An Anthropology of Nothing in Particular

by Martin Demant Frederiksen

There have been claims that meaninglessness has become epidemic in the contemporary world. One perceived consequence of this is that people increasingly turn against both society and the political establishment with little concern for the content (or lack of content) that might follow. Most often, encounters with meaninglessness and nothingness are seen as troubling. "Meaning" is generally seen as being a cornerstone of the human condition, as that which we strive towards. This was famously explored by Viktor Frankl in Man’s Search for Meaning in which he showed how even in the direst of situations individuals will often seek to find a purpose in life. But what, then, is at stake when groups of people negate this position? What exactly goes on inside this apparent turn towards nothing, in the engagement with meaninglessness? And what happens if we take the meaningless seriously as an empirical fact?

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Philosophy

136 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2018

Reviews

[DeanJean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conventionally, if you believe in nothing, or think that everything is meaningless or pointless, you are either: 1) a hell-bent nihilist, 2) atheist, 3) hate God, 4) have no love for your fellow human beings, 5) depressed with no sense of humour, or 6) Morrissey. But Frederiksen says, HOLD ON! That's not what we mean!

And what a big net he casts. He explores the tricky crevasse of meaninglessness and nothingness, drawing on literature, the number zero, boredom, popular TV sitcoms, Sunday anxiety and many more to paint a multidimensional and disparate image of how meaninglessness and nothingness can be defined. In doing so, he shatters the non-moralist, degenerate impressions of meaninglessness and nothingness. Hey, nothing's not so bad after all! Doing nothing can do wonders for your brain (daydreaming), is an act of privilege (economic and class privilege), also a curb on one's personal freedom (denial of pursuing one's goals by poverty), an act of rebellion (Jack Kerouac's On The Road) or a philosophical question on the test of one's faith (Kierkegaard). Nothing, under Frederiksen's pen, can simultaneously be everything at once.

Despite its slimness, I was hooked by the myriad of topics presented, and surprised at how dense it could be. At times, though, the net I feel gets cast too wide. But I never felt pandered to, and the book kept the jargon toned down to quick Google-ability. Highly appreciated.