Conversation

This Tweet was deleted by the Tweet author. Learn more

Can you say more about why “slay Moloch” feels self-determined? This seems related to “nihilism is useless” to me —eg subtly existentialist, like you decide to grant meaning to things pragmatically, because they’re not *really* meaningful otherwise. I agree this leads to nihilism

This Tweet was deleted by the Tweet author. Learn more

Jake Orthwein

@JakeOrthwein

Apr 25

Ah ok this is helpful! Becoming clearer what you’re hung up on. There’s definitely a subtly existentialist thing going on here, and unfortunately David did not finish the page on existentialism.

This Tweet was deleted by the Tweet author. Learn more

David Chapman

@Meaningness

Apr 26

Er, um, I would like to be helpful... [after cracking up at "lolrat," TIL,] I don't know you and these matters can be highly personal, but,

David Chapman

@Meaningness

Apr 26

For most things "transient" does not mean "illusory." Clouds come and go, but when it's raining you get actually wet. Meanings come and go, but when you can be enjoyably useful, you actually make a difference. twitter.com/liminal_warmth

This Tweet is unavailable.

David Chapman

@Meaningness

Apr 26

Meanings are mostly not your feelings (though those may play some role). Meanings involve other people, and circumstances, as much—usually more—than they do you. So mostly you can't and don't choose them. Meanings choose you. (You do get SOME say!) twitter.com/liminal_warmth

This Tweet is unavailable.

David Chapman

@Meaningness

Apr 26

I'm with your Mom :) Find something useful to do that you like doing, and forget about capital-M Meaning. This isn't cope. It's what makes humans magnificent. (Also—I shouldn't say this—but that's where you find capital M. But don't do it for that reason!)

Replying to

and

[Reading this exchange appreciatively, thinking—gosh, what an incredible gift, both from David to you and more broadly for the rest of us to get to listen in. That this kind of conversation can be summoned on a whim and this kind of earnest sense-making shared… we're so lucky!!]

5:38 PM · Apr 26, 2022Twitter Web App

Replying to

and

There should be a patron goddess of twitter to whom we could direct our gratitude for its existence

Bill Seitz of FluxGarden

@BillSeitz

Apr 26

Grimes?

Show replies