The Myth of Sisyphus

Damned to eternity because of a misguided love, Sisyphus spends his time with a rock, a hill, and an eternal struggle...

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Myth
• of
• Sisyphus
• Michael
• Hicks
• Western
• Kentucky
• Film
• Festival
• Winner
• 1995

[temple26797]

O, the nihilism of it all! Without any hope and only pain, why not commit suicide. That's how I felt before I became a Christian. Through Jesus we can have security, significance, eternal rewards, provisions, healing and meaning to this world.

[AUniqueVideoProd]

you don't have to subscribe to anything contained within this piece of art...you can still appreciate what the piece without being swayed or adopting the theories you may not agree with...as a Christian, I enjoy many 'non-Christian' works of art, and explore various world religions to see what others believe across the globe...

[Twolfe38]

This is cosmic whining. I say, get over it, grow up, and enjoy the reflective pauses you get on the way back down the hill, the momentary rests on the way back up. No one can save us but ourselves. No one and no thing has any more meaning than anyone or anything else. For me, I'd rather have this relative freedom than be saved by a big daddy.

[8881rtj]

don't get confused that it's a parable about trying to live a better life

pushing the rock is not meant to symbolise what you do with your life (trying to make it 'full' or 'meaningful'), the rock is just meant to symbolise existence - you have no choice except to deal with the rock - the suicide element is defined by the argument what if you just gave up and didn't keep on at the rock? - it's an argument about whether you choose to live (the how isn't important) or choose to die

[walmartramen]

It is how we work today! Just like when I worked at Walmart! I worked at the four 2500 LBS pallets all night. Then the next night I have to do it again! The only thing is id does not have to be that way! It's just a ride! watch?v=iMUiwTubYu0

[temple26797]

@GorterPoss When someone is inescapably facing death, they usually seek a long term purpose in their lives or try to escape the futility of their lives by hastening death. If not, they prefer the coward's answer of "forgetting" death and loss. If it comes up anyway, they can chose drugs, adrenaline, frenzy or some other mind altering method.

As a Christian, I feel sorry for them -- been there and done that.

[GorterPoss]

@temple26797 Meaning is a subjective, human concept that works best with short and medium term horizons.

Cynical nihilists make two errors: (1)they presuppose life has meaning and then are disappointed when they do not find it. Further, (2) they mistakenly search for an objective, ultimate standard with which to gauge the meaning of their life, but no such standard exists and, in any case, finding meaning is a subjective endeavour.

Once you get over the mistaken approach nihilism fades

[temple26797]

@AnonymousPolitics5 As a nihilist I had nothing to live for, just like Ernest Hemingway and Hunter Thompson. That's why there is such a high rate of suicides among school kids who have been sold this tripe.

On the other hand, I now have purpose, something to live for and no fear of death. Go ahead and vote me down out of jealousy.

[AnonymousPolitics5]

@temple26797 with the promise of eternal happiness with God after you why not commit suicide. Don't tell people they ought to commit suicide because they don't believe in some magic God who knocked up a woman out of wedlock.

[Xenophanes21]

@RichardRoy2 Im not saying that you missed Camus point either, im certain you understand what he means by absurdity, just that youve taken the next step in a different direction, which is fine...

[Xenophanes21]

@RichardRoy2 He may have said something of the sort, but not from what I remember, and ive read most of his non-fiction works. He did not beleive that we in any way overcame absurdity in our day to day lives, he did not beleive any meaning could be derived whatsoever... The point of life, for him, is to rebel againts nihilism, what you said sounds nietzschean to me, in terms of self-definition and valuation/individual survival... Not saying your wrong, just dosent sound like Camus to me...

[RichardRoy2]

@Xenophanes21 I'm sorry I couldn't resist. I too was raised Roman Catholic. (and also no longer am). I would think the experience that would qualify you to say christianity was better than suicide would be to have experienced both. Since you're still alive, I'd have to presume you've not tried both. You don't think Camus agrees with the idea that the question of suicide is answered in our daily, moment to moment activities? Some reject suicide as a alternative, but that's still a choice isn't it

[youhavegeniusshins]

@Twolfe38 Well put. That comment made me want to lick your face.