“Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes it’s awful.”
 

 - Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot

The present blog is based on a classroom task which is assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir that required viewing critical videos related to existentialism.

This blog reflects on the major themes discussed in the videos, raises five thought-provoking questions inspired by them, identifies my favourite video with reasons, and finally examines the key learning outcomes derived from this analytical exercise

Video 1: What Is Existentialism?

I am impressed by this video because it does not treat existentialism as a difficult or distant philosophy. Instead, it connects philosophical ideas directly to real human experiences like freedom, anxiety, despair, faith, and personal choice. The explanation of the Existential Triangle individuality, freedom, and passions helped me understand how these ideas are interconnected in everyday life. The video also impressed me because it does not give ready-made answers; it encourages the viewer to think independently and question the influence of society or the “herd.” Most importantly, it presents difficult emotions such as anguish and despair not as weaknesses, but as signs of an authentic and conscious life. This honest and personal approach made the philosophy feel relevant, meaningful, and deeply thought-provoking.

Video 2: The Myth of Sisyphus: The Absurd Reasoning (Feeling of the Absurd)

Why I Am Impressed by The Myth of Sisyphus

I am impressed by Albert Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus because it dares to ask the most honest and uncomfortable question: is life worth living? Instead of avoiding this question or covering it with comforting beliefs, Camus faces it directly and seriously.

What impresses me most is Camus’s idea that the absence of meaning does not automatically lead to suicide. This challenges a common assumption that life must have a purpose to be worth living. His argument feels bold and refreshing because it refuses easy conclusions and emotional reactions.

I am also impressed by how Camus explains the feeling of the absurd. He shows that absurdity is not something distant or rareit begins when we stop living mechanically and start thinking. This made me reflect on my own daily routine and question how often I truly live consciously.

Another reason I am impressed is Camus’s intellectual honesty. He does not offer false hope, religious comfort, or ready-made answers. Instead, he encourages us to stay with the problem and examine it logically. This commitment to truth, even when it is uncomfortable, makes his philosophy powerful.

Finally, I am impressed by Camus’s suggestion that continuing to live in full awareness of life’s absurdity is itself a form of courage. Rather than escaping through death, he proposes facing life as it is. This idea transforms existence from something meaningless into something deeply human.

Video 3: The Myth of Sisyphus: the notion of philosophical suicide 

Why This Impressed Me

This report impressed me because it explains Albert Camus’ idea of the absurd in a very clear and engaging way. It shows that the absurd is not something inside humans or the world alone, but a conflict between our search for meaning and the silence of the universe.

I was especially impressed by the explanation of philosophical suicide. The report clearly explains why Camus criticizes thinkers like Kierkegaard. Instead of living with the absurd, they escape it by taking a leap of faith. Camus believes this destroys intellectual honesty, and this idea made me rethink how people often choose comfort over truth.

Another strong point is the use of simple, everyday examples, such as routine moments in daily life, to explain complex philosophical ideas. This makes the philosophy easier to understand and more relatable.

The report also impressed me because it focuses on choosing truth over comfort. It does not give false hope or easy answers but encourages us to face reality honestly.

Overall, I am impressed because the report stays true to Camus’ philosophy. It teaches us that the absurd is not something to escape from, but something we must accept and live with consciously.

Video 4: Dadaism, Nihilism and Existentialism

I am impressed by this piece because it challenges the common belief that Dadaism was meaningless or purely chaotic. Instead, it presents Dada as a powerful and conscious response to the violence and moral failure of World War I. The essay explains how Dada was not about destruction for its own sake, but about questioning false values and creating space for new ways of thinking. I am especially impressed by how it connects Dadaism with philosophy, language, and existentialism, showing its deeper intellectual purpose. The strong language and thoughtful arguments make the movement feel relevant even today, which makes the essay engaging and impactful.

Video 5: Existentialism - a gloomy philosophy 

I am impressed by this writing because it completely changes the way existentialism is usually misunderstood. Instead of presenting it as a dark or pessimistic philosophy, it explains existentialism as a source of strength, courage, and liberation. The idea that despair is a diagnostic rather than the final condition is especially powerful—it shows that confronting suffering is the first step toward meaningful action. I also admire how the text emphasizes responsibility and choice, making freedom feel serious and purposeful rather than careless. Overall, this piece makes existentialism feel relevant, hopeful, and deeply human, not gloomy or detached from real life.

Video 6: Existentialism and Nihilism: Is it one and the same?

I am impressed by “Beyond the Void: Why Existentialism is the Antidote to Nihilism” because it completely changed the way I look at existentialism. Instead of presenting it as dark or depressing, the essay shows it as a philosophy of courage and resistance. What affected me most is the idea that meaninglessness is not something to fear but something that calls us to act. The discussion of individuality in Kierkegaard, value-creation in Nietzsche, and rebellion in Camus made me realize that existentialism places responsibility back into human hands. I especially connect with the contrast between passive acceptance and active rebellion, because it reflects how easy it is today to feel tired, detached, or powerless. Rather than encouraging despair, this essay motivates the reader to confront the void and choose engagement, struggle, and self-creation. That empowering message is what truly impressed me.

Video 7: Let us introduce Existentialism again!

I am impressed by this essay because it speaks honestly about the feeling of being lost in modern life. Instead of treating confusion as a problem, it shows it as the starting point of self-understanding. The idea that we must create our own meaning feels heavy, but also empowering. It made me reflect on how often we follow social expectations instead of making conscious choices for ourselves. This essay does not offer easy comfort, but it encourages courage, responsibility, and authenticity, which is why it left a strong impression on me.

Video 8: Explain like I'm Five: Existentialism and Nietzsche:

It questions authority you’ve grown up accepting, names the discomfort behind “because I said so,” and gives that rebellion an intellectual voice. It doesn’t comfort you with easy morality it challenges you to think about freedom, responsibility, and power in an unsettling way.

Most of all, it trusts you as a reader. It assumes you’re strong enough to sit with uncomfortable ideas instead of rejecting them outright. That mix of recognition, challenge, and honesty is what makes it stay with you and why it impresses you.

Video 9: Why I like Existentialism? Eric Dodson

I am impressed by this video because it explains existentialism in a very simple and relatable way. The video highlights how existentialism focuses on individual freedom, personal choice, and responsibility, which feels very relevant to modern life. It made me realise that meaning in life is not given by society, religion, or fate, but is something each person has to create for themselves. I was especially impressed by the idea that even though life can seem meaningless or uncertain, humans still have the power to choose their actions and shape their identity. The video encouraged me to think deeply about my own decisions, passions, and individuality, which is why it left a strong impact on me.

Video 10: Let us sum up: From Essentialism to Existentialism

I am impressed by this video because it explains a complex philosophical idea   existentialism — in a way that is easy to understand and engaging. The video challenges the traditional belief that life has a predetermined purpose and instead shows how people can create their own meaning through their choices and actions. This idea of freedom and responsibility really stood out to me because it makes you think deeply about how your own decisions shape who you are — rather than just following what others expect. The way the video contrasts essentialism with existentialism and highlights concepts like authentic living and the importance of choosing your own values made the topic feel personally relevant and inspiring. Overall, it helped me see that even in a world without inherent meaning, we can give our lives purpose through the way we choose to live.

Five Thought-Provoking Questions (with Reasons)

1. If life has no fixed meaning, how far am I truly responsible for creating my own purpose?
   This question provokes my thinking because existentialism repeatedly stresses freedom along with responsibility. It made me reflect on whether I genuinely take responsibility for my choices or quietly rely on society, tradition, or circumstances to define my life.

2. Is choosing comfort through belief or routine a form of escape from truth, as Camus suggests?
   This question challenges my everyday habits. It made me think about how often people (including myself) prefer comforting explanations rather than facing uncertainty and discomfort honestly.

3. Can despair and anxiety be signs of awareness rather than weakness?
   This question provokes my thoughts because existentialist thinkers treat suffering as meaningful. It made me reconsider negative emotions not as failures, but as indicators that a person is thinking deeply and living consciously.

4. What does it mean to live authentically in a world full of social pressure and expectations?
   This question forced me to reflect on my own life choices—how many are truly mine, and how many are shaped by fear of judgment, success standards, or social approval.

5. Is rebellion against meaninglessness an act of courage or simply another way to cope with life?
   This question emerged from Camus and Nietzsche. It made me think about whether rebellion and value-creation are genuine acts of strength or necessary responses to the silence of the universe.

Learning Outcomes from This Blog

Through this blog and the related videos, I gained several important learning outcomes:

• I developed a clear understanding of existentialism as a philosophy focused on individual freedom, choice, responsibility, and authenticity rather than pessimism.

• I learned that meaning is not discovered but created, and that human beings must actively participate in shaping their identity and values.

• I understood Albert Camus’s idea of the absurd and how accepting it honestly is different from escaping it through religion or blind hope.

• I learned to differentiate between existentialism and nihilism, realizing that existentialism responds to meaninglessness with action, responsibility, and courage.

• Most importantly, I learned to view confusion, despair, and anxiety as starting points for self-reflection, not as signs of failure.

Overall, this blog helped me see existentialism not just as a philosophical theory, but as a practical way of understanding life, freedom, and personal responsibility in the modern world.