The Religion of Nihilism – IOTW Report

The Religion of Nihilism

Michael Shellenberger on substack

In a series of recent articles I have argued that what lies behind climate fanaticism and narcissism is an apocalyptic religion born from nihilism. The power of science to explain humankind’s place in the universe (e.g., the big bang, evolution by natural selection) resulted in a dominant narrative coming out of society’s elite institutions for over 100 years that human life has no inherent meaning or purpose (nihilism). We’re just animals like any other.

This depressing story has led the ostensibly secular elite, which are educated and indoctrinated in universities that teach nihilism as unquestioning scientific gospel, to create a new apocalyptic religion (climate catastrophe), complete with a new victim-god (nature), a new reason for guilt (sins against nature), and a path for redemption (renewables and low-energy living). It, and the broader Woke religion, have found intellectual ballast since World War II from Rousseau, Malthus, and Foucault. More

10 Comments on The Religion of Nihilism

  1. Well, Malthus was wrong. Probably the rest of the gang too. So, why should we listen to any of the rest?

    Good to point out that it is a religion, and we should respond to it in kind: no religion in government or laws…

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  2. You get nothin’ back for all you’ve saved
    Just eternity and a spacious grave
    She said, “Nothing is true, everything is permitted”
    Things just go from bad to worse
    Starts like a kiss and ends like a curse
    But nothing’s true, she said everything is permitted
    She got jewels on her tongue to time the stars
    She drives all morning in unmarked cars
    But nothing’s true, it is all permitted
    She got these special tools just to keep things tight
    They robbed her eyes long ago of light
    But nothing’s true, she told me it’s all permitted
    She got inscrutable poise and nihilist charms
    She gets her sleep through tubes in her arm
    She said nothing is true, she said everything is permitted
    She nods on graves, the marble’s cold and white,
    Her dreams surround the sun like a satellite
    She said nothin’ is true, she told me it’s all permitted
    The spiders [milk?] her thigh, it does not phase her
    She cleans her skin with a krypton laser
    Nothing is true, everything is permitted
    She got heels so high, she got a gown so thin
    Her eyes stop the whip before it tames her sin
    She says nothin’ is true, everything is permitted
    Until they perfect the techniques to clone
    You all better remember you’re all alone
    Because nothing is true, she said everything is permitted

  3. If evolution theory is the way to go, then we all have an obligation to wipe out the people that are eco-terrorists.

    Like – issue hunting licenses and pay a bounty for their left ears or something.

    They are trying to kill off the majority of the world so they are fair game in an evolution-based-rules game. They declared themselves the enemy. So be it.

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  4. The end result of Nihilism is a life without purpose. The believers of it then have to invent a purpose to try and keep from going crazy. Causes such as systemic racism, climate change, LBGTQXYZ “rights” are all attempts to lessen the meaninglessness. The majority of the SJW’s aren’t trying to help a supposed marginalized group. they are trying to fill their lives with purpose.

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