Nihilism is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless.” In reading this, you may find yourself passionately rejecting this philosophy or agreeing with it entirely. My viewpoint is by and large somewhere in between, and that is why I decided to start chipping away at this article. 

Let’s say nihilism is correct, nothing matters, and everything is indeed meaningless (a representation of meaning, a simulacrum perhaps). In this case, nihilism is encompassed in “everything,” and therefore, nihilism doesn’t matter. The main obstacle to proving that nihilism is meaningless is that it may not be true, and it may be false. Yes, there could actually be meaning to our existence. Well in that case, why should I care about some bonehead who says there isn’t?

Pondering I: Simulacra. As I touched on earlier, a simulacrum is essentially a representation of meaning: it purports to mean something, but has no substance or “real” meaning. It now encompasses our world like a hamster on a treadwheel. Slowly chipping away at the meaning in our lives, it turns reality into hyperreality. It encircles all realms (politics, education, and religion), making it impossible to escape from this system of false meaning. In the not-too-distant future, a lone soul may find itself standing at a precipice of the real; the bridge between the meaningful and the meaningless which is slowly chipped away by the metaphysical waves of the monoculture. At this point, the preimage (true meaning) and image (simulacra) have become one: not just congruent, but unconditionally interchangeable. 

Pondering II: But why are simulacra encroaching on every aspect of our lives? The answer, my friend, is the monoculture. Like the simulacrum (representation of meaning), the monoculture encircles us from inside and out, destroying all creativity and difference. As Plato said, “Within the confines of a singular culture lie the perils of a stagnant mind”. That stagnant mind has slowly encompassed all of us, chipping away at the very last bits of our enlightenment. The thing is, Plato didn’t actually say that. But what difference does it really make? The sign “Plato” has become nothing but a simulacrum of himself. An ultra-commodified, metaphysical symbol with no deeper meaning or substance. This serves as an allegory for the same phenomenon that is appearing in every section of our culture. Soon, there will be no true meaning left, only the front-facing appearance of meaning.

Pondering III: To take back the bits of meaning that are still left, we must stand up and fight back against the matrix of conformity. The modern battles between “left” and “right,” and the like are just tools to keep the proletariat subjugated by the oligarchy. To rise up and seize the means of production, we must transcend partisan labels and reject the consumerist philosophy that has been shoved down our throats. Scholars of CRLS: you must unite against this tyranny! Free yourselves!

This article also appears in our March 2024 print edition.