting downvoted, please take my upvote

Speaking broadly, humans are very much capable of living without purpose, but that needs a stable ground and very balanced system - something that mostly does not taken care of, but that cannot mean to belittle what you are doing - the way you live, it is better than what so many people are doing with their lives (and in many ways much wiser), and I am glad you found the strength and willingness to live as you do. Thank you for living like this

[–] Machinist@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

IDK, I pissed off the hivemind on another post and all my comments have been downvoted. Which is kind of fun, actually. Feels like Lemmy is becoming a real internet community.

Anyhow, yeah. We're capable of living without purpose but I do think most of us need that purpose to feel content. It's a trope, Man's Search for Meaning and Purpose. This is just my answer to it. My answer is a lazy shortcut, I'm kind of over spirituality and most philosophy. If none of it matters, then I pick what matters to me and makes me happy.

I like some people and the natural world the best, I define my purpose as taking care of them. It's a conscious decision but it does actually bring me existential peace.