https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=The+leader+of+the+Red+Spiders 2026-05-22T16:32:55Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.30.0 https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=167:_Nihilism&diff=380215 2025-06-23T11:18:30Z

<p>The leader of the Red Spiders: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 167<br /> | date = October 6, 2006<br /> | title = Nihilism<br /> | image = nihilism.png<br /> | titletext = Why can't you have normal existential angst like all the other boys?<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> [[Cueball]] is walking with [[Beret Guy]] telling him about his beliefs in {{w|nihilism}}. At first, it seems as if he agrees to Cueball's statement, adding his own morbid point of view as if he follows the same psychology. Cueball agrees and continues the conversation, explaining how anything anyone does won't matter eventually, a common belief attributed to nihilists. Beret Guy responds rather dismissively and Cueball stops to ask Beret Guy why he's climbing the tree. When asked why he is doing so, Beret Guy responds with a cheerful and optimistic response about the future more fitting for his character, completely going against Cueball’s lecture. Cueball is now either trying to convince him otherwise or is put off from the sudden change of mood, while Beret Guy is oblivious to this. [[Squirrels]] are a reoccurring character in xkcd.<br /> <br /> The title text can be taken in two different ways. One way it can be interpreted is that Cueball is telling Beret Guy to have “normal existential angst” like other guys. People do usually have angst, but not in a existential, nihilistic sort of way. It can also be interpreted as Beret Guy scolding Cueball for having “existential angst” of an abnormal sort rather than having a normal amount of existential angst.<br /> <br /> {{w|Nihilism}} is the philosophy encompassing various views that reject specific facets of existence. Usually, nihilism is viewed as the idea that everything is pointless because we’re all going to die. This is, however, just a specific “position” of nihilism called {{w|existential nihilism}}. Other positions include the idea that moral values are nonexistent ({{w|moral nihilism}}), that knowledge is impossible ({{w|philosophical skepticism}}), etc. The concept of nihilism (or similar ideologies) can be found in the fields of {{w|ethics}}, {{w|epistemology}}, {{w|metaphysical philosophy}}, and {{w|axiology}} (or ‘value theory’).<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Beret Guy and Cueball approach a tree while talking.]<br /> :Cueball: There is no God. Our existence is without purpose.<br /> :[Beret Guy looks toward Cueball]<br /> :Beret Guy: Oh, definitely.<br /> :Beret Guy: We are adrift in an uncaring void indifferent to all our mortal toil.<br /> :[Cueball stops walking]<br /> :Cueball: Exactly! In the end, nothing we do matters.<br /> :[Beret Guy starts to climb the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Totally.<br /> :Cueball: We just... Why are you climbing that tree?<br /> :[Beret Guy is now completely in the tree’s branches.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Because the future is an adventure! Come on!<br /> :Cueball: But--<br /> :Beret Guy: Hey! I found ''squirrels''!<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> This is the first xkcd comic featuring [[Beret Guy]] and the first comic that mentions [[Squirrels]]. The first drawing of squirrels in a comic is in [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]].<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]<br /> [[Category:Religion]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Squirrels]]</div>

The leader of the Red Spiders https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=167:_Nihilism&diff=380035 2025-06-19T20:43:22Z

<p>The leader of the Red Spiders: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 167<br /> | date = October 6, 2006<br /> | title = Nihilism<br /> | image = nihilism.png<br /> | titletext = Why can't you have normal existential angst like all the other boys?<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> <br /> [[Cueball]] is walking with his (maybe) friend [[Beret Guy]]. He is telling him about his beliefs in {{w|nihilism}}. At first, it seems as if he agrees to Cueball’s statement, adding his own morbid point of view (rather halfheartedly) as if he follows the same psychology. At the time of writing, this is very unlike Beret Guy, but as it is his first xkcd appearance, not much is known about his character or personality yet. Cueball agrees and continues to add on to the conversation, explaining how anything anyone does won’t matter in the long run, a common belief attributed to nihilists. Beret Guy, now halfway up a nearby tree, responds rather dismissively, as if he is trying to ignore Cueball’s morbid rant. Cueball keeps going, but stops when he realizes Beret Guy is climbing the tree. When asked why he is doing so, Beret Guy responds with a cheerful and optimistic response about the future more fitting for his character, completely going against Cueball’s lecture. Cueball is now either trying to convince him otherwise or is completely exasperated/put off from the sudden change of mood. Beret Guy, being the naïve little dude he is, is completely oblivious to this and continues his search in the tree and finds squirrels.<br /> <br /> The title text can be taken in two different ways. One way it can be interpreted is that Cueball is telling Beret Guy to have “normal existential angst” like other guys. People do usually have angst, but not in a existential, nihilistic sort of way. It can also be interpreted as Beret Guy scolding Cueball for having “existential angst” of an abnormal sort rather than having a normal amount of existential angst.<br /> <br /> [[Squirrels]] are a reoccurring character in xkcd.<br /> <br /> {{w|Nihilism}}, contrary to common belief, is not thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. Or rather, it’s not ''only'' thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. This specific ideology is just a position of nihilism called {{w|existential nihilism}}. Nihilism is actually the philosophy encompassing various views that reject specific facets of existence. Other positions include the idea that moral values are nonexistent ({{w|moral nihilism}}), that knowledge is impossible ({{w|philosophical skepticism}}), etc etc. Nihilism can be found in {{w|ethics}}, {{w|epistemology}}, {{w|metaphysical philosophy}}, and {{w|axiology}}.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Beret Guy and Cueball approach a tree while talking.]<br /> :Cueball: There is no God. Our existence is without purpose.<br /> :[Beret Guy looks toward Cueball]<br /> :Beret Guy: Oh, definitely.<br /> :Beret Guy: We are adrift in an uncaring void indifferent to all our mortal toil.<br /> :[Cueball stops walking]<br /> :Cueball: Exactly! In the end, nothing we do matters.<br /> :[Beret Guy starts to climb the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Totally.<br /> :Cueball: We just... Why are you climbing that tree?<br /> :[Beret Guy is now completely in the tree’s branches.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Because the future is an adventure! Come on!<br /> :Cueball: But--<br /> :Beret Guy: Hey! I found ''squirrels''!<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> This is the first xkcd comic featuring [[Beret Guy]].<br /> <br /> This is also the first comic that mentions [[Squirrels]]. The first drawing of squirrels in a comic is in [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]]<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]<br /> [[Category:Religion]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Squirrels]]</div>

The leader of the Red Spiders https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=167:_Nihilism&diff=380034 2025-06-19T20:42:16Z

<p>The leader of the Red Spiders: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 167<br /> | date = October 6, 2006<br /> | title = Nihilism<br /> | image = nihilism.png<br /> | titletext = Why can't you have normal existential angst like all the other boys?<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> <br /> [[Cueball]] is walking with his (maybe) friend [[Beret Guy]]. He is telling him about his beliefs in {{w|nihilism}}. At first, it seems as if he agrees to Cueball’s statement, adding his own morbid point of view (rather halfheartedly) as if he follows the same psychology. At the time of writing, this is very unlike Beret Guy, but as it is his first xkcd appearance, not much is known about his character or personality yet. Cueball agrees and continues to add on to the conversation, explaining how anything anyone does won’t matter in the long run, a common belief attributed to nihilists. Beret Guy, now halfway up a nearby tree, responds rather dismissively, as if he is trying to ignore Cueball’s morbid rant. Cueball keeps going, but stops when he realizes Beret Guy is climbing the tree. When asked why he is doing so, Beret Guy responds with a cheerful and optimistic response about the future more fitting for his character, completely going against Cueball’s lecture. Cueball is now either trying to convince him otherwise or is completely exasperated/put off from the sudden change of mood. Beret Guy, being the naïve little dude he is, is completely oblivious to this and continues his search in the tree and finds squirrels.<br /> <br /> The title text can be taken in two different ways. One way it can be interpreted is that Cueball is telling Beret Guy to have “normal existential angst” like other guys. People do usually have angst, but not in a existential, nihilistic sort of way. It can also be interpreted as Beret Guy scolding Cueball for having “existential angst” of an abnormal sort rather than having a normal amount of existential angst.<br /> <br /> [[Squirrels]] are a reoccurring character in xkcd.<br /> <br /> {{w|Nihilism}}, contrary to common belief, is not thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. Or rather, it’s not ''only'' thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. That type of thinking is just a position of nihilism called {{w|existential nihilism}}. Nihilism is actually the philosophy encompassing various views that reject specific facets of existence. Other positions include the idea that moral values are nonexistent ({{w|moral nihilism}}), that knowledge is impossible ({{w|philosophical skepticism}}), etc etc. Nihilism can be found in {{w|ethics}}, {{w|epistemology}}, {{w|metaphysical philosophy}}, and {{w|axiology}}.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Beret Guy and Cueball approach a tree while talking.]<br /> :Cueball: There is no God. Our existence is without purpose.<br /> :[Beret Guy looks toward Cueball]<br /> :Beret Guy: Oh, definitely.<br /> :Beret Guy: We are adrift in an uncaring void indifferent to all our mortal toil.<br /> :[Cueball stops walking]<br /> :Cueball: Exactly! In the end, nothing we do matters.<br /> :[Beret Guy starts to climb the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Totally.<br /> :Cueball: We just... Why are you climbing that tree?<br /> :[Beret Guy is now completely in the tree’s branches.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Because the future is an adventure! Come on!<br /> :Cueball: But--<br /> :Beret Guy: Hey! I found ''squirrels''!<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> This is the first xkcd comic featuring [[Beret Guy]].<br /> <br /> This is also the first comic that mentions [[Squirrels]]. The first drawing of squirrels in a comic is in [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]]<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]<br /> [[Category:Religion]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Squirrels]]</div>

The leader of the Red Spiders https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=167:_Nihilism&diff=380033 2025-06-19T20:40:54Z

<p>The leader of the Red Spiders: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 167<br /> | date = October 6, 2006<br /> | title = Nihilism<br /> | image = nihilism.png<br /> | titletext = Why can't you have normal existential angst like all the other boys?<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> <br /> [[Cueball]] is walking with his (maybe) friend [[Beret Guy]]. He is telling him about his beliefs in {{w|nihilism}}. At first, it seems as if he agrees to Cueball’s statement, adding his own morbid point of view (rather halfheartedly) as if he follows the same psychology. At the time of writing, this is very unlike Beret Guy, but as it is his first xkcd appearance, not much is known about his character or personality yet. Cueball agrees and continues to add on to the conversation, explaining how anything anyone does won’t matter in the long run, a common belief attributed to nihilists. Beret Guy, now halfway up a nearby tree, responds rather dismissively, as if he is trying to ignore Cueball’s morbid rant. Cueball keeps going, but stops when he realizes Beret Guy is climbing the tree. When asked why he is doing so, Beret Guy responds with a cheerful and optimistic response about the future more fitting for his character, completely going against Cueball’s lecture. Cueball is now either trying to convince him otherwise or is completely exasperated/put off from the sudden change of mood. Beret Guy, being the naïve little dude he is, is completely oblivious to this and continues his search in the tree and finds squirrels.<br /> <br /> The title text can be taken in two different ways. One way it can be interpreted is that Cueball is telling Beret Guy to have “normal existential angst” like other guys. People do usually have angst, but not in a existential, nihilistic sort of way. It can also be interpreted as Beret Guy scolding Cueball for having “existential angst” of an abnormal sort rather than having a normal amount of existential angst.<br /> <br /> [[Squirrels]] are a reoccurring character in xkcd.<br /> <br /> {{w|Nihilism}}, contrary to common belief, is not thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. Or rather, it’s not only thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. That type of thinking is just a position of nihilism called {{w|existential nihilism}}. Nihilism is actually the philosophy encompassing various views that reject specific facets of existence. Other positions include the idea that moral values are nonexistent ({{w|moral nihilism}}), that knowledge is impossible ({{w|philosophical skepticism}}), etc etc. Nihilism can be found in {{w|ethics}}, {{w|epistemology}}, {{w|metaphysical philosophy}}, and {{w|axiology}}.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Beret Guy and Cueball approach a tree while talking.]<br /> :Cueball: There is no God. Our existence is without purpose.<br /> :[Beret Guy looks toward Cueball]<br /> :Beret Guy: Oh, definitely.<br /> :Beret Guy: We are adrift in an uncaring void indifferent to all our mortal toil.<br /> :[Cueball stops walking]<br /> :Cueball: Exactly! In the end, nothing we do matters.<br /> :[Beret Guy starts to climb the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Totally.<br /> :Cueball: We just... Why are you climbing that tree?<br /> :[Beret Guy is now completely in the tree’s branches.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Because the future is an adventure! Come on!<br /> :Cueball: But--<br /> :Beret Guy: Hey! I found ''squirrels''!<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> This is the first xkcd comic featuring [[Beret Guy]].<br /> <br /> This is also the first comic that mentions [[Squirrels]]. The first drawing of squirrels in a comic is in [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]]<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]<br /> [[Category:Religion]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Squirrels]]</div>

The leader of the Red Spiders https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=167:_Nihilism&diff=380032 2025-06-19T20:36:54Z

<p>The leader of the Red Spiders: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 167<br /> | date = October 6, 2006<br /> | title = Nihilism<br /> | image = nihilism.png<br /> | titletext = Why can't you have normal existential angst like all the other boys?<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> <br /> [[Cueball]] is walking with his (maybe) friend [[Beret Guy]]. He is telling him about his beliefs in {{w|nihilism}}. At first, it seems as if he agrees to Cueball’s statement, adding his own morbid point of view (rather halfheartedly) as if he follows the same psychology. At the time of writing, this is very unlike Beret Guy, but as it is his first xkcd appearance, not much is known about his character or personality yet. Cueball agrees and continues to add on to the conversation, explaining how anything anyone does won’t matter in the long run, a common belief attributed to nihilists. Beret Guy, now halfway up a nearby tree, responds rather dismissively, as if he is trying to ignore Cueball’s morbid rant. Cueball keeps going, but stops when he realizes Beret Guy is climbing the tree. When asked why he is doing so, Beret Guy responds with a cheerful and optimistic response about the future more fitting for his character, completely going against Cueball’s lecture. Cueball is now either trying to convince him otherwise or is completely exasperated/put off from the sudden change of mood. Beret Guy, being the naïve little dude he is, is completely oblivious to this and continues his search in the tree and finds squirrels.<br /> <br /> The title text can be taken in two different ways. One way it can be interpreted is that Cueball is telling Beret Guy to have “normal existential angst” like other guys. People do usually have angst, but not in a existential, nihilistic sort of way. It can also be interpreted as Beret Guy scolding Cueball for having “existential angst” of an abnormal sort rather than having a normal amount of existential angst.<br /> <br /> [[Squirrels]] are a reoccurring character in xkcd.<br /> <br /> {{w|Nihilism}}, contrary to common belief, is not thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. Or rather, it’s not only thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. That type of thinking is just a position of nihilism called {{w|existential nihilism}}. Nihilism is actually the philosophy encompassing various views that reject specific facets of existence. Other positions include the idea that moral values are nonexistent ({{w|moral nihilism}}), that knowledge is impossible ({{w|philosophical skepticism}}), etc etc. Nihilism can be found in {{w|ethics}}, {{w|epistemology}}, {{w|metaphysical philosophy}}, and {{w|axiology}}.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Beret Guy and Cueball approach a tree while talking.]<br /> :Cueball: There is no God. Our existence is without purpose.<br /> :Beret Guy: Oh, definitely.<br /> :Beret Guy: We are adrift in an uncaring void indifferent to all our mortal toil.<br /> :Cueball: Exactly! In the end, nothing we do matters.<br /> :[Beret Guy climbs the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Totally.<br /> :Cueball: We just... Why are you climbing that tree?<br /> :[Beret Guy is now completely submerged in the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Because the future is an adventure! Come on!<br /> :Cueball: But--<br /> :Beret Guy: Hey! I found ''squirrels''!<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> This is the first xkcd comic featuring [[Beret Guy]].<br /> <br /> This is also the first comic that mentions [[Squirrels]]. The first drawing of squirrels in a comic is in [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]]<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]<br /> [[Category:Religion]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Squirrels]]</div>

The leader of the Red Spiders https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=167:_Nihilism&diff=380031 2025-06-19T20:35:55Z

<p>The leader of the Red Spiders: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 167<br /> | date = October 6, 2006<br /> | title = Nihilism<br /> | image = nihilism.png<br /> | titletext = Why can't you have normal existential angst like all the other boys?<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|The explanation is too short and doesn't fully explain the comic.}}<br /> <br /> [[Cueball]] is walking with his (maybe) friend [[Beret Guy]]. He is telling him about his beliefs in {{w|nihilism}}. At first, it seems as if he agrees to Cueball’s statement, adding his own morbid point of view (rather halfheartedly) as if he follows the same psychology. At the time of writing, this is very unlike Beret Guy, but as it is his first xkcd appearance, not much is known about his character or personality yet. Cueball agrees and continues to add on to the conversation, explaining how anything anyone does won’t matter in the long run, a common belief attributed to nihilists. Beret Guy, now halfway up a nearby tree, responds rather dismissively, as if he is trying to ignore Cueball’s morbid rant. Cueball keeps going, but stops when he realizes Beret Guy is climbing the tree. When asked why he is doing so, Beret Guy responds with a cheerful and optimistic response about the future more fitting for his character, completely going against Cueball’s lecture. Cueball is now either trying to convince him otherwise or is completely exasperated/put off from the sudden change of mood. Beret Guy, being the naïve little dude he is, is completely oblivious to this and continues his search in the tree and finds squirrels.<br /> <br /> The title text can be taken in two different ways. One way it can be interpreted is that Cueball is telling Beret Guy to have “normal existential angst” like other guys. People do usually have angst, but not in a existential, nihilistic sort of way. It can also be interpreted as Beret Guy scolding Cueball for having “existential angst” of an abnormal sort rather than having a normal amount of existential angst.<br /> <br /> [[Squirrels]] are a reoccurring character in xkcd.<br /> <br /> {{w|Nihilism}}, contrary to common belief, is not thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. Or rather, it’s not only thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. That type of thinking is just a position of nihilism called {{w|existential nihilism}}. Nihilism is actually the philosophy encompassing various views that reject specific facets of existence. Other positions include the idea that moral values are nonexistent ({{w|moral nihilism}}), that knowledge is impossible ({{w|philosophical skepticism}}), etc etc. Nihilism can be found in {{w|ethics}}, {{w|epistemology}}, {{w|metaphysical philosophy}}, and {{w|axiology}}.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Beret Guy and Cueball approach a tree while talking.]<br /> :Cueball: There is no God. Our existence is without purpose.<br /> :Beret Guy: Oh, definitely.<br /> :Beret Guy: We are adrift in an uncaring void indifferent to all our mortal toil.<br /> :Cueball: Exactly! In the end, nothing we do matters.<br /> :[Beret Guy climbs the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Totally.<br /> :Cueball: We just... Why are you climbing that tree?<br /> :[Beret Guy is now completely submerged in the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Because the future is an adventure! Come on!<br /> :Cueball: But--<br /> :Beret Guy: Hey! I found ''squirrels''!<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> This is the first xkcd comic featuring [[Beret Guy]].<br /> <br /> This is also the first comic that mentions [[Squirrels]]. The first drawing of squirrels in a comic is in [[635: Locke and Demosthenes]]<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]<br /> [[Category:Religion]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Squirrels]]</div>

The leader of the Red Spiders https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=167:_Nihilism&diff=380030 2025-06-19T20:27:58Z

<p>The leader of the Red Spiders: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 167<br /> | date = October 6, 2006<br /> | title = Nihilism<br /> | image = nihilism.png<br /> | titletext = Why can't you have normal existential angst like all the other boys?<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|The explanation is too short and doesn't fully explain the comic.}}<br /> <br /> [[Cueball]] is walking with his (maybe) friend [[Beret Guy]]. He is telling him about his beliefs in {{w|nihilism}}. At first, it seems as if he agrees to Cueball’s statement, adding his own morbid point of view (rather halfheartedly) as if he follows the same psychology. At the time of writing, this is very unlike Beret Guy, but as it is his first xkcd appearance, not much is known about his character or personality yet. Cueball agrees and continues to add on to the conversation, explaining how anything anyone does won’t matter in the long run, a common belief attributed to nihilists. Beret Guy, now halfway up a nearby tree, responds rather dismissively, as if he is trying to ignore Cueball’s morbid rant. Cueball keeps going, but stops when he realizes Beret Guy is climbing the tree. When asked why he is doing so, Beret Guy responds with a cheerful and optimistic response about the future more fitting for his character, completely going against Cueball’s lecture. Cueball is now either trying to convince him otherwise or is completely exasperated/put off from the sudden change of mood. Beret Guy, being the naïve little dude he is, is completely oblivious to this and continues his search in the tree and finds squirrels.<br /> <br /> The title text can be taken in two different ways. One way it can be interpreted is that Cueball is telling Beret Guy to have “normal existential angst” like other guys. People do usually have angst, but not in a existential, nihilistic sort of way. It can also be interpreted as Beret Guy scolding Cueball for having “existential angst” of an abnormal sort rather than having a normal amount of existential angst.<br /> <br /> [[Squirrels]] are a reoccurring character in xkcd.<br /> <br /> {{w|Nihilism}}, contrary to common belief, is not thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. Or rather, it’s not only thinking that everything is useless because we will all die. That type of thinking is just a position of nihilism called {{w|existential nihilism}}. Nihilism is actually the philosophy encompassing various views that reject specific facets of existence. Other positions include the idea that moral values are nonexistent ({{w|moral nihilism}}), that knowledge is impossible ({{w|philosophical skepticism}}), etc etc. Nihilism can be found in {{w|ethics}}, {{w|epistemology}}, {{w|metaphysical philosophy}}, and {{w|axiology}}.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> :[Beret Guy and Cueball approach a tree while talking.]<br /> :Cueball: There is no God. Our existence is without purpose.<br /> :Beret Guy: Oh, definitely.<br /> :Beret Guy: We are adrift in an uncaring void indifferent to all our mortal toil.<br /> :Cueball: Exactly! In the end, nothing we do matters.<br /> :[Beret Guy climbs the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Totally.<br /> :Cueball: We just... Why are you climbing that tree?<br /> :[Beret Guy is now completely submerged in the tree.]<br /> :Beret Guy: Because the future is an adventure! Come on!<br /> :Cueball: But--<br /> :Beret Guy: Hey! I found ''squirrels''!<br /> <br /> ==Trivia==<br /> This is the first xkcd comic featuring [[Beret Guy]].<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Beret Guy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Philosophy]]<br /> [[Category:Religion]]<br /> [[Category:Comics with color]]<br /> [[Category:Squirrels]]</div>

The leader of the Red Spiders