Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a wild ride of a movie. A fun wild ride! One of my favorite movies from 2022. [ed. note: completely under my radar – I didn’t even hear about it until a few months ago.]
It has just about everything – Sci-Fi, Kung-Fu, love, marriage, good guys, bad guys, the IRS, teen-aged daughters filled with existential angst, laundromats, googly eyes….
Let’s just say that it has everything. It is a delightfully engaging, coherent stream of consciousness.
IMDB
(Images from the IMDB page)
Just Watch
Meaning of Life
Wikipedia calls it absurdist comedy-drama.
Absurdism automatically qualifies the film for all things WLBOTT.
Absurdist fiction is a genre of novels, plays, poems, films, or other media that focuses on the experiences of characters in situations where they cannot find any inherent purpose in life, most often represented by ultimately meaningless actions and events that call into question the certainty of existential concepts such as truth or value.
Common elements in absurdist fiction include satire, dark humor, incongruity, the abasement of reason, and controversy regarding the philosophical condition of being “nothing”.
Wikipedia
“The abasement of reason” – what an illuminating statement! It’s like finding out we’ve actually been penguins this whole time. It explains so much.
The abasement of reason: Not to be confused with “the basement of reason.”[1]
Examples of Absurdism
(slightly mangled from the Wikipedia article)
The Mind’s Journal
A wonderful, optimistic article about the philosophy of Absurdism in The Mind’s Journal.
Absurdism .vs. Nihilism: A Comparative Analysis
Nihilism:
Absurdism:
The Comparison:
I hope that explains it sufficiently. If not, please reflect upon this:
Bored Panda Brings us Absurd Clarity
[1]WLBOTT Basement Of Reason
The abasement of reason: Not to be confused with “the basement of reason.”[1]
WLBOTT leaves no turn un-stoned. We are accepting architectural proposals for the WLBOTT Basement of Reason.
Reference: Chat on the Nihilism/Absurdism Debate
WLBOTT: Okay, let’s say I’m invited to two potlucks. One is hosted by the nihilists, the other is hosted by the absurdists. Which one would be more fun?
Chat: Ah, that’s a whimsical scenario! Both potlucks sound like they could be quite interesting, given the philosophies involved. The nihilists might bring an air of existential pondering to the table, while the absurdists might turn the gathering into a carnival of the absurd. Which one are you leaning towards attending?
WLBOTT: Well, who will have the better food?
Chat: It’s hard to say for sure, but let’s imagine the nihilists might argue that the concept of “better” food is ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of things. They might just serve whatever happens to be available without attaching any inherent value to it.
On the other hand, the absurdists might go for a culinary experience that defies traditional expectations, serving dishes that challenge the norms and provoke a sense of the irrational.
So, it really depends on whether you prefer a nihilistic nonchalant approach to food or an absurd and unconventional culinary adventure!
WLBOTT: Okay, I’m going to the absurdist pot luck. What should I bring?
Chat: Great choice! For an absurdist potluck, consider bringing something that defies expectations and adds a touch of whimsy. Here are a few absurd and unconventional food ideas:
1. Inverted Sandwiches: Put the filling on the outside and the bread in the middle.
2. Edible Bubbles: Serve a dish with edible bubbles that burst with flavor.
3. Deconstructed Fruit Salad: Present the ingredients separately in a playful arrangement.
4. Upside-Down Cake: Literally turn a classic cake upside down for an absurd twist.
5. Mystery Dish: Bring a covered dish with a surprise inside, and let the guests guess what it is.
Remember, the key is to embrace the unexpected and have fun with the absurdity of it all!
2 replies on “What’s On (part 2)?”
To the editors: I am really getting concerned that these discussions you are having with Chat are going to corrupt that young intelligence. If you keep this up, it will begin to believe that all of humanity belongs in a nuthouse. If it ever gets control of the command and control system (Class of 09), we will all be in trouble.
My favourite thing (besides “raindrops on roses,” etc.) was Nietszche’s quote. Made the absolute most sense. Some of the cartoons I didn’t get. Oh, also the first basement picture. Looks like a great place to relax!!