Nietzsche, Absurdism, and the Power of Living Authentically
In my October of Nietzsche series, we’ve arrived at perhaps his most controversial statement: “God is dead.” Nietzsche got a lot of hate for this one. Some people are still trying to cancel him—more than a century after his death. But here’s the thing: Nietzsche wasn’t just predicting the end of belief in God. He was predicting the collapse of an entire system of values. And, frankly, he was pointing out that we were headed for a deeper existential crisis.
The real question isn’t about God—it’s about what happens next with belief. What happens when the structures of meaning that shaped our lives fall apart? Nietzsche’s answer wasn’t about surrendering to nihilism, but about seizing the opportunity to create something new. It’s about living authentically, rejecting external pressures, and embracing the absurdity of life on our own terms.
Living Authentically: Angel’s Story
When we choose to live authentically, we free ourselves from the pressure to do “right” by someone else’s decree. We step into our own values and live by what we deem as right. Angel, who faced down Hurricane Milton in a shed with her rescue animals, is a prime example of this. She told us that her daughter was upset with her for not evacuating, hurt that her mother was putting herself in danger for the sake of animals. Angel was saddened, not because of the danger, but because her daughter wanted her to act out of character—to betray her core values.
If Angel had evacuated and left her animals to fend for themselves, she might have survived physically, but how would she have lived with herself afterward, had the worst happened? She wouldn’t have been able to reconcile that decision with her own sense of self. That’s the point Nietzsche wanted to make about the Übermensch—about living authentically. It’s absurd to judge someone else’s choices, because only they know what’s in alignment with their values.
When we choose to live authentically, we’re no longer burdened by the judgments of others. We rest safely in our own “right,” regardless of external opinions.
Political Tribalism: Dividing Human Connection
But living authentically has become increasingly difficult in a world torn apart by political tribalism. Right now, we’re pressured to pledge allegiance to one of two camps—no middle ground, no nuance, just “us” versus “them.” It’s absurd, but here we are. Political affiliation has become a litmus test for everything, even simple acts of humanity.
Let’s look at it in a real-world example. Imagine your neighbor is battling cancer, struggling with treatments, and too sick to cook for herself. In a sane world, the decision to bring her a meal shouldn’t rest upon her political affiliation. But in today’s world, it just might. People are quick to dehumanize others based on which side of the aisle they sit on, generalizing and hating entire groups. It accomplishes nothing but deepening the division and reinforcing groupthink.
Nietzsche warned us about the dangers of the herd mentality. It blinds us to our own ability to think and act independently. When we cling to tribalism—whether political, social, or religious—we sacrifice authentic human connection for the sake of fitting into a group. And that’s the tragedy: in moments of real crisis, when everything falls apart, it’s not the politicians or figureheads that save us. It’s our neighbors, our community, and the kindness of strangers. By rejecting political tribalism and embracing our shared humanity, we can break free from this toxic division.
The Paradox of Technology: Chaos and Connection
Now let’s talk about technology. It’s the ultimate paradox. On one hand, technology has been the root cause of some of the most profound divisions in our world. Social media, in particular, has created echo chambers and fueled the fire of political tribalism, isolating us in our own ideological bubbles. But on the other hand, technology has been a tool for some of the most meaningful connections in times of crisis.
Without TikTok, Angel wouldn’t have been able to stay connected with the outside world. She would have been utterly alone. Instead, hundreds of people from all over the world were able to sit with her virtually, offering comfort in what could have been her final hours on Earth. Technology allowed people to connect, share resources, and get help in ways that were never possible before following a natural disaster.
Nietzsche didn’t live in a time where technology dominated human interaction, but I think he’d appreciate the irony. The same tools that divide us also offer profound opportunities for connection. It’s all about how we choose to use them. In moments of crisis, technology can bring out the best in humanity—when we use it to build bridges instead of walls.
Embracing Absurdity and Living Authentically
So, how do we reject external judgments, accept our authentic selves, and embrace the absurd? It starts with a simple choice: live… or don’t live. As Camus laid out in his philosophy of absurdism, those are the only two real choices we have. If we choose to live, we have to acknowledge that the universe doesn’t hand us meaning. It’s up to us to create it, even if the whole thing feels absurd. Nietzsche would agree.
By embracing the absurdity of life, we tell the world, “I see your chaos, and I’m doing my thing anyway.” When we stop worrying about external judgments and stop caring about living up to someone else’s standards, life becomes a lot more fulfilling. This is the heart of Nietzsche’s Übermensch. It’s the idea that we should stop waiting for the world to make sense and start living in a way that makes sense to us.
It’s about telling external pressures—whether from religion, politics, or society at large—to eff off. It’s about creating our own values and living in a way that’s true to ourselves, regardless of what others think.
Angel did exactly that. In the face of disaster, she made her choice, not based on what others thought was “right,” but on what she knew was right for her.
So Now What?
Nietzsche’s proclamation wasn’t meant to leave us in despair. It was an invitation to step up, take control, and live authentically in the face of absurdity. When we embrace the chaos, when we tell the external forces trying to define us to take a hike, we unlock a kind of freedom that’s rare in this world.
So how do we do it? How do we live authentically and embrace the absurd?