Why is modern life so empty?

[Volatile]

life is just unnecessary. I never wanted to exist

 

[stellabelle]

Because people are so absorbed in themselves and their phones and social media.
Because nothing makes money without ripping you off and putting you into debt to slave away for no real purpose. Because everything is materialistic and focused on possessions instead of time spent.
Because people are forced not to be able to reach altered states of consciousness or endure chronic pain and suffer. Because it is expected that you follow the skit: graduate high school, go into debt to attend college, take a minimum wage job when you graduate, get married, have children, rinse and repeat.

 

[Kyrok]

Noxious youth culture, lack of community, meaningless labor.

 

[Volatile]

Around what time in history did people collectively become aware of the emptiness of life?

 

[stellabelle]

Around what time in history did people collectively become aware of the emptiness of life?

Never, most are fine like this

 

[Volatile]

Never, most are fine like this

How are most people fine with this?
Why aren't we fine with it?

 

[stellabelle]

How are most people fine with this?
Why aren't we fine with it?

I think we are more aware. I don't know how people do it honestly. I think it's because it's all they've ever known

 

[Kdawg2018]

I think we are more aware. I don't know how people do it honestly. I think it's because it's all they've ever known

I believe that suicidal people are more aware as well. I think it varies on what you are aware of, society, illness, yourself, or all of it.

 

[Circles]

I think it was always like this. Why do you think humans created religion in the first place? Because of how scared humans were and still are. Everything was unexplainable and to some degree still is especially with all the suffering and death that pervaded everyday life. Imagine being no different than an animal with nothing to work with as all viable knowledge was passed orally. This world was a lot darker and unforgiving back then and I wouldn't blame them.

 

[LiveSlowDieFast]

Around what time in history did people collectively become aware of the emptiness of life?

I think as religion becomes less and less relevant, so does the overarching narrative it provides, ie "everything leads to god" or whatever. Without it you're left to your own devices, because suddenly everything one does isn't working towards a higher ideal or being. In that situation you either manage to find something else that feels meaningful or you don't. The latter might happen because you're for some reason unable to experience this feeling of meaningfulness (ie. because of depression) and/or you are unable to lead a fulfilled life because of simple material constraints.

 

[waived]

Why is modern life so empty?
How are most people fine with this?
Why aren't we fine with it?

Because the activity that goes along with not being fine with it is and has been violently repressed and adapted to by systems of power for hundreds and thousands of years, to the point where the awareness of an 'outside' to those systems, and a plurality of life, is repressed as well. I don't think there's any evidence that we are a homogenous group.

 

[CJM]

Just cogs in a wheel. Walking to work each morning during rush hour, the looks on everyones faces bustling by rushing to their 9-5. Gotta contribute to society! ....

 

[mattwitt]

living in a complex society
living too long
too much knowledge & information overload
too many negative distractions to keeps us in a false reality not too think about how miserable and empty life is

 

[Redt2go]

living in a complex society
living too long
too much knowledge & information overload
too many negative distractions to keeps us in a false reality not too think about how miserable and empty life is

Hmm

 

[21Neberg]

Because people are so absorbed in themselves and their phones and social media.
Because nothing makes money without ripping you off and putting you into debt to slave away for no real purpose. Because everything is materialistic and focused on possessions instead of time spent.
Because people are forced not to be able to reach altered states of consciousness or endure chronic pain and suffer. Because it is expected that you follow the skit: graduate high school, go into debt to attend college, take a minimum wage job when you graduate, get married, have children, rinse and repeat.

You really hit the nail on the head with this. Planet earth, a living hell that we've created for ourselves.

 

[Jon86]

The decline in face to face communication and a lack of community in the new online/multicultural society. A loss of personal/national identity, no clear moral path/guidance, and a feeling society is run entirely on greed, control etc. has lead to a high degree of cynicism, apathy, etc.

 

[2 be or not]

Modern life is not designed around human life but for market efficiency and profits of the few over the many; it results in alienation and pathology. We are taught not to question or notice. Our role in this economy is to consume.

 

[Redt2go]

life is just unnecessary. I never wanted to exist

It's likely empty bc you're depressed. Everyone around me loves life. I noticed a lot of people in this thread have negative opinions on life which makes sense cause we all want to die but irl life is great for a lot of people...

 

[DownInaHole]

Maybe because people develop their personalities before their character? I don't know.

 

[Angst Filled Fuck Up]

The rise of internet-based technology, rampant mistrust and cynicism, social rustiness and aloofness that is becoming ingrained with whole generations being raised in front of a TV/monitor. To many, the risk/reward ratio doesn't seem worth it as far as meeting new people. Tbh I think this is even more problematic for males who generally have a very hard time obtaining any kind of real-world connection or validation. It's no wonder half the world is mentally ill.

 

[JustAboutDone]

Is modern life so empty? I don't know. It's a good question. I know a lot of people irl who are happy and fulfilled.

We live in an era where we are being marketed to like no other and there definitely seems a pressure to be a certain way, have certain things and conform to a societal expectation. It's hard to find your own path out of that, find your own groove and be comfortable and confident with what you do and what you have.

 

[Pulpit2018]

I also think the modern era is rubbish.Just look at contemporary art...
I want to go back to an era where respect and honor mattered a lot.

 

[waived]

What era would that be?

 

[Pulpit2018]

What era would that be?

Somewhere,sometime in Japan i guess.

Basically pre-industrial societies i think.
Where you had to care for the future,and prepare for the winter.Where your behaviour in society mattered.Where you were expected to fight for your people if needed,but you would be assured of respect and rewards for it.Where there were no incentives for free loading.Where you had a say in the public affairs,because people were few and democracy really was a thing.Ancient Athens comes in mind...

 

[waived]

Somewhere,sometime in Japan i guess.

Basically pre-industrial societies i think.
Where you had to care for the future,and prepare for the winter.Where your behaviour in society mattered.Where you were expected to fight for your people if needed,but you would be assured of respect and rewards for it.Where there were no incentives for free loading.Where you had a say in the public affairs,because people were few and democracy really was a thing.Ancient Athens comes in mind...

Well, I respect your opinion, and maybe because you like those eras if you went back in time you'd fit in and find serenity, but tbh I don't think you'd find respect, honor, or serenity in those times based on history.

 

[EmotionlessWanderer]

I really hope the afterlife is just some huge explorable galaxy or a beautiful prehistoric world for this very reason.

Other than distractions such as food and video games, the industrialized era sucks ass.

Instead of a world surrounded by beautiful nature or a galaxy where you could go anywhere, you're surrounded by ugly ass buildings and politicians that are like money this, money that.

And meaningless work just so rich guys can get more richer.