There is no objective meaning in the universe. As humans we create it.
We are meaning creating beings. And we value this meaning, where non-human things – like universes and planets – do not.
Because of this, you could say that we live in an illusion. And therefore, all is worthless.
But I choose to say, although the meaning I find in the universe arises only because I am a human being who creates it in his own head – it is enough. I am what I am, and I can live with that. And I am content.
The universe did go to the trouble of producing human beings and all that they think and do. So they are part of the universe deal, not something distinct and separate from it.
In case it didn’t come across in my comment, I thought it was another brilliant comic. Very deep thinking behind it and very well executed. A complex idea made easier to digest.
I’m not an artist (so I don’t have an eye for these things), but I also noticed there was something different about the colouring. I liked it.
I usually love ES&D, so I’m real glad to see you do more of it! This one, whilst still cool, hit home a bit less for me. I’m not saying it sucks – it still stands out from the sea of crap you usually see with webcomics. It’s not that this one’s bad, it’s just less relatable. Perhaps it was in the delivery – though I suppose I see your point in the end.
On another note. I love that you don’t stick to a static style. You keep experimenting, keep thinking of ways to improve, to change, to wow us. I fuckin love that dude. I always say that you’re one of my favorite comic artists because of the shit you think up.
This comic seems in tune with the sort of existential whirlpool that has been growing in my mind for a long while now. I think after so long constantly challenging the beliefs that others pressed on me, the desire to unravel any kind of fantasy or unreality was ingrained into me, and I took it beyond reasonable limits.
When I finally got to the bottom, I had nothing, I had dismantled life right down to the last component, and couldn’t put it back together again. I’m still having trouble with that. The biggest obstacle is wondering if it’s even worth reassembling, even if I succeed I’ll still know how it works, that it’s all a lie, a densely woven web of illusion, and it will never be the same.
But Trent here is right, once we try and impose upon ourselves an objective viewpoint, start to consider things from the perspective of this cold, indifferent reality, all we can do is end up lost; to finally see reality for what it really is, and end up locked outside of the reality that humanity built for itself. Alone and shivering in the cold, while everyone else is warm inside.
b.patrick, your work is an inspiration to me. As fucked up as this world can be, it’s comforting to know that there are others with similar ideas and perspectives, and yet have an insight into life and the human condition that exceeds my own, who can see things that I just can’t quite see yet.
This comic is fantastic and demonstrates what I strongly believe in. I’m not saying I’m Taoist but the Taoist term “wu wei” means to do nothing. This illustrates the fullness that can flow within emptiness. Therefore, nothing can be anything… Everything. That’s why we (humans) can make so much of the universe, because it’s essentially nothing… We just objectify it. Now this extends to psychoanalysis and other things… Because an ideal(s) can be articulated in so many ways, just like how articulations can explain multiple ideals.
True.
There is no objective meaning in the universe. As humans we create it.
We are meaning creating beings. And we value this meaning, where non-human things – like universes and planets – do not.
Because of this, you could say that we live in an illusion. And therefore, all is worthless.
But I choose to say, although the meaning I find in the universe arises only because I am a human being who creates it in his own head – it is enough. I am what I am, and I can live with that. And I am content.
The universe did go to the trouble of producing human beings and all that they think and do. So they are part of the universe deal, not something distinct and separate from it.
In case it didn’t come across in my comment, I thought it was another brilliant comic. Very deep thinking behind it and very well executed. A complex idea made easier to digest.
I’m not an artist (so I don’t have an eye for these things), but I also noticed there was something different about the colouring. I liked it.
but RISING COMPLEXITY BRO
It’s kind of a cool and fairly unique thing in the universe.
But the relative value of that is up to the chap, anyway~
Love your stuff.
I usually love ES&D, so I’m real glad to see you do more of it! This one, whilst still cool, hit home a bit less for me. I’m not saying it sucks – it still stands out from the sea of crap you usually see with webcomics. It’s not that this one’s bad, it’s just less relatable. Perhaps it was in the delivery – though I suppose I see your point in the end.
On another note. I love that you don’t stick to a static style. You keep experimenting, keep thinking of ways to improve, to change, to wow us. I fuckin love that dude. I always say that you’re one of my favorite comic artists because of the shit you think up.
This comic seems in tune with the sort of existential whirlpool that has been growing in my mind for a long while now. I think after so long constantly challenging the beliefs that others pressed on me, the desire to unravel any kind of fantasy or unreality was ingrained into me, and I took it beyond reasonable limits.
When I finally got to the bottom, I had nothing, I had dismantled life right down to the last component, and couldn’t put it back together again. I’m still having trouble with that. The biggest obstacle is wondering if it’s even worth reassembling, even if I succeed I’ll still know how it works, that it’s all a lie, a densely woven web of illusion, and it will never be the same.
But Trent here is right, once we try and impose upon ourselves an objective viewpoint, start to consider things from the perspective of this cold, indifferent reality, all we can do is end up lost; to finally see reality for what it really is, and end up locked outside of the reality that humanity built for itself. Alone and shivering in the cold, while everyone else is warm inside.
b.patrick, your work is an inspiration to me. As fucked up as this world can be, it’s comforting to know that there are others with similar ideas and perspectives, and yet have an insight into life and the human condition that exceeds my own, who can see things that I just can’t quite see yet.
This comic is fantastic and demonstrates what I strongly believe in. I’m not saying I’m Taoist but the Taoist term “wu wei” means to do nothing. This illustrates the fullness that can flow within emptiness. Therefore, nothing can be anything… Everything. That’s why we (humans) can make so much of the universe, because it’s essentially nothing… We just objectify it. Now this extends to psychoanalysis and other things… Because an ideal(s) can be articulated in so many ways, just like how articulations can explain multiple ideals.
There are seven other planets in our solar system.
Get thee to Patreon:
http://www.patreon.com
It could work for you.
That first panel was the only time the words “fuck me now Trent” were ever used on the same baloon.