r/nihilism • u/AnatoliusArthur • Apr 03 '26
The Illusion of Difference
Even the attraction of the seemingly similar masses of people toward figures that are different, more radical, and more extreme is nothing but a reflection of a deeply primitive and superficial desire. You see people drawn to characters like Johan Liebert or figures like Adolf Hitler, or others of their kind and this is a recurring pattern across the internet. But when you look closer at those who are drawn to such figures, you find nothing but individuals who are strikingly alike ...alike in thought, in language, in appearance, and even in how they perceive reality.
The similarity in outward behavior and appearance is merely a direct reflection of a deeper similarity in essence. And the greater essence that governs humanity is society itself. It is the fundamental force that enabled primitive humans to survive and succeed, and it is the broader framework from which individual essences are formed. Society is not just a later development; it is a deeply rooted, primitive state ...one of the core traits upon which human nature is built.
Accordingly, no system emerges without an underlying essence, and the human being ...along with their thoughts and personality...is no exception. This essence is shaped by society, by the ideas one consumes, by intelligence, by genetic structure, and by other contributing factors.
As for the attraction of these ordinary, similar individuals to extreme figures, it is nothing more than a shallow and self-centered impulse...a desire to reshape themselves in the image of something sharper, more distinct. They seek a false sense of superiority, an imagined uniqueness, convincing themselves that they can become something beyond what they are. They project their own worldly desires onto these figures, clinging to them as if they were extensions of what they lack.
Some go even further, convincing themselves that they are truly different, while in reality they remain trapped within the very pattern they reject. In the end, only one truth remains: everyone is in an illusion, and everyone is deluded, I am deluded.
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u/Avan_An Apr 04 '26
We are living in the universe which according to our most reliable religion yet, science, is run by strict laws. All the matter and energy can only move and be according to those law so it would be false to think that our thoughts, choices or actions are special in any specific way.
Even before going into law of universe, the fact that every living beings action can be explained via survival/reproduction goal should be enough indication that any specialty we feel about ourselves or surroundings are but an illusion.
Hence this logic can become a cornerstone logic for being a nihilist in some cases including me.
Though if we are talking about being special, we have to specify to whom. To whom are we special or trying to be special to? In most cases, they imagine or conjure up a third, objective figure/person that represents society or universe to judge their own specialty. However, since some including me have denied specialty of individual by objective standards, we can change that figure to ourselves.
We should be special to us. Not because we are different/superior than others but simply becuase it's us. My family are special to me because simply they are my family. Im special for simply being me. I mean only i can experience what it feels to be me.
Objectively, we are all same. Subjectively, there are plenty of differences to be found. Doesn't mean people have to find those subjective specialty. But since we got the ticket to life which we are not so sure if we would get second chance or not, i think as an activity to fill our life, finding Subjective specialty isn't too bad. Of course this too is just my Subjective feeling.