The meaning of it all...?

[Baqal]

I was pondering this, possibly one of the oldest questions in the history, for... three months, I think? And... I have come to a conclusion. When it comes to life as a whole I simply can't see anything that is supposed to give it meaning. Now, you might think that this might sound depressed and pessimistic and all, but I'll kindly disagree with that. You might even confuse meaning with purpose. While I agree that life is meaningless, I won't agree that it is purposeless. Our major purpose, obviously, being to make the land we live in a better place for others, spread good values and procreate. The human species might get a plus because, unlike the other animals of our biosphere, we have the ability to think above what we will do today. Consciousness does make us look more special when compared to the other animals that live together with us, but that isn't the reason to put thick boundaries between "human" and "animal". We are relatively close to receiving the behavior that we characteristically apply to animals, if the pedestals that are holding our weight snap, and the stability of our society drastically drops and... everything just goes to shit, I guess. As I am not a prophet, not a "real" prophet, so to say, I do not know when this day will come, but will it come eventually? Who knows.
Humans can assign purpose to their lives and ambitiously fulfill whatever goal they desire. If the goal is positive to other people around them, they can even leave a mark on this planet and hopefully give a good example to future generations. This seems like a loop to me. And I simply fail to see any meaning in it. And that doesn't make me sad at all. It even motivates me to find it, if that is even possible. I could even say that life, being so vast and complicated and at the same time so random, harsh and meaningless at the same time is fascinating.
So yeah. I might consider myself a existential nihilist. Maybe? I'd now like to hear what you guys think about this.

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I'd also like to animate something. Give me some ideas and, through a little bit of magic, I might do it!

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[FreeTony]

I agree.

Bollocks like "There must be some meaning to it all" or "There must be something greater" makes people sound like idiots if they don't qualify it with some actual reason.

[Tonus]

I think that we make our own meaning and purpose. It doesn't have to be 'true' in the sense of having some greater meaning. Our brains are wired to accept lots of things that aren't true and defend them bitterly, even when we logically understand that they're false (example: phobias). If you can replace some of the unproductive ideas in your subconscious with productive ones, then all the better. You can enjoy life more and leave a worthwhile legacy for whoever is still here, regardless of what it means in the greater scheme of things.

I enjoy life because I have always convinced myself that it is there to be enjoyed. That may be shallow or facile, but it doesn't dampen my enjoyment one bit. How many people actively seek to be disillusioned with life, or determined not to enjoy it?

[Chad32]

The meaning of life is a personal question that only you can answer. The meaning of my life is different from other people's. I know this question is meant to be deep, philosophical, and possibly unanswerable, but it's always been a simple question to me. The only problem is when people think there's some universal meaning that pertains to everyone.

[Diablo]

From an evolutionary point of view the meaning is to stay alive until you've passed your genes on to the next generation.

From an individual point of view the best you can do is survive, hopefully mostly intact, and enjoy yoiur life in whatever way you can while spreading sweetness and light, and taking care of the planet for the next generation.

I really don't think there is any higher meaning than that. We're just animals, rising above being animals.

[Baqal]

Good responses so far, I'm looking forward to more. Can someone give me an idea on what to animate? Bored.

[vorlon13]

I believe it was Carl Sagan who noted humanity is how the universe can come to know itself.

Somedays, that works for me, and sometimes it don't . . .

[Diablo]

Good responses so far, I'm looking forward to more. Can someone give me an idea on what to animate? Bored.

Find some pictures of attractive young women, or men, or whatever turns you on.....

[Baqal]

Find some pictures of attractive young women, or men, or whatever turns you on.....:D

I couldn't resist.

[Chad32]

You showed that uncencored!? Think of the children!