Nihilism Walks Through Nowhere
A dusty road he would have never imagined his mismatched shoes gracing stretched before him like fate, another thing he knew didn’t matter. He didn’t believe, period, but he did remember. The crater stood in the same place dozens had fled from years ago. Nihilism had been mayor here in his teens, after all. He was so young. Not one to fall into the black pit of nostalgia, he walked on.
Showing posts with label nihilism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nihilism. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Nihilism Propagates
Cast:
Stylometry-- studying literature by means of statistical analysis
Pragmatism—“a practical approach to problems and affairs” or a doctrine “marked by the doctrines that the meaning of conceptions is to be sought in their practical bearings” (Merriam-Webster)
Nihilism—the belief in nothing
Utilitarianism— “a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences”
(Merriam-Webster)
Psychology—the study of the mind
Nihilism Propagates
Stylometry had been sharing her observations about the length of sentences in David Hume’s work versus that of Charles Dickens’ when those assembled had decided desperately to change the subject. Pragmatism, backed by a slightly tired Utilitarianism, had started an argument about the inconvenience of believing in nothing when the individual clearly was when Nihilism rose, seemingly put out.
“Where are you going?” Pragmatism leaned back in his seat with his black, milked tea.
“I have to go spend time with my kid.”
Pragmatism could hardly believe himself, “Why do you have a kid?”
Nihilism shot him a scathing look, “How do kids normally come about? I had sex with Epistemology. I thought at the time that I could learn something, but in the end she knows about as much as the rest of you.”
“Which is?” asked Psychology, amused and already sure of the answer.
“Nothing.”
After he left, no one felt like continuing a conversation wherein the primary antagonist had disappeared. Psychology appeared thoughtful, examining a split end of her honey-colored hair with vague interest.
“He’s probably very angry in bed,” she commented. Utilitarianism was made singularly uncomfortable by this forward comment, and wandered out of the room.
Stylometry-- studying literature by means of statistical analysis
Pragmatism—“a practical approach to problems and affairs” or a doctrine “marked by the doctrines that the meaning of conceptions is to be sought in their practical bearings” (Merriam-Webster)
Nihilism—the belief in nothing
Utilitarianism— “a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences”
(Merriam-Webster)
Psychology—the study of the mind
Nihilism Propagates
Stylometry had been sharing her observations about the length of sentences in David Hume’s work versus that of Charles Dickens’ when those assembled had decided desperately to change the subject. Pragmatism, backed by a slightly tired Utilitarianism, had started an argument about the inconvenience of believing in nothing when the individual clearly was when Nihilism rose, seemingly put out.
“Where are you going?” Pragmatism leaned back in his seat with his black, milked tea.
“I have to go spend time with my kid.”
Pragmatism could hardly believe himself, “Why do you have a kid?”
Nihilism shot him a scathing look, “How do kids normally come about? I had sex with Epistemology. I thought at the time that I could learn something, but in the end she knows about as much as the rest of you.”
“Which is?” asked Psychology, amused and already sure of the answer.
“Nothing.”
After he left, no one felt like continuing a conversation wherein the primary antagonist had disappeared. Psychology appeared thoughtful, examining a split end of her honey-colored hair with vague interest.
“He’s probably very angry in bed,” she commented. Utilitarianism was made singularly uncomfortable by this forward comment, and wandered out of the room.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Geology Makes a Friend
Cast:
Geology—study of the Earth’s crust
Psychology—study of the mind
Cetology—study of whales and dolphins
Nihilism— the denial of all real existence or the possibility of an objective basis for truth
Theology-- study of religion and religious doctrine
Geology Makes a Friend
Every seat was taken. Geology carried his drink gingerly, looking for somewhere to sit, hating himself for coming to a fast-paced party in the first place. He was much more comfortable in small gatherings, or even at outside festivals, but crammed-in house parties made him claustrophobic and nervous. Psychology could always talk him into doing things he wasn’t interested in, though.
He went into an adjoining room to find more of the same: bodies crammed into small sofas, or sitting all over the floor. He spotted Nihilism arguing with Theology in a corner. Nihilism had seated himself and his hair gel on the floor in front of a primly disapproving Theology, trying hard to keep her legs covered although she was seated on a hard-backed chair in front of him. Geology felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned, it was Psychology.
“Having fun?” she asked, eyes glittering, “Isn’t it interesting how Nihilism has gained the upper hand by taking the position of the lower person? Just fascinating, isn’t it? I’m sure Feminism would point out the use of the skirt by society to keep women weaker even when in the dominant position, but I guess she could spread ‘em and scare him off if she wanted to. He’s a weird one. Well, hang in there, relax!”
The torrent of talk over, Geology nodded, unexpectedly feeling a little better. He went into the next room, and spied his holy grail, an empty seat. Unfortunately, it was right next to Cetology, who smiled a nervous and self-effacing smile. Forgetting for the moment social hierarchy and his distaste of hearing someone drone on about something he didn’t care about, he sat down and expected the usual litany of whale-related information. Surprisingly, Cetology was silent under his mussy hair and outdated glasses. They stayed like this for a few more minutes. Geology couldn’t take it.
“Aren’t you going to tell me about the humpback, or how sad it is that there are no longer norwhales?” he asked.
“I’m just so glad someone is talking to me,” said Cetology meekly. Geology laughed.
“Want to take a walk around the grounds?” he asked, finally relaxing. Weights seemed to drop from Cetology’s shoulders, as well.
“Maybe we’ll find a Pilocene whale fossil.”
“Maybe.”
And they walked out, cups in hand, chatting amiably. Despite also chatting with a few avant-garde art movements, Psychology glanced at the two figures strolling across the lawn and smiled knowingly.
Geology—study of the Earth’s crust
Psychology—study of the mind
Cetology—study of whales and dolphins
Nihilism— the denial of all real existence or the possibility of an objective basis for truth
Theology-- study of religion and religious doctrine
Geology Makes a Friend
Every seat was taken. Geology carried his drink gingerly, looking for somewhere to sit, hating himself for coming to a fast-paced party in the first place. He was much more comfortable in small gatherings, or even at outside festivals, but crammed-in house parties made him claustrophobic and nervous. Psychology could always talk him into doing things he wasn’t interested in, though.
He went into an adjoining room to find more of the same: bodies crammed into small sofas, or sitting all over the floor. He spotted Nihilism arguing with Theology in a corner. Nihilism had seated himself and his hair gel on the floor in front of a primly disapproving Theology, trying hard to keep her legs covered although she was seated on a hard-backed chair in front of him. Geology felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned, it was Psychology.
“Having fun?” she asked, eyes glittering, “Isn’t it interesting how Nihilism has gained the upper hand by taking the position of the lower person? Just fascinating, isn’t it? I’m sure Feminism would point out the use of the skirt by society to keep women weaker even when in the dominant position, but I guess she could spread ‘em and scare him off if she wanted to. He’s a weird one. Well, hang in there, relax!”
The torrent of talk over, Geology nodded, unexpectedly feeling a little better. He went into the next room, and spied his holy grail, an empty seat. Unfortunately, it was right next to Cetology, who smiled a nervous and self-effacing smile. Forgetting for the moment social hierarchy and his distaste of hearing someone drone on about something he didn’t care about, he sat down and expected the usual litany of whale-related information. Surprisingly, Cetology was silent under his mussy hair and outdated glasses. They stayed like this for a few more minutes. Geology couldn’t take it.
“Aren’t you going to tell me about the humpback, or how sad it is that there are no longer norwhales?” he asked.
“I’m just so glad someone is talking to me,” said Cetology meekly. Geology laughed.
“Want to take a walk around the grounds?” he asked, finally relaxing. Weights seemed to drop from Cetology’s shoulders, as well.
“Maybe we’ll find a Pilocene whale fossil.”
“Maybe.”
And they walked out, cups in hand, chatting amiably. Despite also chatting with a few avant-garde art movements, Psychology glanced at the two figures strolling across the lawn and smiled knowingly.
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