Optimistic Nihilism
"You only get one shot at life, which is scary, but it also sets you free. If the universe ends in heat death, every humiliation you suffer in your life will be forgotten. Every mistake you made will not matter in the end. Every bad thing you did will be voided. If our life is all we get to experience, then it's the only thing that matters. If the universe has no principles, the only principles relevant are the ones we decide on. If the universe has no purpose, then we get to dictate what its purpose is. ... We are truly free in a universe-sized playground, so we might as well aim to be happy and to build some kind of utopia in the stars." - Kurzgesagt
Nihilism is the philosophical theory that the universe and all the life that inhabits us (including ours) has no intrinsic meaning or value. It suggests that we are insignificant in the totality of existence. Trillions of stars in the universe were probably not made for us. Everyone and everything will be forgotten with time.
This philosophy tends to be depressing, so for those who believe it, there is a more positive alternative. It’s called Optimistic Nihilism. Since there is no imposed purpose, we get to choose our own. There are no principles to live by, only the ones we decide on. Every mistake we’ve ever made and every moment of sadness and sorrow will one day disappear. An optimistic nihilist must recognize the meaningless of the universe and move on so that they can create their own subjective meaning.
I live by this philosophy, therefore this project is a personal message about what I believe in. And if you find yourself to be a nihilist but can’t see the positive side to it, this piece is a reminder that it can be liberating. That it opens the possibility of finding purpose and subjective meaning for yourself.
Style Exploration
Storyboard
Motion Test
Style Frames
