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John Byrne
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Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 136839
Posted: 14 August 2026 at 10:57am | IP Logged | 1 post reply

This is a term I learned just minutes ago. Here’s what the internet has to say about it:

“Optimistic nihilism is the idea that a life with no inherent cosmic meaning or grand purpose is actually liberating. Instead of feeling sad that nothing matters, you realize you are totally free to enjoy the present moment, let go of big worries, and choose your own happiness.”

Curiously enough, I have been embracing this concept, without knowing its name, for well over half my life, ever since I learned of the so-called Existential Dilemma:

• We’re alone in the universe (no gods watching over us)

• Life has no meaning (but we can give life purpose)

• Death is inevitable (it comes to all things, and is nothing to fear)

You’re welcome.

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Doug Centers
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 12:07pm | IP Logged | 2 post reply

Well, yesterday my Mom, who was brought up Roman Catholic, asked me for the first time straight up "do you believe in God?"
After warning her you should never talk religion and politics to family I told her 'I do not believe in any  gods'.
She said "ok thank you, Love you".

I'm pretty sure she knew all along.
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John Byrne
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Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 12:49pm | IP Logged | 3 post reply

When asked why I don’t believe in god(s), I paraphrase Baldrick in BLACK ADDER BACK AND FORTH: “short answer, Common Sense.”

When asked the long answer I say “using Common Sense.”

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Vinny Valenti
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 2:12pm | IP Logged | 4 post reply

I like it. It's a much grander scale of something that for years I've said about the way I think - Expect the worst, but hope for the best.
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Brian Miller
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Joined: 28 July 2004
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 2:46pm | IP Logged | 5 post reply

Nihilists? Fuck me…
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Michael Penn
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 3:08pm | IP Logged | 6 post reply

This perspective also has the benefit of cultivating much-needed humility.


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Joe Gravel
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Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: Canada
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 5:15pm | IP Logged | 7 post reply

I came across this term around a year or so ago and find the concept very comforting.
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John Byrne
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Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 6:01pm | IP Logged | 8 post reply

In my teens I adopted a verse from the chorus of the musical ZORBA!

“Life is what we do while we’re waiting to die.”

Friends said it was pessimistic, but it struck me as a very positive attitude.

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Michael Penn
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 7:03pm | IP Logged | 9 post reply

Indeed! That's why Kazantzakis altered the traditional cry of "freedom or death" to "freedom and death"...!
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Michael Penn
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Posted: 14 August 2026 at 7:05pm | IP Logged | 10 post reply

And here's a bit from Mary Worth back in 1956:
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