Beyond the VOID: The Inevitability of Oblivion

[L'absent]

Existence is the cruelest of paradoxes: an insignificant spark in the belly of a universe that never asked to exist. We are fragments of sentient dust, chained to a cycle of senseless suffering, born to decay, destined for eternal oblivion. Every breath is an insult, a futile act against the pure perfection of emptiness. Living is nothing more than prolonging a sentence inflicted by no one, for no reason.
Death is not the end, because nothing ever truly began. It is merely a return to the nothingness from which we were vomited. Nonexistence is the only natural state, and existence is an aberrant interference, an error that corrects itself with silence. Every step toward death is liberation, not because life is painful, but because it is utterly meaningless. Pain or joy, hope or despair—everything is equally irrelevant in the face of eternal absence.
Every moment lived is an affront to the logic of nothingness, a senseless rebellion against the only absolute reality: that nothing matters, nothing is real, nothing will ever endure. Life is a disease, an anomaly that manifests only to consume itself. Every thought, every emotion, every desire is but a spark from a brain destined to extinguish itself, leaving behind not memory, but an absolute silence deeper and vaster than anything we can imagine.
Suicide is neither an act of courage nor an escape but a necessary correction. It is the ultimate acknowledgment that existence has no right to be. It is an act that celebrates nothingness, the only perfect state. Life, on the other hand, is an intruder, a deformity that screams its senselessness in every moment of pain, in every unmet need, in every bond that inevitably breaks.
The universe itself is an abyss without consciousness, without intention, without purpose. Every burning star, every expanding galaxy, every consuming planet is just a step toward the inevitable: dissipated heat, scattered matter, final oblivion. Life is less than a discordant note in this symphony of nothingness; it is a noise that fades before it is even heard. And what we call humanity is nothing but a ridiculous accident, a cruel game of matter, dancing briefly before dissolving into the void.
The future is irrelevant, the past is forgotten, and the present is nothing but a flash of pain in the vastness of senselessness. No one will remember. No one will know. Nothing will ever have mattered. In a thousand years, our world will be dust. In a billion years, the Earth will be devoured by the Sun. In a trillion years, there will be no stars, no galaxies, no light. And all of this will be as if it had never happened.
So why hesitate? Why prolong this obscene performance? There is no escape from the realization that everything that exists is already dead. There is no solace, no redemption, no hope. Only the eternal return to nothingness, the only perfection possible in a universe that never wanted us.

 

[cotton]

How long have you been contemplating ctb?

 

[dust-in-the-wind]

Well written post. Although I do believe nothingness is impossible as energy cannot be destroyed. It just changes form. No matter if you believe in the big bang or God created the universe, something has to have always existed for either to be possible. It's impossible for our little brains to comprehend.

 

[parasite_eve]

I imagine we can have both- the nothingness of whatever is "outside" or between our universe(s), what's inside the singularity of a black hole... and yet our atoms will indeed persist in various forms of matter and energy ad infintem... perhaps until the heat death of the universe when every quark is infinitely apart from every other?

Cosmic wonder inspires spiritually for me and peace that we were once star stuff and so shall we return.

The gold in our DNA was forged by merging neutron stars billions of years ago and here we are skeletons piloting meat like mechs because of that.

 

[L'absent]

Well written post. Although I do believe nothingness is impossible as energy cannot be destroyed. It just changes form. No matter if you believe in the big bang or God created the universe, something has to have always existed for either to be possible. It's impossible for our little brains to comprehend.

I understand your point of view, but I don't believe it's accurate to claim that things have always existed. The Big Bang theory, for example, shows us that space, time, matter, and energy had a beginning around 13.8 billion years ago. Before that moment, neither time nor space as we know them existed, so talking about 'always' doesn't make sense in that context.
Furthermore, the second law of thermodynamics tells us that an isolated system tends toward maximum disorder (entropy). If the universe were eternal, it would have already reached a state of complete equilibrium, with no possibility of change. The fact that we are still in a dynamic universe suggests it had a beginning.
From a logical perspective, an infinite past creates a paradox: if time were eternal, we could never reach the present, because infinity cannot be traversed. This implies that time itself must have had a beginning.
Finally, even though some quantum theories suggest that particles can spontaneously emerge from a quantum vacuum, this does not imply that something has always existed. The quantum vacuum is not absolute nothingness but rather a physical condition that does not require eternity.
In summary, the idea that 'things have always existed' is unsupported by both science and logic. This universe, which I find deeply horrifying rather than wonderful, is not eternal and remains, in any case, meaningless.

I imagine we can have both- the nothingness of whatever is "outside" or between our universe(s), what's inside the singularity of a black hole... and yet our atoms will indeed persist in various forms of matter and energy ad infintem... perhaps until the heat death of the universe when every quark is infinitely apart from every other?

Cosmic wonder inspires spiritually for me and peace that we were once star stuff and so shall we return.

The gold in our DNA was forged by merging neutron stars billions of years ago and here we are skeletons piloting meat like mechs because of that.

It's interesting how you find spiritual inspiration in the 'cosmic wonder,' but I don't share this perspective. To me, what you describe isn't wonderful but rather a cosmic horror: an eternal cycle of matter and energy without purpose, without meaning. The idea that our atoms persist infinitely in new forms doesn't bring me peace; it's just another example of the universe's brutal indifference.
Being 'star stuff' may sound poetic, but I find nothing fascinating about the idea that life is merely a byproduct of accidental nuclear fusions, a temporary existence before returning to a state of disintegration. The thought that our ultimate fate is to contribute to the universe's heat death, where every particle will be infinitely distant from every other, doesn't inspire me—it underscores the horror of an existence trapped in a meaningless cycle.
The image of skeletons piloting flesh as mechs is certainly evocative, but it only reinforces the notion of life as absurd and cruel mechanics, a play of matter that briefly dances before dissolving into nothingness. Why seek peace or beauty in any of this?

 

[Forever Sleep]

I understand your point of view, but I don't believe it's accurate to claim that things have always existed. The Big Bang theory, for example, shows us that space, time, matter, and energy had a beginning around 13.8 billion years ago. Before that moment, neither time nor space as we know them existed, so talking about 'always' doesn't make sense in that context.
Furthermore, the second law of thermodynamics tells us that an isolated system tends toward maximum disorder (entropy). If the universe were eternal, it would have already reached a state of complete equilibrium, with no possibility of change. The fact that we are still in a dynamic universe suggests it had a beginning.
From a logical perspective, an infinite past creates a paradox: if time were eternal, we could never reach the present, because infinity cannot be traversed. This implies that time itself must have had a beginning.
Finally, even though some quantum theories suggest that particles can spontaneously emerge from a quantum vacuum, this does not imply that something has always existed. The quantum vacuum is not absolute nothingness but rather a physical condition that does not require eternity.
In summary, the idea that 'things have always existed' is unsupported by both science and logic. This universe, which I find deeply horrifying rather than wonderful, is not eternal and remains, in any case, meaningless.

It's interesting how you find spiritual inspiration in the 'cosmic wonder,' but I don't share this perspective. To me, what you describe isn't wonderful but rather a cosmic horror: an eternal cycle of matter and energy without purpose, without meaning. The idea that our atoms persist infinitely in new forms doesn't bring me peace; it's just another example of the universe's brutal indifference.
Being 'star stuff' may sound poetic, but I find nothing fascinating about the idea that life is merely a byproduct of accidental nuclear fusions, a temporary existence before returning to a state of disintegration. The thought that our ultimate fate is to contribute to the universe's heat death, where every particle will be infinitely distant from every other, doesn't inspire me—it underscores the horror of an existence trapped in a meaningless cycle.
The image of skeletons piloting flesh as mechs is certainly evocative, but it only reinforces the notion of life as absurd and cruel mechanics, a play of matter that briefly dances before dissolving into nothingness. Why seek peace or beauty in any of this?

You're clearly much more knowledgable than me but, I also struggle with this idea of 'something from nothing' when it comes to the creation of our universe.

Our measure of time can certainly be said to have begun at the big bang- as it relates to us. But, how can you be so sure time and objects didn't exist before it? Surely, so long as there was matter in space, there was time. Objects are in effect, the measure of time. I suppose, if you're right and there was absolutely nothing at one point, then there would be no time but- I suppose I just can't get my head around that.

I suppose I see both narratives as typically human. Either that everything has to have a beginning- linear time. Or, my incomprehension of a whole multiverse of matter suddenly just appearing because my brain is too small to compute that. I've read very briefly about quantum vacuums but- is there really proof for this?

Whatever happened, it's all pretty odd in some ways but, comprehensible in others. Evolution via natural selection makes sense. The bit before seems more random.

Out of interest- do you think sentient life similar or more developed than us lives on other planets? If so, do you suppose they see their lives as equally meaningless? Could any life be meaningful?

 

[Richard Langford]

Well written post. Although I do believe nothingness is impossible as energy cannot be destroyed. It just changes form. No matter if you believe in the big bang or God created the universe, something has to have always existed for either to be possible. It's impossible for our little brains to comprehend.

Your last sentence sums it up for me. It is impossible for us to comprehend. Some on here might believe in "nothingness". Some of us have experienced events that pointedly suggest otherwise. I have and I can't explain them. It just makes me personally believe thats there's more going on in life and probably afterwards than we comprehend.

 

[L'absent]

You're clearly much more knowledgable than me but, I also struggle with this idea of 'something from nothing' when it comes to the creation of our universe.

Our measure of time can certainly be said to have begun at the big bang- as it relates to us. But, how can you be so sure time and objects didn't exist before it? Surely, so long as there was matter in space, there was time. Objects are in effect, the measure of time. I suppose, if you're right and there was absolutely nothing at one point, then there would be no time but- I suppose I just can't get my head around that.

I suppose I see both narratives as typically human. Either that everything has to have a beginning- linear time. Or, my incomprehension of a whole multiverse of matter suddenly just appearing because my brain is too small to compute that. I've read very briefly about quantum vacuums but- is there really proof for this?

Whatever happened, it's all pretty odd in some ways but, comprehensible in others. Evolution via natural selection makes sense. The bit before seems more random.

Out of interest- do you think sentient life similar or more developed than us lives on other planets? If so, do you suppose they see their lives as equally meaningless? Could any life be meaningful?

Your difficulty in grasping the idea of "something from nothing" is understandable, and yet the truth is that, from a scientific standpoint, there was nothing before the Big Bang. Before that moment, neither time nor space existed, and this is a concept that completely challenges our perception of reality. We always think in terms of cause and effect, and our brains are incapable of comprehending the idea of absolute absence. But nothing is not just an empty void; it is the complete absence of anything, of any form of existence. And yet, when we look at the universe today, we realize that what we consider "real" is just a brief, fleeting distortion in the infinite, destined to disappear into nothingness. Time itself, as we know it, is nothing more than an illusion created by our limited perception.
Speaking of quantum vacuums, we must not fall into the error of thinking that the universe has a mysterious origin or hidden meaning. The quantum vacuum is not absolute nothingness, but simply a field of fluctuations that gives rise to particles for a brief moment, only to disappear into oblivion. The idea that there could be a "reason" for all of this is just a human fantasy. Science offers no comfort; it only tells us that everything is random, destined to return to nothing, without purpose or end.
As for extraterrestrial life, the possibility that life exists elsewhere in the vast universe is just a statistic, a probability that changes nothing about our condition. If there are indeed other sentient forms of life, what would they do but struggle for survival, just like us? And if they too think about this abyss of meaninglessness, of purposelessness? Our existence is the result of chance, a randomness that has adapted to an indifferent world. Our struggle to assign meaning to life is merely a reaction to the awareness of our finiteness and the absence of any universal order.
And when we talk about the meaning of life, we must face a terrible reality: if there is no design, if the universe has no purpose, then even our existence is devoid of meaning. There is nothing that can make our days meaningful, except our desperate need to create it, but the result is always the same: oblivion. The idea that life could have "meaning" is a lie we tell ourselves to confront the horror of our fate: the universe ignores us, and our passing on this Earth is but a moment in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, without purpose, without justice, without beauty.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Your difficulty in grasping the idea of "something from nothing" is understandable, and yet the truth is that, from a scientific standpoint, there was nothing before the Big Bang. Before that moment, neither time nor space existed, and this is a concept that completely challenges our perception of reality. We always think in terms of cause and effect, and our brains are incapable of comprehending the idea of absolute absence. But nothing is not just an empty void; it is the complete absence of anything, of any form of existence. And yet, when we look at the universe today, we realize that what we consider "real" is just a brief, fleeting distortion in the infinite, destined to disappear into nothingness. Time itself, as we know it, is nothing more than an illusion created by our limited perception.
Speaking of quantum vacuums, we must not fall into the error of thinking that the universe has a mysterious origin or hidden meaning. The quantum vacuum is not absolute nothingness, but simply a field of fluctuations that gives rise to particles for a brief moment, only to disappear into oblivion. The idea that there could be a "reason" for all of this is just a human fantasy. Science offers no comfort; it only tells us that everything is random, destined to return to nothing, without purpose or end.
As for extraterrestrial life, the possibility that life exists elsewhere in the vast universe is just a statistic, a probability that changes nothing about our condition. If there are indeed other sentient forms of life, what would they do but struggle for survival, just like us? And if they too think about this abyss of meaninglessness, of purposelessness? Our existence is the result of chance, a randomness that has adapted to an indifferent world. Our struggle to assign meaning to life is merely a reaction to the awareness of our finiteness and the absence of any universal order.
And when we talk about the meaning of life, we must face a terrible reality: if there is no design, if the universe has no purpose, then even our existence is devoid of meaning. There is nothing that can make our days meaningful, except our desperate need to create it, but the result is always the same: oblivion. The idea that life could have "meaning" is a lie we tell ourselves to confront the horror of our fate: the universe ignores us, and our passing on this Earth is but a moment in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, without purpose, without justice, without beauty.

I agree with a lot of what you've said. I certainly find it hard to align any kind of spiritual reason with any of this. I'm open to all suggestions but a lot of religions simply don't make sense to me and don't comfort me at all.

I suppose where I differ slightly is this idea of meaningless being utterly objective. Our feelings around meaning I would say are more about subjectivity.

A rich and talented footballer for instance could tell you they feel they fulfilled their purpose/ potential in life and they're happy. To them, that's their meaning. You could try to dampen their spirits- 'You might get injured in the next game, you'll have to retire young, you'll die and everyone will forget about you.'

What if they tell you, that doesn't bother them though? They have contingency plans to teach at a local club. They have children who are also talented in the game and are rising through the ranks.

It's a bit like telling someone they musn't like chocolate ice cream- even though it's their favourite. Or- they musn't be happy or sad about something. You can't tell someone to feel or not feel a certain way about something. Sentience gave rise to misery- sadly for most of us here but, also the polar oposite.

People who love sport, art, inventing, their spouses, their children, nature, academic achievement. Whatever it is that gets them out of bed in the morning. Not all of them will perceive it as a lame cover for the fact their life is pointless. They've been lucky enough to find something that motivates them to actually want to exist. Otherwise- they wouldn't- surely? There'd be no resistence to assisted suicide because everyone would agree life was utterly pointless. Birth rates would plumit. It's just not what we see in the world. I can't believe they're all sheeple in a delusion. I just think their experience/ fortune is different to ours. But, both views are valid- to my mind. Just as liking or not liking coffee is valid- it's a personal preference.

 

[L'absent]

I agree with a lot of what you've said. I certainly find it hard to align any kind of spiritual reason with any of this. I'm open to all suggestions but a lot of religions simply don't make sense to me and don't comfort me at all.

I suppose where I differ slightly is this idea of meaningless being utterly objective. Our feelings around meaning I would say are more about subjectivity.

A rich and talented footballer for instance could tell you they feel they fulfilled their purpose/ potential in life and they're happy. To them, that's their meaning. You could try to dampen their spirits- 'You might get injured in the next game, you'll have to retire young, you'll die and everyone will forget about you.'

What if they tell you, that doesn't bother them though? They have contingency plans to teach at a local club. They have children who are also talented in the game and are rising through the ranks.

It's a bit like telling someone they musn't like chocolate ice cream- even though it's their favourite. Or- they musn't be happy or sad about something. You can't tell someone to feel or not feel a certain way about something. Sentience gave rise to misery- sadly for most of us here but, also the polar oposite.

People who love sport, art, inventing, their spouses, their children, nature, academic achievement. Whatever it is that gets them out of bed in the morning. Not all of them will perceive it as a lame cover for the fact their life is pointless. They've been lucky enough to find something that motivates them to actually want to exist. Otherwise- they wouldn't- surely? There'd be no resistence to assisted suicide because everyone would agree life was utterly pointless. Birth rates would plumit. It's just not what we see in the world. I can't believe they're all sheeple in a delusion. I just think their experience/ fortune is different to ours. But, both views are valid- to my mind. Just as liking or not liking coffee is valid- it's a personal preference.

I understand that many people find satisfaction, purpose, and happiness in what they do, whether it's sports, art, or personal relationships. However, even though these experiences are real and meaningful to the individual, they do not change the objective reality of the universe. The fundamental truth is that the universe has no purpose, time and space are transient, and our existence is the result of blind chance. The illusion of subjective meaning that we create to give ourselves a sense of purpose is a response to the awareness of our finitude. Everything we do ultimately fades into nothing, leaving no trace or memory. Life is destined for oblivion, and despite our emotions and passions, there is no justification for existence beyond the randomness that brought us into being. So, while we may assign personal meaning to our lives, the universal truth is that everything is destined to dissolve, without purpose or end.