Existentialism: Are We Missing The Point?

Existentialism: Why It Still Matters

Existentialism is well known as a philosophy of freedom. But does it lean so hard into freedom that it misses out on larger social and political issues? Let's find out in this video on Existentialism: Why It Changed.

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Written by Michael Burns
Hosted by Michael Burns
Directed by Michael Luxemburg
Edited by Brian M Kim
Produced by Olivia Redden

Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound

#existentialism #philosophy #wisecrack

© 2023 Wisecrack / Omnia Media, Inc. / Enthusiast Gaming

[lephtovermeet]

Debating whether or not Existentialism is even relevant is the ultimate existential expression.

[KingAwesomeOutputs]

I like it when Michael tells us to commit crimes

[UrbaneOracle]

While the existing power structures often feel overwhelmingly powerful and unchangeable, nihilism and existentialism have a key blessing to share: these systems were built by humans and can, therefore, be unbuilt by them.

Fate, luck, astrology, and divine watchmakers didn't make systemic racism, housing inequity, or wealth disparities. Our ancestors left us with that bag. If we organize ourselves with the intention to unpack it and make it better, we can.

[Adalric]

Hi Michael. Your comments made me realize something. I think we, as fans of the channel, would be really interested in how YOU changed your mind over the years. We watch this channel for its content, but we trust it because we trust you. If I could watch 10 or 20 minutes about where you started, how you evolved, which views you had that changed, where you realized you were young dumb and ... I would really be enthrawled. Maybe post it on another channel, but to actually better understand the mind (as well as your team's) that's feeding offering me all these great ideas, I'd be even more captivated than I already am. Thanks for the great work. Good luck in the future.

[MelodicQuest]

I'm impressed with your restraint, Wisecrack. A whole video on existentialism and not a single Rick and Morty reference.

[kevinmerchant]

I am close to finishing Ethics of Ambiguity and I feel like de Beauvoir does an excellent job of grounding Sartre's Existentialism and giving the philosophy a solid ethical framework. As mentioned in this video, she brings social and political dimensions that feel so real even (especially?) now. It's also not as dense as other existential works that draw heavily from the phenomenology tradition, making it a must-read!

[zacnance]

What are we doing? Brings to mind Daniel Johnston’s line “we know what we’re doing, we’re marching to hell.” There’s hope in that realization, I suppose.

[andyschwartz]

Simone de Beauvoir says she is living in a material world and she is a material girl

[bigmike]

I would love to hear more about Camus and absurdism. I struggle to imagine Sisyphus happy and would like to know how one embraces and simultaneously revolts against absurdity?

[A_M_Bobb]

I'd love to see you break down James Baldwin and W. E. B. Du Bois concept of "double consciousness".

[qwertyuiopaaaaaaa]

This is one of your best videos. So great to see more context and show how philosophers have amended their thinking over time.

Chef’s kiss.

[razeal]

I love deep dives like this. breaks it down so I can incorporate it into my own thoughts.

[juliacoves]

Good luck and congratulations with the baby Michael! I’m sad I missed the last stream yesterday ❤

[emmittforbush]

I would get the "Wisecrack: What are we doing here?" shirt 🤷‍♂️

[Retrofalcon]

Happy to see Fanon get some attention in the conversation of existentialism!

[cumfartchuglord]

I am unwritten
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Oh, oh, oh
I break tradition
Sometimes my tries are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes
But I can't live that way
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
Oh, yeah, yeah

[makhalid]

So nobody's gon talk about how Micheal's publisher isn't giving his due share

[jamesbaldwin]

Thank you for making this video! Anyone watching likely has access to online versions of all of these fantastic philosophers. I recently finished Black Skin, White Masks. As far as personal actions, getting organized in a minority rights/libreration movement, mutual aid network or socialist org is the most effecting thing a person can do.

[daemoneko]

I hope you get your publishing money you are owed
But I would hate to be the intern working at ROman and Littlefield Internation Publishing on monday, receiving 99 new emails with the subject 'WHERE IS BURNS' MONEY"

[alexwixom]

As much as I like philosophy, it's really easy to get depressed and miss the better meaning.