okay let's go there right away what's the meaning of life is it to multiply is it to find happiness
is it to save people from an eternity in hell for many of us the answer is to be creative
to make something leave it behind and be remembered for it
but look around you hear all the music read all the books watch all the videos you could spend
the rest of your life consuming other people's creations and not even come close to enjoying
it all there is so much out there that it calls into question our answer to the meaning of life
to create for who who will see this who will remember this
margaret atwood has this beautiful quote anybody who writes a book is an optimist first of all they
think they're going to finish it second they think somebody's going to publish it third they think
somebody's going to read it fourth they think somebody's gonna like it how optimistic is that
we now know how unlikely it is for us regardless of talent to have our creative works enshrined in
a pantheon for all of history there's too much out there there are too many different tastes genres
languages cultures and traditions the only hope for you is to pave your own path and be the first
or get lucky and hit the market at the perfect time but there's still hope
however know this regardless what you make how great it is how wealthy you become how revered
you are by your contemporaries none of it matters as conan o'brien recalled from a conversation
he had with albert brooks where the late night host lamented to the filmmaker that movies have
the sustainability to last forever while his late night shows are forgotten and never seen again to
which albert burks responded what are you talking about none of it matters none of it matters no
that's the secret in 1940 people said clark gable is the face of the 20th century who effing thinks
about clark gable it doesn't matter you'll be forgotten i'll be forgotten we'll all be forgotten
as a creative it's helpful to be an optimistic nihilist i remind myself that there's no
meaning there's no great thing i need to create and in the meaninglessness i'm free
i look around and see all these people moving purposely as if they know the answer there is
no answer except the story we tell ourselves their creative stories are as valid as mine
they might not be writing drawing or making music but their creativity might be raising a family
starting a business or traveling the world everyone is creative a creator of experiences
everyone's choices are valid and it's because of all these experiences spinning in all
directions hitting off of each other then new stories and new creations are generated
surely if there was a meaning to this life and we know it there would be some order by now
when we think of nihilus we think of cynical [ __ ] or depressed alcoholics and
while there are some those who are analystic have found an escape from the pressure of existence
sure some people thrive under pressure some people sell big businesses some people hit home runs some
people launch bombs at civilians however for many of us the pressures are fabricated for
ourselves by ourselves as guidelines to follow we're supposed to graduate get a job get married
have a family and retire we're supposed to pass on traditions but why no there's nothing wrong
with those pursuits inherently but those are not necessarily the only pursuits worthy in fact there
are no pursuits worthy we can be vegetarians we could travel to space we can have children
all these things are worthwhile but none of it will change the outcome of the universe
this is doubly true for the novel you're writing this is doubly true for the movie you're making
this is doubly true for the painting you're painting don't do these things to alter the
universe do these things for yourself do these things for those who are present don't worry
about legacies now is the only moment there is creativity is a small acknowledgement
of this moment to set something in a time and place to merely wave back at the abyss
optimistic nihilism is the hopefulness that you can make a difference and it's the knowledge that
it doesn't matter life is an exhibition game and while we're keeping score it's not going to count
for anything other than our participation go for it write that story make that video paint
that painting because as albert brooks said who effing thinks about clark gable it doesn't matter
thank you for watching my name is elliot i make videos about writing and the creative process
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