@NutshellBrainery aw, I'm so glad! I had a great teacher in high-school who recommended Camus' Myth of Sisyphus to me as "a book that helps you deal with the meaninglessness of existence". Many years later, I saw a scene in tue TV show Angel, which also approached this same concept; to paraphrase: if existence is meaningless, then we get to DECIDE what is meaningful, which is far more liberating than to be burdened with the idea that there IS a higher purpose for you that you'll never be able to comprehend or live up to. Which is, if I recall, also a big part of the philosophical debate within Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Yeah... I was THAT guy in high-school... 😄
You totally get the core concept of Camus and Existialism. (And in high school, no less!!!) Have you come across Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl? I think it would be right up your alley.
@NutshellBrainery thank you! I have not read it, but it's on my long list of books to read; it might have to go to the top of the list now. Does it happen to pair well with Python's The Meaning of Life? I find a strange comfort in The Galaxy Song.
A book written by a holocaust survivor and father of Logotherapy, paired with Monty Python's The Meaning of Life? Well you know what, I personally believe that the mark of intelligence is to find themes an connections where none should seemingly exist. So I say go for it, and tell me what you find!
C.S. Lewis wrote about the different between enjoyment and contemplation is his Book 'Surprised by Joy'. In the terms Camus was writing about, enjoyment would be concentrating on living your life, or doing your job (or, for Sisyphus, on the process of climbing the mountain), while contemplation would be thinking about the repetitive nature of your job (or the ultimate futility of trying to reach the top). It's about perspective - if you take each day as it comes and find meaning and enjoyment in it, you'll be happy. If you concentrate on the fact that everybody dies in the end, you're likely to be miserable.
C.S. Lewis would definitely fall under that heading of "many people smarter than me". What an incredible perspective. Thank you for turning me on to the book. Now on my to-read list.
This is a great video Lon! I like how you used Sisyphus example. I agree with that 100%, if we don’t get the task we need to get done we can be miserable the rest of our lives. I feel that way with whatever I am doing and always have an attitude with wanting to get it done and get it done right.
Thanks! I'm starting to get a better feel for jump cuts. The animation was an easy, I-don't-want-to-spend-a-week-on-this solution that turned out better than I had imagined it would.
At the risk of being pedantic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is set in 932 AD the 10th century not the 12th. And as it’s written at the start the 2 is slightly smaller than the 93, which could mean 93 squared or 8469. Is that too nerdy? Interesting video.
Btw, infinite torment for Sisyphus and finite misery for the peasants? Not the same. The future can inform present actions. And not the only issue I have with your analogy. Thought provoking overall. Thanks
A large part of me strongly agrees with you. For example, when it comes to any social injustice or something equally egregious, we have an obligation to fighting the gods. So yes, I'm often in your camp. None of this yes sir yes sir three bags full crap.
Do you know "why" Sisyphus had to endure that torture in Tartarus? That would change our "new-age" idolization/ desire to use his plight as a reference to our common struggles. The dude butchered his son and tried to feed him to the gods (including his father Zeus) while hoping to prove that he is smarter than the gods. His rock is not the same as someone working at a job.
You're absolutely right. The guy was the most loathsome abhorrent excuse for a human being that ever existed--mythologically anyway. Those Greeks sure knew how to write their heroes and antagonists.
That’s a cop out- Sisyphus isn’t lionized, we simply find the reframing of his punishment as useful for framing the suck in our lives. If it truly mattered, Serial Killers wouldn’t get dozens of marriage proposals while serving time for murdering people in gruesome ways.
@@ActualLiteralKyle "Cop out" I don't think that phrase thinks what you think it means, at least it doesn't fit as a response. I was educating others that may not know the whole story. Ans yes, there is idolization of Sisyphus thinking he was given a terrible task by the gods without a true understanding of WHY that task was dealt to him. Bro, you can't say the first sentence and then follow it by "we simply find the reframing..." So you're changing it from a just punishment to thinking your crap is such? That would be like "reframing" the a sex offender's punishment to fit the narrative that you have to work in retail. I see what you're saying, but you literally validated my comment via yours. So we're on the same side. Maybe people have more in common than they realize.
Camus’ whole absurdity thing was built around a juxtaposition. Man has a need for meaning. What is the purpose of life? What does it all mean? Why are we hear? The Universe is and will forever remain silent. Man will get no answers from the Universe. So in order to rebel against the absurdity of this, we must simply not commit suicide, but rather create our own meaning, our own purpose, and be happy as best we can. We are mortal; are existence is limited. I’ve always thought it strange that Camus picked Sisyphus out of the mythological catalogue because Sisyphus is in a position where he cannot commit suicide, and he is no longer mortal. He can’t die. Sisyphus’ punishment is for eternity. There is no ultimate end to Sisyphus, and his rock rolling task. Sisyphus isn’t fooling anyone; washing one’s own brain is fine for an eternal being I suppose, but for me, and Sir Alec Guinness, it’s a bridge too far…
You are if course absolutely right. My analogy with Sisyphus and Dennis doesn't hold up to scrutiny, but in my opinion, few do. Like you, i always struggled with Camus holding Sisyphus up as an example. I get (and to a large degree agree with) what Camus is teaching, but Sisyphus seemed like a weird choice of heroes.
Every now and then, this algorithm brings me something special, like this video. Nice video, friend. Keep it up ❤
Dude, you just made my day!
@NutshellBrainery aw, I'm so glad! I had a great teacher in high-school who recommended Camus' Myth of Sisyphus to me as "a book that helps you deal with the meaninglessness of existence". Many years later, I saw a scene in tue TV show Angel, which also approached this same concept; to paraphrase: if existence is meaningless, then we get to DECIDE what is meaningful, which is far more liberating than to be burdened with the idea that there IS a higher purpose for you that you'll never be able to comprehend or live up to. Which is, if I recall, also a big part of the philosophical debate within Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
Yeah... I was THAT guy in high-school... 😄
You totally get the core concept of Camus and Existialism. (And in high school, no less!!!) Have you come across Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl? I think it would be right up your alley.
@NutshellBrainery thank you! I have not read it, but it's on my long list of books to read; it might have to go to the top of the list now. Does it happen to pair well with Python's The Meaning of Life? I find a strange comfort in The Galaxy Song.
A book written by a holocaust survivor and father of Logotherapy, paired with Monty Python's The Meaning of Life? Well you know what, I personally believe that the mark of intelligence is to find themes an connections where none should seemingly exist. So I say go for it, and tell me what you find!
Yeah, water is wet. But then again, it washes right off.
Ooohhh. That's deep--and so us water! Virtual Fist Bump
C.S. Lewis wrote about the different between enjoyment and contemplation is his Book 'Surprised by Joy'. In the terms Camus was writing about, enjoyment would be concentrating on living your life, or doing your job (or, for Sisyphus, on the process of climbing the mountain), while contemplation would be thinking about the repetitive nature of your job (or the ultimate futility of trying to reach the top). It's about perspective - if you take each day as it comes and find meaning and enjoyment in it, you'll be happy. If you concentrate on the fact that everybody dies in the end, you're likely to be miserable.
C.S. Lewis would definitely fall under that heading of "many people smarter than me". What an incredible perspective. Thank you for turning me on to the book. Now on my to-read list.
This is a great video Lon! I like how you used Sisyphus example. I agree with that 100%, if we don’t get the task we need to get done we can be miserable the rest of our lives. I feel that way with whatever I am doing and always have an attitude with wanting to get it done and get it done right.
I appreciate the examples littered throughout the entire video. made the concept clear!
Really great work Lon. I love the motion graphics for Sisyphus, the delivery, message, and especially the jump cuts.
Oh and the backdrop is the best on the web.
Coming from a creative like you, that's high praise! THANKS!
Thanks! I'm starting to get a better feel for jump cuts. The animation was an easy, I-don't-want-to-spend-a-week-on-this solution that turned out better than I had imagined it would.
"It is what it is," as they say. We can either take it or leave it. Or not.
You are a pearl among the pebbles I found on my walk today.
"It is what it is." You said in a few words what took me 10 minutes to say. Nice.
At the risk of being pedantic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is set in 932 AD the 10th century not the 12th. And as it’s written at the start the 2 is slightly smaller than the 93, which could mean 93 squared or 8469. Is that too nerdy?
Interesting video.
Bring on the pedantic nerdy!!! 😀
I really enjoyed this. Subscribed.
Too awesome! Thank you!
Good Viddy Amigo ! Cheers ! 😁 P.S. The scene in "The Holy Grail" is a Lifelong Favorite of mine !
That scene is a classic!
I've never thought of sisyphus like that!
Love this. In the struggle we find happiness and so we see Sisyphus as being happy.
Good the know that you and I and French philosophers have at least one thing in common!
Btw, infinite torment for Sisyphus and finite misery for the peasants? Not the same. The future can inform present actions. And not the only issue I have with your analogy. Thought provoking overall.
Thanks
Oh trust me, my analogy has more holes in it than swiss cheese. 😁👍
I choose not to roll your boulder. I find meaning arguing with the gods. Force my hand upon the boulder. Then you will know I'm the one in control.
A large part of me strongly agrees with you. For example, when it comes to any social injustice or something equally egregious, we have an obligation to fighting the gods. So yes, I'm often in your camp. None of this yes sir yes sir three bags full crap.
Thanks for the video. 👍
Do you know "why" Sisyphus had to endure that torture in Tartarus? That would change our "new-age" idolization/ desire to use his plight as a reference to our common struggles. The dude butchered his son and tried to feed him to the gods (including his father Zeus) while hoping to prove that he is smarter than the gods. His rock is not the same as someone working at a job.
You're absolutely right. The guy was the most loathsome abhorrent excuse for a human being that ever existed--mythologically anyway. Those Greeks sure knew how to write their heroes and antagonists.
That’s a cop out- Sisyphus isn’t lionized, we simply find the reframing of his punishment as useful for framing the suck in our lives.
If it truly mattered, Serial Killers wouldn’t get dozens of marriage proposals while serving time for murdering people in gruesome ways.
@@ActualLiteralKyle "Cop out" I don't think that phrase thinks what you think it means, at least it doesn't fit as a response. I was educating others that may not know the whole story. Ans yes, there is idolization of Sisyphus thinking he was given a terrible task by the gods without a true understanding of WHY that task was dealt to him.
Bro, you can't say the first sentence and then follow it by "we simply find the reframing..." So you're changing it from a just punishment to thinking your crap is such? That would be like "reframing" the a sex offender's punishment to fit the narrative that you have to work in retail. I see what you're saying, but you literally validated my comment via yours. So we're on the same side. Maybe people have more in common than they realize.
Camus’ whole absurdity thing was built around a juxtaposition. Man has a need for meaning. What is the purpose of life? What does it all mean? Why are we hear? The Universe is and will forever remain silent. Man will get no answers from the Universe. So in order to rebel against the absurdity of this, we must simply not commit suicide, but rather create our own meaning, our own purpose, and be happy as best we can.
We are mortal; are existence is limited.
I’ve always thought it strange that Camus picked Sisyphus out of the mythological catalogue because Sisyphus is in a position where he cannot commit suicide, and he is no longer mortal. He can’t die. Sisyphus’ punishment is for eternity. There is no ultimate end to Sisyphus, and his rock rolling task. Sisyphus isn’t fooling anyone; washing one’s own brain is fine for an eternal being I suppose, but for me, and Sir Alec Guinness, it’s a bridge too far…
You are if course absolutely right. My analogy with Sisyphus and Dennis doesn't hold up to scrutiny, but in my opinion, few do. Like you, i always struggled with Camus holding Sisyphus up as an example. I get (and to a large degree agree with) what Camus is teaching, but Sisyphus seemed like a weird choice of heroes.
I need better glasses. Embracing syphilis was whole different thing
🤣🤣🤣
Okay, that was interesting. Subscribed
Cool!!! I needed a win today 🤣😎👍
Tremendous!
Thank you!!
So?!!! Life goes on.
Just like the Peter Gabriel song says. Yep!
New to the channel. Thank-you for the video. This has given me something to think about and help me.
Great to have you aboard!