Nietzsche: Nihilism, the Death of God, the Terror of Idealism and Qanon | with Ken Gemes

It was my distinct honour to be able to sit down with Prof Ken Gemes at his abode for a dialogue on the interweaving manias that is modernity, of which there is perhaps no sharper a diagnostician than Nietzsche. Nietzsche tried, perhaps unsuccessfully thus far, to get his readers, posthumously born as we are, to shed ourselves from Christianity, which though it gave us depth is no longer alive. Thus a complete transvaluation of values is necessary — or else we end up with QAnon and other bad mythologies such as the Avengers films.

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Copyright: Johannes Achill Niederhauser

Finally! I was waiting for this one. Can’t wait to watch it, maybe already tomorrow. Thank you for your great work Johannes 🌷

[xavierharrison]

Thanks Johannes. Lovely to hear this conversation. Particularly I enjoyed the moments of critical exchange.

[leos]

Wonderful how clearly Prof. Gemes explains Nietzschean ideas in a simple language. Finally i further understand the concept of sublimation that Schmitt adapts frequently, but i assume he draws more from Freud than Nietzsche.
I don't agree with Prof. Gemes hypothesis that liberal democratic societies most optimally produce great geniuses. The ascesis and demonic urge signalize a great pain felt by the genius, the high human. The experience of that inner pain and turmoil is suppressed by our hedonistic, hyperinformational and deflective time. Culture seemingly has degenerated. Where are the great artistic, musical figures? The great authors and poets? The 'Geniuses' that are being produced today are merely ouwardly oriented and excelling superficial freaks, that carry out their job or extroverted hobby to cause spectacular sensations for the masses or compensate their inner nihilism. They moreover fulfil a systemic stabilizing function and are tolerated and encouraged for that.

[StephenPhantom]

Just to flesh out Nietzsche's idea of the Ubermensch ( UM ) some see it as Abraxas ( the Gnostic god of non-duality ) Nietzsche says that God is Dead, but doesn't say he doesn't believe in god, i just noticed some people posting about that, could the UM be a god like that or does Nietzsche not want to be tied down to that kind of solid idea? maybe a syncretic mix of Nihilist and ( Whatever the opposite of Nihilism is ) lets say Faith in Myth ...

[andrewfisherman]

What about this notion (Nietzschean) that European society (and its people) disappear, leaving behind just 30 books that contain the totality of what used to be the European mindset or culture? THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW!

[DrTimThemi]

Too harsh on Freud at the start, like so many who turn to logicism as an escapist fantasy from the real of nature, as Nietzsche points out in his later works (TI, III:3, III: 5, VII:1, BGE, 3, WP, 579-80). Interesting to hear about the anti-intellectual culture clash growing up here in Australia though 🦘

[yazanasad]

Genius doesnt mean you're right. Just unbelievably creative (frequently talented in their domain). Being creative is more than being correct. (Correct as mundane)

Aiming at the truth is a virtue. Better if interesting and true

19th century - trying to find monistic explanations (against dualistic mins body explanation). Will to power attempt for this but professor doesn't like it.

Neitzche - Christianity gave existential meaning against nihilism. Christianity weak people fantasise future world. Revenge against this world. Affirm this world. Christianity also no longer works. All great things bring about their own end. Christianity's will to truth killed god. No longer give us meaning. Next 200 years, lose god then everything permitted even no compassion over others

[ElliottHall]

52:45 Video game creators will be the greatest artists of the 21st century

[sudabdjadjgasdajdk]

Christianity is dead because the way you are approaching and thinking about Christianity is wrong.

[hiltonchapman]

This interview proves that (professional) INTELLIGENCE does NOT equate to WISDOM.
Well, that's alright I suppose. He does have a life left to live... and as the saying goes: _dum spiro, spero_
Maybe he'll WISEN up tomorrow!

HC-JAIPUR (10/Nov/2024)

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