I don't understand how someone can be an atheist without being completely Nihilist, it really makes no sense to me. Because if their is no meaning and you create meaning, there still is no meaning.

There is an assumption in Alex’s argument that doesn’t make any sense to me. Why are human lives worth more than any other object in the universe? Who decides what is valuable and why?

I disagree with this premise, as a Christian this is a temporary trial period with eternal consequences for me and the people around me, making each day infinitely important

As a former Christian up to my late 20s and an atheist thereafter, I can attest to the nihilistic hole that is left behind and the real uphill challenge to rebuild meaning into one's life. I think Alex hits the point square on. Was making decent progress but then the pandemic hit and other things happened which definitely took me back a few steps. Just gotta keep working at it!

I was completely nihilistic as an atheist and even believed that many immoral things were fine because I wouldn't have to answer to anyone after. It was a dark place.

Yes!! Meaning comes from impermanence! A musical note that’s permanent would just be tinnitus…

I am 19 years old. I was a huge Christian, I've studied all the commandments, active in my church and help the pastors set up the church and actually wanted to be a Pastor at one point. Walked around with a Bible in my backpack and prayed everyday at lunch. Then in this year 2021 April 28th I became atheist and not belived in Go because I've questioned the existence of God in the beginning of 2021 and came to a conclusion that he doesn't exist 🤷

Create your OWN meaning? Jack the Ripper did. What do you do when YOUR meaning conflicts with MY MEANING? WAR.

I like to think that it’s realism that hits the fan, rather than nihilism.

I never felt more empty and lifeless when I was religious. So I had to disagree with the negative impact of not being religious.

Before coming out as a non-believer, that is to say, an apostate, I avoided doing so as if I had been avoiding the nihilistic hole I was told about as a Christian. It was like a black hole that would swallow me. I seemed to fear not having meaning more than the prospect of a fiery destination if I didn't mind my heart and soul. But, in the end, my mind won out. While my mind would no longer perform the mental gymnastics needed to find or have faith-much less keep it- my mind simultaneously woke to the wonder of nature, the phenomenon of life, my own life, the incredible opportunity and chance I had. Where I feared nihilism and an utter lack of meaning I actually found even greater wonder and purpose beyond my imagination, certainly beyond the limited scope I was previously ensconced as a child.

In theory this sounds ok but in practice when people believe this life is all there is they become deathly afraid to lose it. Most people actually do the opposite of "living life to the fullest". This covid situation is proof people are willing to sacrifice doing the things they love (or even seeing the people they love) for fear of dying.

Its logical progression.

These clips are gold. Keep up the great work man.

i deeply appreciate the clarity of alex's mind.

I think the nihilistic challenge to this is “why should we make the most of life?”

the meaning of life is to live it, that's all you need.

Life is procrastination of death.

Alex is like the younger brother I never had, somebody I would be incredibly proud of to introduce as my brother & friend.

I was thinking about this the other day, the fact that we are going to die makes life more valuable. It creates an urgency to love the people I love, accomplish my dreams and aspirations and create justice now coz the only justice that would ever exist is the justice we produce.