About meaning
In the beginning, man was monke.
Life unfolded as an instinctual dance, finely tuned to the rhythm of survival. Every heartbeat and instinct synchronized with the imperative to secure sustenance, seek shelter, and ensure protection from primal threats. This era was marked by a raw and visceral quest for survival, where the very essence of existence was defined by the urgent needs of the moment.
As human societies burgeoned, the complexity of our pursuits deepened. The advent of the agricultural revolution ushered in a new chapter, giving rise to civilizations that brought forth layers of sophistication to our understanding of purpose. No longer confined to immediate survival, life's meaning expanded. Roles emerged organically, entwining with cultural narratives and the emergence of religions.
Religions
Religions introduced a cosmic narrative that positioned humanity at the center of the universe.
Humankind found itself in a unique and central role—anointed as the stewards of creation. Religious beliefs often portrayed humans as the pinnacle of divine craftsmanship, with the universe crafted to support and sustain their journey. The cosmos, with its celestial bodies and cosmic rhythms, became a grand stage where humans played, and God, as the cosmic weaver, granted meaning to human existence. The belief in a higher power bestowed a profound significance upon every action and experience. The cosmic narrative held that God had not only created the universe but also imbued it with purpose, assigning a sacred mission to humanity. In this divine choreography, each individual had a role to play, no matter how small.
The cosmic narrative, therefore, not only anchored humanity in the physical world but also provided a metaphysical dimension to their existence. It granted significance to the mundane and purpose to the profound, painting a vivid picture of a universe where humans were not merely cosmic spectators but active participants in a divine drama.
This narrative not only shaped societal structures and norms but also became a source of solace and guidance. The belief that God had bestowed meaning upon human life infused every endeavor with a sacred purpose, fostering a sense of connection to the cosmos and to each other.
The death of God
However, as the Enlightenment dawned, a radical recalibration of thought occurred. Enlightenment philosophers, fueled by reason and a burgeoning scientific understanding, questioned the unquestionable. The cosmic narrative crafted by religion was subjected to scrutiny, and the once-central role of humans in the universe challenged. The cosmos, once a grand stage designed for humanity, was now perceived as an immense, indifferent expanse governed by natural laws.
This intellectual upheaval laid
the groundwork for existential questioning, paving the way for nihilistic currents of thought. Nihilism, in its essence, posits the absence of inherent meaning in the universe. The transition from the religiously assigned meaning to the acknowledgment of a potentially meaningless cosmos was a seismic shift. It was as if the cosmic narrative, once embroidered with divine purpose, was unraveled thread by thread.
Yet nihilism, in Nietzschean terms, is not just a surrender to meaninglessness; it's a crucible for the emergence of the Übermensch, the Overman.
Nietzsche's nihilism is a radical diagnosis of the malaise of the times, acknowledging the collapse of traditional values and the ensuing vacuum of meaning. However, within this void, Nietzsche envisions the potential for a transcendent individual — the Übermensch. This figure is not shackled by the constraints of conventional morality or the illusions of inherent meaning. Instead, the Übermensch is a creator, forging their own values, defining their own purpose, and dancing beyond the confines of nihilistic despair.
The Übermensch emerges, navigating the abyss with an audacious spirit of creation and reinvention. In this Nietzschean perspective, nihilism is not the end; it's a radical invitation to transcend and become something greater than what came before.
Yet, despite Nietzsche's fervent vision of the Übermensch as a beacon rising from the ashes of nihilism, the reality proved to be more elusive. The profound idea that individuals could transcend the abyss and create their own meaning faced significant challenges.
Perhaps it was a failure of communication—the message of the Übermensch struggling to penetrate the collective consciousness. Nietzsche's works, rich and complex, required a certain intellectual fortitude to grasp fully. The masses, entangled in the complexities of daily life, often found solace in more digestible narratives or clung to the remnants of traditional meaning.
Alternatively, it could be a testament to the formidable strength required to embody the Übermensch. The audacity to forge one's own values and stare unflinchingly into the void demands a rare breed of courage and resilience. In a world where conformity often offers a semblance of comfort, the path of the Übermensch may have seemed too treacherous for many to tread.
Absurdism
Enter Albert Camus and his philosophy of Absurdism, a response to the existential struggles of the 20th century. In the theater of the absurd, Camus cast his characters not as Übermenschen transcending the void but as rebels facing the inherent absurdity of existence with unwavering defiance.
Absurdism, unlike the grand aspirations of the Übermensch, acknowledges the stark contrast between our inherent desire for meaning and the apparent meaninglessness of the universe. The Absurd, as Camus puts it, is the dissonance that arises from this collision. Yet, unlike the nihilistic surrender to despair, Camus advocates for rebellion against the Absurd.
The Absurdist Hero, in the face of a seemingly indifferent cosmos, does not succumb to nihilistic despair. Instead, they embrace the absurdity, choosing to live passionately and authentically in a world devoid of inherent meaning. The Absurdist does not seek to create meaning in a void but finds liberation in the act of living fully, despite the absurdity.
Living in spite of no meaning becomes an act of rebellion.
The Myth of Sisyphus, perhaps Camus' magnum opus, encapsulates this philosophy. Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, symbolizes the ceaseless and seemingly futile struggle of human existence. However, Camus posits that Sisyphus can rebel against the absurdity by finding meaning in the very act of pushing the boulder. The defiance lies not in overcoming the absurdity but in embracing it and living in revolt against the meaninglessness.
The hierarchy of needs
Our current understanding of human nature and his needs, including the need for purpose, is well represented in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
The hierarchy of needs is a psychological framework that arranges human needs in a pyramid structure, with each level building upon the one below.
At the base are the physiological needs—fundamental requirements for survival such as air, water, food, and shelter. These needs form the essential foundation upon which the rest of the pyramid stands.
The second layer encompasses safety and security needs. Once the physiological needs are met, individuals seek stability, protection, and a sense of order in their lives. This includes physical safety, financial security, and overall well-being.
Moving up, we encounter social needs, which include the desire for belonging, connection, and meaningful relationships. This level reflects the inherent human need for social interaction, community, and a sense of identity within a larger context.
The fourth layer involves esteem needs, which encompass the desire for recognition, respect, and a positive self-image. This level involves both external factors, such as achievements and recognition from others, and internal factors, such as self-esteem and confidence.
At the pinnacle of the pyramid is self-actualization, representing the realization of one's full potential and the pursuit of personal growth, creativity, and fulfillment. This level involves the actualization of personal talents, capabilities, and the quest for a deeper understanding of oneself.
Capitalism promotes the idea that acquiring possessions, achieving financial success, and accumulating material wealth are key components of a fulfilling life.
Routes like cryptocurrency trading are hailed as fast tracks to financial success within this narrative. The promise of quick and substantial gains attracts individuals seeking to fulfill their esteem and self-actualization needs—those higher levels of the pyramid. However, the reality is often more complex.
While financial success and material wealth can indeed satisfy certain needs, they primarily address the physiological, safety, and esteem levels of Maslow's hierarchy. Individuals may experience a temporary boost in happiness and a sense of accomplishment when achieving financial milestones. However, the hedonic treadmill comes into play, and the initial euphoria tends to fade.
What's often left unaddressed is the pursuit of self-actualization—the pinnacle of Maslow's pyramid. Individuals who solely focus on material wealth may find themselves wondering about the deeper purpose of their lives. The question of "What truly fulfills me?" becomes more pronounced as they recognize that, despite financial success, a profound sense of purpose and meaning remains elusive.
The answer then, must be found elsewhere.
Life is in the 90%
As we navigate the landscapes of meaning and purpose, let's zoom in on our daily lives. Life isn't just a highlight reel; it's a composition of the routine, the mundane, and the extraordinary.
Consider the seemingly ordinary days that make up the majority of our existence. The quiet Tuesday afternoons and the uneventful Wednesday mornings. Life is 90% that.
It's easy to yearn for the excitement of the 10%, the moments that grab our attention and make the headlines of our memory or we post on social networks. However, what if we reframed the narrative?
Picture the routine not as a burden but as the foundation upon which we build our lives. The morning rituals, the workaday tasks, and the quiet moments— Instead of merely enduring them, what if we found joy in the simplicity of the everyday?
Let's not just endure the 90%, but embrace it. It's not about escaping the routine or waiting for the next big thing. It's about creating a life where the ordinary is not a monotonous backdrop but a canvas waiting for our creative touch.
Life's 90% is not a void to be transcended; it's an opportunity to build meaning in the routine, satisfaction in the mundane, and joy in the everyday.
Or to live in spite of our inability to find any meaning to it.
So, as we step into the ordinary, let's approach it not as a challenge to overcome but as a space where to craft a life that resonates with authenticity and fulfillment—a life that is, in its own quiet way, extraordinary.
Now, here's a gentle cautionary note. In our quest to build a life we enjoy, it's crucial to avoid unwittingly constructing a prison of our own making. Imagine this: trading long hours, day after day, confined to a desk, eyes fixed on charts. It might seem like a strategic move, but there's a risk—falling into a rhythm that feels more like incarceration than a chosen path.
Traders, especially, are susceptible to the allure of constant screen time, believing that day trading is the key to success. Yet, in this pursuit, there's a danger of trading one prison for another. A life tethered to a screen, devoid of balance, can become its own form of confinement.
So, as we embrace the 90%, let's be mindful of the choices we make. It's not about blindly adhering to a strategy or succumbing to societal expectations. Instead, it's about crafting a life that resonates with joy and authenticity.
The routine should be a canvas for creativity, not a sentence to monotony.