The optimal subjectivity for the "learning to live with it" phase of the pandemic is not the rabid anti-masker or conspiracy theorist, but the compliant "moderate" who goes along to get along.
The greatest harm is not the bad actions of a few. It is the complacency of many.
The greatest harm is not the bad actions of a few. It is the complacency of many.
Both of these subjectivities can be understood as forms of nihilism, and indeed nihilism has been the major social force of the pandemic.
It arises as taken-for-granted ways of understanding the world break down and uncertainty and meaningless take hold.
It arises as taken-for-granted ways of understanding the world break down and uncertainty and meaningless take hold.
The active nihilist, seeing a hopeless situation they have little ability to control, lashes out. They oppose masks, vaccines, and anyone or anything attempting to do something about the virus.
In a bad situation, the active nihilist is petulant and makes things even worse.
In a bad situation, the active nihilist is petulant and makes things even worse.
The passive nihilist, seeing a hopeless situation, turns inward and focuses on the self. It is a form of hedonism, seeking comforts and desires, even if doing perpetuates the pandemic. They do not want to make waves or stand out, and so unmask when they see others unmask.
Passive nihilism is by far the largest trend of thought and action in the current phase of the pandemic.
In a bad situation, it is resignation to helplessness, relying on flimsy justifications of needing to "live my life" so that mass infection and reinfection are palatable.
In a bad situation, it is resignation to helplessness, relying on flimsy justifications of needing to "live my life" so that mass infection and reinfection are palatable.
Passive nihilism is most functional for the "return to normal." The passive nihilist will follow the leader, buy the magical thinking, and repeat promoted slogans.
The active nihilist, on the other hand, continues to lash out and be disagreeable, even if their views hold sway.
The active nihilist, on the other hand, continues to lash out and be disagreeable, even if their views hold sway.
People are not exactly at fault for falling prey to nihilism in such a difficult situation as a pandemic. Long before the pandemic, the groundwork was already laid by the social, political, and economic systems that condition many aspects of everyday life.
Given the massive disruption to so many things people take for granted in how they live their lives, passive nihilism actually has a lot going for it, at least on an individual level.
But as a widespread and mainstreamed attitude, it is doing enormous harm.
But as a widespread and mainstreamed attitude, it is doing enormous harm.
Resignation and complacency are never going to get us out of a situation that requires fortitude and determination.
What is most needed is a principled ethical approach - an ethics of collective care - that finds meaning in the responsibility to look after each other.
What is most needed is a principled ethical approach - an ethics of collective care - that finds meaning in the responsibility to look after each other.
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