What’s The Meaning of Life?
Hi, ✋
I don’t know about you, but lately every book I read, every YouTube video I watch, every podcast that I hear, in some way or another is related to the big question!!
The big question that the mankind is pursuing since the very begging and that we still do not understand; the big question that built countries and started wars; the big question that created religions and empowered new institutions; the big question that you wonder looking at the stars at night and that science cannot solve; the big question that goes far beyond any other question and starts on our own singularity.
Yeah… quite dramatic! But, if you really think about it, you can see that a lot of what happen to the Humankind in the past, and a lot of the current basic structures and conceptual thoughts of today, go around this BIG QUESTION!
The question of “what’s the meaning of life”❔ 🤔😵
I don’t want to be misleading by no means! Of course, I have no idea how to answer to this question! And from a personal point of view, I believe that would be quite arrogant and foolish of me, to try to give any kind of guidance on how to approach such a crucial concept. ⛔️
Indeed, I thought quite a bit about this big question and on the its indirect effects, like most of us. What behaviors are exploited from it? What would be the possible consequences of understanding it? What does it mean to just think about it? What would it mean for me? And others? etc, etc …
I did some research, usually in an unconscious way where looking for other subjects I end up in the same dead end. But, either way, I have been always willing to listen every point of view and new perspective on it.
Just curious! 😜
To be honest, not until recently, I found a theory or idea that quite stimulated interest in me. Most of them, always have two main flaws and lack of some substance.
Or to much self oriented, or to much generic.
The answer to this big question would always be with a self oriented result or gain in the end, or would be something vastly generic with no interest to discuss, at all.
However, not long ago I ran into a YouTube video from the channel
Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell that it’s called The Egg — A Short Story, and I was very amazed with the hypothesis! 👏
BTW: if you don't know Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell, it's a channel that I truly suggest for you to check out. They have videos explaining things with optimistic nihilism, where they discuss from a very well based point of view and open minded perspective, some of the most intriguing topics of today's society. 👌
Here, it is the video:
<a href="https://medium.com/media/d4d2722a645351c32e866a8057728857/href">https://medium.com/media/d4d2722a645351c32e866a8057728857/href</a>
Introduction: the video is a dialog between a man that just died in a car accident and a “ Higher-being”, that in a very joyful and parental way tries to enlighten the confused man, sometimes with the most simple analogies.
Why do I like this theory?
First of all, the video is extremely well done! I love the visual design that they used based on geometric forms and playful interactions; the transitions between scenes seem very organic and enable you to stay attached to the storytelling without distractions. I’m not a design expert, but it constantly reminds me of the new UX trends on the colour contrast and highlighted visualization frames (here). And the background music just gives it a mystical and futurist feeling.
Second, the stroytelling is just the best! I love the idea of a parent figure trying to help the man (that represents the human race) in a very playful and positive curious way. It goes with logic and always make you finish with new unaswer questions, like a child. Also, the “superior figure” it’s aware of the confused mental state of the man and cares for him, so quite often gives him positive feedback on his reactions.
Third, the concepts behind the theory! I take off from this theory mainly 3 key concepts: Global Nature; Experience / Development / Progress; Intellect.
Global Nature: I do believe that we are all connected in some way or another by emotions, behaviours or just nature itself. Multiple times you actually can feel it, for example when helping the other person you also feel that you are also (in some strange way) helping yourself; or when immersed in some natural landscape that makes you feel like you always belonged there. That’s why there are social communities, and the environment acknowledge every single detail in life. Would it be possible that everything it’s connected on an even deeper level? 🌎
Experience/ Development / Progress: I gather these three concepts together, because I believe that they are extremely correlated. Life is about experiences, that allow you to develop and see progress manifest itself. Every new experience awakes new knowledge. And not just on the superficial level, there are multiple new learnings from new experiences that you are not even aware that you developed, and make you progress in a different way without noticing it. In that sense, the “vague authority figure” talks about the range of deeper experiences that the man still cannot completely recollect and that will enhance him to mature. 🚀
Intellect: most of theories about life describe themselves with an individual goal in the end, and most of the time we are never going to reach “some” superior level. Yet, intellect fulfills this unknown notion of soul and spirit with some extra perceptions like: science, philosophy, love, music, imagination, universe, emotions, art, history, curiosity, etc. It seizes our thoughts, our perceptions, our emotions, our logic, everything. Maybe life itself is actually the miracle of life itself? 🙃
From my point of view, it’s a beautifull way to see the world and it embrasses some strong behaviours like: “treating others like you would like to be treated” or “use simple logic to solve the most complex problems”; that usually are present in other theories.
It does not focus on a status quo, or a clear path that you should follow, or say how you should feel and behave. It’s not so much strict or even empty of substance, putting aside meaningful emotions (like The Simulation Hypothesis). 🐣
I looked you in the eye. “The meaning of life, the reason I made this whole universe, is for you to mature.”
“You mean mankind? You want us to mature?”
“No, just you. I made this whole universe for you. With each new life you grow and mature and become a larger and greater intellect.”
Happily ever after?
Of course, I’m not trying to sell you this theory… by any means!
If like me, you never felt identified with a setup of old rules that do not adapt to our current day-to-day lifestyle, but anyhow should regulate our lives; or you never felt identified with human figures, that seem like they are trying to win a popularity contest throughout history.
Perhaps, this “Egg Theroy” might be a good option to give some thought. 😊
The journey looks good and we will keep in touch! ✌️
IMPORTANT: most of the images I use are from Muzli, and are used without any monetization purpose.