[The] Humans are Fucked

It stings a bit when the thought is put so bluntly. The first reaction is almost always to strike at the thought as if it were necessarily and inherently wrong. To be the one that holds this position is usually synonymous with being considered a nihilist, contrarian, or simply mentally ill. The need to see the small, tenuous particle of hope in the big shit bag that is humanity is the default position. There is a pain so strong and encompassing that long held traditions built around this false hope have anesthetized the majority of humanity to even a cursory contemplation or hope of an honest evaluation.

Of course, the most basic counter opinions come not from the devoted and faithful optimists but from the border guards of realistic notions toward the "human condition". This is similar to the mass of atheists who struggle so hard to promote the need of religion simply because it has its benefits. It is a rationalization of that nebulous pain; it is the same need to feel worth and hope when none exists. The primary counter itself testifies to this insipidness: "If life is meaningless then do what you wish". However, they will almost without fail amend this hypothetical premise with a battery of quasi moral justifications for why it is better to live according to their described reality.

Even the existentialists so often follow their rhetoric with commandments. Conceited aphorisms blasted through tiny primer holes drilled by Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and even Dr. Maslow. The self is responsible, you are the self, I accurately perceive your self, and now, I expect you to act in accordance to my will. While this was not the intention, the weak-willing followers of many philosophers project their inner struggle with the pain onto a complex map of their own pathology.

System upon system is built while others are destroyed to etch a more comfortable pain killing model. Adversary is anything that wishes to reopen a wound or two. Followers of "the light" wear many masks and being unable to see that their pain stems from the same source are willing to die for their correctness of vision. The denier, however, is the emblem of this pain. Every group--and even those who seek truth are susceptible--can draw their focus on this and paint the him as scapegoat.

'Humans are fucked' need not be a prescription nor is it usually so. While it can be as much of an emotional outburst as denial, it at least speaks of a desire for truth. Its speaker seems to often express it with a rainbow of connotations rather than a simple assertion of fact. It encompasses as much humor as it does pain -- perhaps ever so intertwined this idea becomes. It also projects a bold front to those willing to find their own path -- perhaps even if this too is corrupted and disintegrates back down into the numbness seeking. It rejects but not simply for an ipso facto position of argument -- though this may be as important.

Be what you wish sayeth the existentialist. Rejoice in meaninglessness for its purpose is your own.

To this I say: Eat your own medicine.