Sweet Nothing: How a Pointless Life can set you free

by Wendy Syfret

Unknown Binding

About the author

Wendy Syfret is an award-winning Melbourne based writer, editor, and author of The Sunny Nihilist (Profile) and How to Think Like an Activist (Hardie Grant). She is currently serving as Editor in Chief at RIISE. Previously she was Managing editor of VICE Asia, Head of Editorial for VICE Australia, and Australian editor of pioneering fashion publication i-D. Her work regularly appears in the Guardian, Crikey, Frankie, and the Saturday Paper.

Reviews

[Fahmida Yeasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writer's description of practical problems and struggles are mostly western, however the theoretical and philosophical diacussiin is nontheless universal. Also, these modern days' problems or existential crisis will eventually touch non western underdeveloped societies, so in that sense relevant too. Not a fun read always and i can argue with a lot of points, but i could relate a lot too, so i would say i liked it.

[Robert Hudder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Immediately, this book put me in mind of the At the Existential Cafe. It covers some of the same material and some of the same sources.

I would consider myself both a nihilist and a type of anarchist. Where Syfret gives shrift to the evolution of nihilism and brands a particular response as sunny nihilism, no such consideration is given into the ways that anarchism has changed. This same type of consideration is odd when considering Nietzsche and Kant. Both of these folks are problematic but one gets given a slight reprieve due to mental illness.

I guess I wouldn't care so much except much of this book is about escaping the use of meaning as a way to discover a different set of values. On the whole, this tracks to my own growth through nihilism. I do recall talking about relationships a lot over the past three years. Often I find myself advocating for the now without trying to slip into hedonism. The game of dating is changing and some of the best lines have been about not caring about anything.

For context, I am not the group that this is pitched at. I am firmly Gen X. There isn't much given over to discussing that generation except a brief foray into discussing some pop trends in the 90s. Regardless, for the group that this is aimed at, it is a good primer on the wider ways of looking at nihilism. Worth giving to someone who doesn't get it but seems to be confused by your own life, if you are a nhilism or occasionally indulge.

[abby sabas · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

the .5 is for the bojack horseman and my year of rest and relaxation and lana reference