How to find meaning in the 21st century
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- čas přidán 8. 06. 2024
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Part 1
05:05 - Part 2.1: Sickness
07:48 - Part 2.2: The Source
10:32 - Sponsor
11:41 - Part 2.3: Higher Needs
12:40 - Part 3: The Meaning of Life
In regards to the food and choosing to eat something that has been made with cheap materials and something that has been made with love, I think its important to remember capitalisms role in the economic status of people in the first place. I'm a student and I hv two jobs but my rent takes up most of my income thus i gotta buy cheap food and not the good stuff, even though I would prefer to. There is an element of choice for sure but for a lot of people, the majority of people, that choice is made for them or made difficult by the economic system we are in.
Bingo! Most people lack the income to purchase the more expensive, ethical and sustainable stuff and the time to research more sustainable, ethical prodicts.
This is exactly what I was thinking, well put!
Absolutely! This particular point if view is absolutely rooted in privilege. However, it doesn't negate it. This whole video is for the privileged, those of us who have choices, what will we choose, knowing that our choices impact others, what world do we want to live in?
This is exactly right. Having a choice in the matter of “changing the course of the train” (a pretty ambiguous metaphor) is a privilege that not everybody has. The whole point of critiquing capitalism is acknowledging the fact that poor people are just totally unable to influence the way we organize our society. Nathaniel, while certainly well intentioned, is not one of those people
@@NyreeAlana The thing is, consumer choices still don't matter. Capitalism is a structure, it's an economic system. Unethical products (be it because they cause pollution or bc of how the workers that produce it are treated) are the way they are not because the company that makes it is evil, but because of the incentives of capitalism. "Conscientious" consumption and consumption as politics is not seeing the forest for the trees. These things are a byproduct of capitalism. We should treat the illness itself, not its symptoms.
Nathaniel! Next time you're in Vienna, you should let us know - and stop by to say hello! What a beautiful film.
I agree with a lot of what you said in the video except the part where you say we choose the world we live in. It's a bit short sighted to believe that we can do that in a world where capitalists accumulate that much wealth which directly translates into power (like influencing politics). Poor people cannot really choose healthy food over unhealthy food because of prices. To make a fair and level ground, everybody would have to have the same starting point, which really isn't the case. Gini coefficient trending just in one direction. The rich get richer. Which leads workers to not be able to influence every decision they make on a daily basis.
100%! Actually, I'd say that we *do* choose the world we live in, but with collective action, not as consumers.
@Phil. I agree with the premise that some people have many more options than other people. But do you really think that some people simply have no options in this capitalist system of ours? Don’t we all have some measure of influence the circumstances of our lives, modest though this influence may be. And is the right and responsibility to exercise that influence not important in shaping our lives? We both shape and are shaped by circumstances. That be s what I believe in any case.
@@ThePedroppz We as a society choose the world we live in, not we as individuals.
I have to agree with Phil’s sentiment. The depth of this is much more complicated with where you live. But overall, I still think Nathanial hits all thoughtful points. This is all challenging and complex.
He's young...
editing on this one is immaculate. the graphics & animations are always solid, but the sound design and score here is really amazing! cinematography too, i appreciate the variety in setting
I met nathanial in Paris and asked for a photo. He was a really nice and humbled person and we had a cool conversation.
I agree with you on most of this. I've noticed how much less I consume when I live outside of the US because I don't feel as much pressure in certain areas of my life. I traveled through 18 countries for 3 years with 5 outfits and I didn't rent an apartment. It was the best and most freeing time in my life. The hustle and competition isn't good for us.
Love this! I have 7 outfits, but I just started what will likely be a year-long backpacking journey in Asia 😅
@@jordanchou That's awesome! Enjoy.
@@jordanchou how do you all afford it? working remotely?
@@joaodfbravo not yet! Just started a CZcams channel before I left, but I’ve been saving up for a few years and living at my parents’ house to save money 👍🏽 and then now I’m staying in Asia and staying in places for longer. If you book places for at least a week or at least a month, they’re way cheaper 👍🏽
There just must be a whole world of travel I am not educated on. I literally don’t understand how you can afford to travel across 18 countries for three years and never rent an apartment. How are you affording to stay in hotels or wherever you’re staying?
I'm not gonna lie, I had to laugh when I saw this video in my feed. It's just not what I associate with your channel but I'm honestly so glad to see you talk about and also impressed with how easily you fit it in with your channel's theme of "Search for meaning".
I love the way you easily explained one of Capitalism's greatest faults, the way it prioritizes income over people's needs and the gentle way you explained which will hopefully help some of the people who don't usually take well to this sort of critique of the system.
Really happy to see you go into this subject and I'll be looking forward to see you explore and explain more of the fault's of the system on the happiness of people if you choose to do so! Cheers, man! Keep up the good work!
I feel like this is your best video yet. The editing, the notes, the research. Just amazing, can't wait for the next video.
I love your angle and tone in this video. You don’t have a condescending bone in your body which is greatly appreciated. You also invite nuance into your points, even during a time where it’s very trendy to be on the fringe promoting black and white thinking. Thanks for this video!
Couldn’t agree more. He’s a thinker and I love it ❤
Totally agree. There's always a rush these days to form an opinion. IMO Nathaniel inspires thinking and curiosity more than anything.
Because Nathaniel doesn't agree with Capitalism, he's gifting his house and future earnings to his subscribers and living off UBI!
I challenge you to go back to Nathaniel’s old videos (pre-2020). This has always been how he’s carried himself, and it’s had me hooked forever. Really deserves his fame, he is one of the realest creators.
@@alexuslauver2438 I remember binging his videos when I started following him and was so blown away. I
I believe you are in the position to create art without detriment to your success. I think I speak for many of us when I say I’m not here for a niche, I’m here for Nathaniel.
The sponsored segment in the middle of this is nothing short of ironic and hilarious.
please elaborate
@@icekweebec512 capitalism isn't "when a video has sponsors"
We’re all pursuing money, even when we’re telling others that there’s more meaning than money.
Your videos are a work of art, Nathaniel. This was super insightful + beautifully explained.Thank you!
I can really see your growth and development of depth in character, thank you for allowing us to support you, your message needs to be heard:)
Nathaniel I reckon you'd really love the work of late anthropologist David Graeber. He writes exactly about this effect of how money reduces all value to a number which can be measured! I wrote my dissertation partly on it. That was such a perceptive part of this video.
Glad you mentioned Graeber. He was an Anarchist anthropologist and extremely anti-capitalist. It frustrated me and the beginning of this video that he said it’s too simple to say capitalism = bad. No, it really is that simple. Capitalism is inherently bad, and is intimately connected to racism, colonialism, extraction and planetary destruction. Green capitalism is a farce
This was work of art. Thank you. Also the audio is getting so much better!
Definitely one of your best videos in my opinion!
It resonated a lot with me (and I loved the Austrian setting where I actually got to live for a couple of years!) - your argument of contrasting the value of the measurable with the immeasurable is going to stick with me for sure!
The cinematography was also STUNNING. Keep it up, man!
Its a celebration when you upload Nathan. Your are like a big brother figure to me.
Thank you so much brother 😊
Love your storytelling, music and beautifull scenery in your art. I appreciate that you're talking about these kind of topics too cause they're strictly linked to the way we've been conditioned to live our lives.
"Consumption is the new religion." What a statement. You've just synthesized so many thoughts I have had with that short quote. Thank you Nathaniel. - Ross
Although malls are dying out due to online shopping, I think of the way they are/were architecturally designed with the high ceilings, glass, long corridors and a lot of lights. The way people make their pilgrimage there on Saturdays and Sundays...
Please explain to me the connection between consumerism and religion.
@@thelanguagecaviller3657 It's more like they're saying that instead of worshipping God, people worship/idolize the pursuit of buying new things. It's like a hedonic treadmill of buying and buying, but in reality you'll never feel truly satisfied - there's always something bigger and better to buy and then show off.
@@starsparkle4938I remember someone I used to know had a pin badge which said, „I want, I want, I want“, on it. I think this sums it up.
Are you related to the zen motorcycle guy
This is BY FAR the most interesting video on your channel. Terrific job! ❤
I don’t know how you do it, but everything you create just keeps better and better, it’s honestly unbelievable. Congrats on another fantastic piece!
The way your personality is growing is amazing. Inspiring indeed!!
The filming and framing on this video is particularly top notch Nathaniel! Love your style
It's amazing how you put it into words. It's everything that has been on my mind lately, but well formulated. I also want to create art, and I believe the problem is that most are simply doing jobs because it’s their job, and not because it’s their passion. Imagine a world where people were creating authentically and gave their work their absolute best every time: that’s art.
Ok, edit: I don’t mean that everyone should do art in the typical sense. But I do mean that all people could apply more autenthisaty to the work they do, and that without any real extra effort, would change the world for the better. A smile from a waiter that is more than usual happy to serve you. Things like that. The difference between art and work is that with art you give it your all every time, while when it is simply your job, you’ll always undermine your abilities cause you’re always asked to do more, so you hold back.
See! That's how capitalist and capitalism succeeds. If we all did what we loved, the gods of capitalism and the hidden powers would be powerless and wouldn't be able to control us. Sadly, I see this aspect in the Christian 501c churches. Consumerism and supply and demand instead of soul winning but that's another topic.
...unclug toilets ,clean murder scenes ...whom would choose that ?...
....you'd like to do art....don't we all,but there comes a point when other people sayihg,'oh that's lovely,your art is lovely" becomes meaningless unless they are prepared to buy into it,ie buy it. Words are cheap. It's when you reply to their praise,"would you like it,it's only €5" and they start to waffle and step backwards,that's when you realize the aptness of the phrase "men's empty praise". It's a universal law. It applies to CZcams. If no one likes and subscribes after a few months you'd realize you were engaging in a solitary activity that might be pleasuresble but ultimately meaningless. We all need,as Will Self wrote,the validation of social recognition for out efforts and the most trustworthy form of validation is if people will exchange "money" for it.
Life would be simpler and cheaper if we didn't have basic biological needs like the need to eat food,and to not get in cold in the weather or more complex psychological needs,but we do and they now know with the finesse of experienced torturers how to manipulate those needs in us to maximum profit. No one wants to drive buses,or clean stores,or stuff facts into recalcitrant kids (our version of "education") but that's what gets you the "money" you presently need to pay for having those "needs" covered.
The thing is, that's impossible, that's just lying to yourself if you believe that at one point or another you could live in a future like that, because of A LOT of factors, a few of them would be, for example: that all people are not the same, people don't take risks the same way, some people don't have the same luck that others do, there is work that NEEDS TO BE DONE and not all people want to do it (so, some people are going to have to do it even if they don't want to, and not just under capitalism, pick any system you want and it'll be the same), there are jobs that people believe is going to be their dream job and when they get to the point of REALLY experiencing it they end up not liking it at all, etc. etc. etc. A world where everyone is happy and works in jobs they absolutely love and give their all everyday is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE, not in this world, not with humans.
Nathaniel, one of your best videos: the pacing, the tone, the depth of ideas shared with humility, and the artfulness of its composition. I really see you maturing in this one.
I also like the point about focusing on what we can measure, and how that goes against creative exploration.
My goodness that editing is perfection! I love enjoying your creative process and ending my day with a philosophical thought and mulling… wonderful, and thoughtfully done.
Love your point on shared responsibility!!! this is why I really like the movie Nightcrawler, because obviously the main character and the news station are doing terrible things, but they're doing it for ratings - so it really emphasizes the shared responsibility, and questions what we as individuals desire to consume
Not only for ratings, but the protagonist was poor and this kind of feels like his only chance of attaining a better life. Meanwhile, the lady at the news station is shown to be on a tight rope when it comes to her own job. They aren't even doing the immoral behavior so that they become extraordinarily wealthy, it's so they can secure their livelihood.
Those shots in part 2 of you sitting in the cafe whilst talking, the world moving behind you. Love love LOVEEE!
Dude this was brilliant. This is clearly your gift. Do more of this.
Beautiful production - graphics, sound design, story, video, all of it 👏
Absolutely love your channel! You are so inspiring, well spoken and thought provoking... can't wait for more of your content!! It's so easy to get sucked into the "rules" of life and how to be successful... and videos like this help remind me that we can make the difference in how we approach this life of ours.
Brilliant. Thought provoking. Thank you!
Love this video! It's almost like a crescendo on your journey so far. What I mean to unpack there is that you had to experience all that to get to this great overarching understanding. Love it! It helps us all reaffirm and understand how we live and behave. Awesome work!
I love that you filmed in the coffee house, such an aesthetic and artistic idea
I’m glad you took your time to put this out. This was worth the wait
Nathaniel, what about the climate? Really surprised the climate issue isn't mentioned in a video about capitalism flaws...
What a beautiful video. The scenes shot in the busy coffee shop were masterful.
I'm so grateful to take a peep of what you have been thinking and your perspectives on the world. And the video is in a really sponteous atmosphere ---train, cafe.. Fascinating work of art Nathaniel!
It’s so funny how I only watch your channel every few months, but when I do I definitely binge lol
Keep up the amazing work!!! Love it 🙌🏽
You did an amazing job at matching "le fond" and "la forme", both are high-level! I'm impressed at the level of production your videos are at today!
Nathaniel Drew I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you :)
Thank you, Nathaniel. I love the production of your videos as well as your efforts to educate people, not only entertain them 🙏 Maybe somebody will even take Adam Smith's book as his/hers next read 🙂
Thank you!! You make me a better person and grow to think and realize beyond myself.
Splendid work Nathaniel everything you produce is a masterpiece
Hi from New Zealand Nathan! We are enjoying seeing all that life is bringing to you and your parents and so happy to see you doing well in Paris. Sorry we missed you when we were there last year. We still love it so much and I'm sure will return again. Wishing you much continued success and joy in all you do.
I have been watching your channel for a long time and I am studying economics, so I’m glad to see you dive into it! Satisfaction is the actual metric used in economics and is more important than money. Your thoughts on the simplification of success to numbers is well said! I can’t wait to see other videos about this and how your thoughts evolve through time! Do some reading about the difference between classical and Keynesian Economics, because this is crucial in the concept of consumption.
Great film!
Truly one of you’re most interesting videos - like many have already told in the comments; you pefectly framed some thoughts I’ve been thinking about a lot lately 🏆
The way that you articulate your way of thinking is actually the voice of many. I myself am someone that appreciates your creations and would like to be a part of it, not only by clicking a button. Thank you! btw you would be a great leader ;)
Nothing better than a new Nathaniel Drew Vid. ♥️♥️♥️
Another master piece of work. Thanks for sharing.
You're a phenomenal film-maker, my man! Keep it up!
This video brings together so many deep-rooted insights that has given me new perspectives to look into. Your content Is the best example of the benefits of consumerism. You open peoples eyes to a collection of your thoughts In a cinematic and well documented story. So glad I found this channel 👏
Absolutely beautiful video. I’ve been playing around with very similar thoughts and ideologies so I’m glad I ran into this video. Kinda a strange irony how this one didn’t get as much views. I hope it picks up soon. Keep up the great content!
This ‘film’ was beautiful to watch and again as always full of meaning… Thanks Nathaniel!
It's super important to question this system and consider that there is a better way. We don't have to accept it. But only collective action will help us move away from it and hopefully achieve something else, something better for all, instead of just for a very few...
Max Weber and Karl Marx on the 19th century was already discussing the effects of calculations-oriented thinking and how this affected our lives. The way you describe "The Tyranny of Numbers" fits a lot with their description!
"The bourgeoisie has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation to a mere money relation." - The Communist Manifesto
This video really hits. Great work.
4:17 This quote really spote to me because I had a conversation with a friend about greads and the perception that differen students have on grades.
How some people are not satisfied with a passing grade (5,5/10) and some are happy with this because they 'merely' passed. (This is the Dutch school grading system).
I don't want to relate my self-worth to the grades I get at uni but often times it feels like I'm forced to do so because of the measurabilty on how good my work is in the perception of an examiner.
Really enjoy how this video has been produced. The quality of it. Images. Especially the part in cafe.
Excellent message and execution as always, bravo 👏🏻
Thank you for this beautiful piece
Great work on this video mate!
you are quickly becoming one of the gran masters of this youtube rennaciance keep up the great content
Fantastic. Great content, great presentation. Very engaging. I particularly liked choosing on purpose to shoot in a noisy café to get the ambience and break up the aural monotony.
As a statistician in big tech, I can say you make very good points. I appreciate the provocative video and your rationality on such a topic, but I have some points to make. I hope you will read this, Nathaniel :)
1) Measurements. it did pain me to hear you criticize the importance held on measurements. I would agree, an individual’s personal worth should not be determined by numbers like GDP, income, or age. However, your worth can be determined by several quantitative measures! You can measure happiness (biometrics) and other indicators of fulfillment using APA diagnostic questionnaires, which are based on numbers. The objectivity and reliability of such measures should be appreciated and valued as means to monitor improvement. The number increase shouldn’t be the goal but it’s an accurate way to track how happy or fulfilled you are and whether you are actually improving your life or you are exhibiting confirmation bias. Feeling improvement is one thing, but it won’t last. Objective improvement is necessary first to feel it for a long time. Whether we like it or not, the reason we are being manipulated by algorithms is because our habits and feelings are quantifiable. Let’s leverage that about ourselves to push further.
2) Specialization. You mention we are often pressured to do one thing rather than what Smith suggests, being a well-rounded individual. My father, a self-employed locksmith, has said the same about importance of being well-rounded, but from a wealth perspective. He enjoys things outside his job even though he can work 24:7 because of emergencies. Despite demanding work, he still enjoys his life- but the work helps him pay for what he needs for his hobbies, and that money helps pay for all the complex processes and labor that goes into making the products he purchases. I digress, the claim you mentioned was the importance of specialization. This may be true for a large portion of people, but I don’t think wealth is built on specialization. A huge part of my job is that I am able to quickly learn any domain I work in. While I am good with analysis and numbers, the demand for those skills alone is sparse, and often ineffective for companies to hire for. Companies need well-rounded people. I have been told by several senior engineers in my company that my kind of well-rounded knowledge is the future and demand will continue to rise.
I just want to say, an empirical approach to our personal issues can be super powerful. Seriously, if we learn to use our own data, we can see a great amount of happiness and improvement. If casinos and social media companies can rig their games and rig our feelings based on numbers to keep us hooked and pulling slot machines, we can take that power back for ourselves individually and use that power as a means to self-improvement.
Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.
I really like the video concept and how you brought it to life. You really have a talent to break down a complex topic. It feels like listening to a lecture at uni.
PHENOMENAL VIDEO Nathaniel!🙌🏻👏🏻I deeply appreciate your understanding, work and what you convey in this video🌄
Brilliant video, mate! Fantastic content, delivery and an incredible edit 🙏
amazing work, thank you!
wow Nathaniel, totally appreciate your efforts to make this video.
Awesome work as always
killed it as always. such a thought provoking video.
I love how unbiased this is. You talk about not only the negatives but also the positive aspects that have personally impacted your life. Very interesting thank you ❤
Thank you! I find your ideas thoughtful and valuable. Much appreciation!
Damn. Your work just keeps getting better and better. Thank you for this thoughtful film.
Loved this video! And the coffeehouse segment made me feel we are friends chatting, about deep stuff, over a cup of coffee.
The cake also looked amazing.
@@mindiwilhelm4322 Yes!
holy cow man. You’re videos are so good
This is one of your best produced videos, yet! Keep up the dope edits. I've been thinking about this lately - we were not put on this earth to make money.
Great shots, great thoughts. Enjoyed this a lot
thank you Nathan for your dedication to having the real discussion, to really go there and not only provide value but actually change peoples lives and the world by causing realisations and changes in perspective. LOVE listening to you and reflecting. A way to pass some time without wasting time. 💚✌️
I’m appalled that in that cafe at 6:30 Nathaniel has such nice audio quality from a Lav mic. Wonder what kind of audio filters/compressors were used post recording.
I think many of us since we were kids, and learning how the world works, had a gut feeling that something is very wrong. Gathering more and more stuff but then you see other people with nothing. Wanting to share but others telling you not to. Wanting to talk to people but others telling you talk to this person but not that person. Yes, something feels very wrong.
I remember when you started out and seem to recall you were quite anti the idea of sponsorship at the time. No judgement; I think with the channel blowing up, a change in life and a whole lot more subscribers, it was inevitable, and you of course recognise that. Having a degree of economic freedom brings with it a lot of possibilities. Most people are relatively content if they simply have a roof over their heads and food on their tables, the system we live in puts many of us into a survivalist mode of being where we can't easily shift our thoughts away towards beauty and creation. A life of material comforts is often at the price of somebody else's misery (e.g. sweatshop labour etc), the human condition and our way of living is a tough one and there's no obvious solutions, whatever the system a whole lot of people are needed to do the gruntwork for us all to get by.
Nathaniel, please make a video about how you script/research your videos because it’s mind blowing how know so much about the topics you explore but more importantly how do you manage to tell a story so impressively? Thanks
Thank you for making this video!
this is great, thanks for sharing Nathaniel
As always, lovely filmmaking and graphics.
This resonates a lot with me. I’ve been in corporate America the past five years and was utterly miserable. I quickly found out I was an artist within and decided to pursue my passion of food. I’m 25 and I hope I can become a Chef. Thanks for making these videos Nathan.
this is beautifully produced thank you
Nice piece of work, Nathaniel, Lucas and team :D
I have always felt this video would come to fruition one day. Glad to finally watch it
This video really snowballed a train of thought which allowed me to completely rethink how I view my own success and progress, reflecting on higher needs and deeper why. Why did I measure the success of my creative projects by the amount of views and recognition, when my real reason for doing it in the first place had much less to do with that. I ended up reshaping my definition of success to more align with my deeper why's, leaving me more motivated and fulfilled regardless of the measurable results. I ended up creating a CZcams piece on this and wanted to personally thank you for your inspiring this shift of perspective. ❤
As always really thoughtful and honest video. Very inspiring as well. I hope you enjoyed Vienna and ofcourse... best wishes for your birthday 🎂 🥳
I give you so much credit to even _approach_ this topic! Learned so much from this video and it was beautifully presented. Thanks for always putting so much energy into your work.
Any video you make, I will always tune in. I think I speak for most. But we are here for you Nathaniel. Hopefully I can move to Estonia and leave my country like you..
like all your other videos this is so good and hits the truth. You have put into words what I think daily.
I've been with your channel for a long time and I love that you made a video discussing capitalism. I'm disappointed to hear that you talked about the pros and cons of capitalism without discussing possibly the most important facet which is third-world poor countries that take the full force of capitalism in horrible poverty, starvation, and just general conditions when there is so much surplus in this world.
Fantastically artistically explained, kind of putting in words everything what I felt already in the past and remembering now again, what truly matters in life. I must say that I admire your way of expressing concepts and ideas!
Love your videos and how you present your ideas. Had high hopes for this one, it started great but I think it needed a stronger end imho. Just leaving this as feadback.
Absolutely incredible as always!! Thank you for your messages that are conveyed so beautifully 👏🏻