Life is hell, I am convinced if hell exists, we are in it

[Darkover]

am I simply more aware than most people? Why am I the only one acknowledging that this planet is a genuine hell? This world operates on predation, the law of the strongest, prioritizing individual survival at every level – from cellular interactions where cells consume each other, to the animal kingdom where creatures are forced to prey on one another and eat each other alive for survival, to our human society where we are all slaves to the powerful and the wealthy. Our societies are built on genocides, slavery, and exploitation. My phone is made from materials extracted by individuals reduced to slavery in Congo, as are the clothes manufactured in China. The chicken or beef I consume has lived a life of intense suffering and an undignified death. Why does everyone act as if nothing is wrong, continuing their daily routines, going to work for eight hours of exploitation, and returning home obediently? Am I going insane, or am I, on the contrary, realizing the absurdity and cruelty of this world?

 

[DreamEnd]

am I simply more aware than most people? Why am I the only one acknowledging that this planet is a genuine hell? This world operates on predation, the law of the strongest, prioritizing individual survival at every level – from cellular interactions where cells consume each other, to the animal kingdom where creatures are forced to prey on one another and eat each other alive for survival, to our human society where we are all slaves to the powerful and the wealthy. Our societies are built on genocides, slavery, and exploitation. My phone is made from materials extracted by individuals reduced to slavery in Congo, as are the clothes manufactured in China. The chicken or beef I consume has lived a life of intense suffering and an undignified death. Why does everyone act as if nothing is wrong, continuing their daily routines, going to work for eight hours of exploitation, and returning home obediently? Am I going insane, or am I, on the contrary, realizing the absurdity and cruelty of this world?

I think a lot of people do understand actually but what's the alternative? It's not like you can radically change anything and many people have enough problems of their own. They don't have time to worry about the suffering of others. I think the truth is that nobody really knows what's going on. It seems like an experiment of sorts. People just choose to go on because death is scary and if they find meaning in their lives it gives them fuel to continue. And if you look at history it is evident that for most of it there was quite a lot of bloodshed, religious, cultural etc. it's clear that humans don't really know how to live properly so they just try to do their best.

 

[tbroken]

I think a lot of people do understand actually but what's the alternative? It's not like you can radically change anything and many people have enough problems of their own. They don't have time to worry about the suffering of others. I think the truth is that nobody really knows what's going on. It seems like an experiment of sorts. People just choose to go on because death is scary and if they find meaning in their lives it gives them fuel to continue. And if you look at history it is evident that for most of it there was quite a lot of bloodshed, religious, cultural etc. it's clear that humans don't really know how to live properly so they just try to do their best.

Totally agree. It's all dictated by random events and how we react to them. But what do you think about politicians and similar stuff? Are they smarter then other people? Is there anyone in those positions that really cares? I mean, imo west is becoming worst day by day, family failed, church failed, there is nothing left to believe in.

 

[bipolar22]

Most people are quite dumb and don't sit down to think about life and the world. They rather watch their reality television. Others are thriving and like how life and this world works. And then some are suffering and wonder why. But overall humanity is doing very well growing rapidly so it's more like a personal hell for some of us I guess. It will end eventually though that's the good news.

 

[DreamEnd]

Totally agree. It's all dictated by random events and how we react to them. But what do you think about politicians and similar stuff? Are they smarter then other people? Is there anyone in those positions that really cares? I mean, imo west is becoming worst day by day, family failed, church failed, there is nothing left to believe in.

I don't think there is a single good politician in the world who has a sufficient amount of power to change things. I feel like all the ones that care never truly get to power. At least right now. Before, maybe. But you look at who the current politicians are in the west and they are all just a bunch of clowns ruled over by people with money. Surely, they can be smarter than the average folk. They can be from Ivy League universities etc. but they are still human and are prone to corruption and any sort of power can corrupt easily. So they go where the wind blows, they promise you a lot but never actually fulfill their promises.

People can say all kinds of shit about religion and they may be right but there are some traditions that value certain things that keep society functioning. When you destroy those values you get an unstable society that can't think for themselves nor understand their role in this human existence. That's where the state comes in and starts dictating to them what is right and what is wrong

 

[Argo]

It's a kind of hell yeah. It's not the worst case scenario, but it's not a good place, if you completely soberly look at the nature of things. Bad outweighs good here. It doesn't just outweigh, but it has more power than good does, too. A bad event cripples you far more than a good one inspires you or gives you some other peak desirable experience. Bad people are stronger than good people, in that they just don't care or aren't constrained in the same way, and they naturally have the wind at their backs due to the imbalance. They can use greed and malice and a desire to control everything in their favor in a way that good can't quite match. If they do something wrong, then there's no self-correcting mechanism like genuine shame or self-awareness of malicious intentions-- there's just no problem there.

Still, things can get far far worse than this, it doesn't mean there is no silver lining here or that things are as bad as they could possibly get. I think that's also important to admit if you don't want to just drown in misery.

The reason this realization is so difficult is because we're fed fantasy narratives from childhood that paint a much more rosy picture of the world, and I think this has at least two important functions. One is that it's psychologically easier, especially on children who really need stability to grow up well adjusted. The other is that it makes it so anyone who recognizes a real problem with the structure of the world, won't be able to solve it. They'll just be on the fringes, they'll just be some lunatic with deeply negative views, who must have gone stray somehow. In reality, it's the world itself that is astray. So this way, the evil nature of things is protected by a kind of propagandistic camouflage which only a few people will ever get to clearly see the problem of, who will then be powerless to do anything about it.

 

[tbroken]

I don't think there is a single good politician in the world who has a sufficient amount of power to change things. I feel like all the ones that care never truly get to power. At least right now. Before, maybe. But you look at who the current politicians are in the west and they are all just a bunch of clowns ruled over by people with money. Surely, they can be smarter than the average folk. They can be from Ivy League universities etc. but they are still human and are prone to corruption and any sort of power can corrupt easily. So they go where the wind blows, they promise you a lot but never actually fulfill their promises.

People can say all kinds of shit about religion and they may be right but there are some traditions that value certain things that keep society functioning. When you destroy those values you get an unstable society that can't think for themselves nor understand their role in this human existence. That's where the state comes in and starts dictating to them what is right and what is wrong

I agree. I also think that after ww2 and maybe 80s, only two categories became relevant: rich people(who became richer) and scientists(technicians, innovators, researchers). Rich people have the raw power of money that can move markets, the scientists have the power of knowledge and to dictate how human kind should be, which tools they have to use etc... Control and brain washing.

 

[Forever Sleep]

You're by no means the only one to realise this. You wouldn't know about how those animals and child labourers suffered if other people weren't reporting on it and campaigning against it. People actively try to reduce the suffering they are a part of inflicting by becoming vegan, boycotting products, raising awareness, protesting etc.

But, some people do well out of this system, so for them, it isn't hell- they are happily exploiting us! Other people- the majority probably, get a simple choice- comply to the system or become homeless. If they don't qualify for benefits- they will slip through the cracks.

If you want to understand them- simply look at yourself. You've just described that you will eat meat and know that the animal likely suffered while it was alive and when it was slaughtered. You know the products you buy are either made by child slave labour or contain components that are sourced that way. So- why do you/I do it? Because it's convenient. Because it makes our lives a little nicer. Because we've bought into the mindset that- everyone else is doing it, so why shouldn't we? We deserve that new phone or juicy steak. (Mine will be a pretend meat steak- I've made minimum effort to be vegetarian at least.)

You don't need those things to live anymore than a person would die on the spot if they resigned from their job. Most of us simply go with what we hope will be the least painful option in life though. For a lot, that may mean working a job they hate to bring in a wage they can survive on because homelessness sounds worse.

The majority of people have to work to get money to pay for those things and they've been convinced they really need them too- some things they do actually need- like food. So, in some ways, they may actually have starker choices than you do. Work to earn money or starve.

Plenty of people aren't all that happy about that though. Most people I know are tired, overworked and stressed. They'd all prefer a better work/ life balance. Maybe they don't see life as quite the extreme of hell. They may have enough good things or, see enough potential for good things to stop it being that.

Still- why do they comply? Because they would likely lose everything if they don't. They may not have any financial safety net at all. I think it's far easier to be a NEET if you have financial backing. Would you be willing to lose everything in order to join an uprising? Would you go without money = food, shelter, entertainment, recreational drugs? People would have to give things up if they quit being a part of the system. Most people simply don't want to make life worse for themselves because they likely recognise that that would be hell.

Sorry to sound harsh but- it's easier to gamble when you know you (probably) can't lose. If you know you're getting a paycheque (even if it's a piss poor amount,) no matter what you do, it's not quite the same as knowing your actions- or protest (not going to work) would mean: not only will you not get that paycheque, you'll likely be out of a job. You may have trouble getting references to find a new job. You may not qualify for benefits. There's a lot more risk for someone who has all that to lose, so that's probably why they comply. Plenty aren't happy about it though.

 

[TiredOfAllThis]

Really tired of all that aggression, struggling, and anxiety. Also pointlessness of life. I just want to remove myself from this existence.