⚠Nobody Cares | #38

By Armaan Athwal

Today's Overview:

• The speck perspective

• Embracing insignificance to take more risks

• Quote of the day

The Speck Perspective

I’ve been reading the book Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan (great read, by the way), and it's set in the WW2 era. While reading, I had this thought about how, throughout human history, there are constant events, whether good or bad.

This led me to think about the concept that if you zoom out on our individual lives, they become just a speck of existence. It’s a humbling thought, really. We get so caught up in our daily struggles, successes, and routines that we sometimes forget how small we are in the grand scheme of things.

There are two ways to look at this. One perspective is that everything we do is pointless because we are insignificant—just a "speck" in the history of this universe. This can feel overwhelming and lead to a sense of nihilism, where nothing seems to matter because our existence is so fleeting and tiny compared to the vastness of the cosmos.

On the other hand, because we are insignificant, we can take larger risks. If our time here is just a blip on the radar of the universe, why not live the ultimate life we can? Why not push boundaries, explore new territories, and take chances? This perspective can be incredibly liberating. It allows us to embrace uncertainty and step out of our comfort zones, knowing that our failures and successes are just part of our individual journeys within a much larger picture.

Yet, within this tiny speck of existence, we have the power to create ripples. Every decision, no matter how small, can lead to significant changes over time. It's like the butterfly effect—one small action today can have far-reaching consequences tomorrow. So, while we might feel insignificant when we look at the big picture, our actions still matter.

Embracing Insignificance

I think if we look at our life from the perspective that in the grand scheme of things, we are insignificant, we can release a little bit of pressure off our shoulders.

In this hope, we should not care about our failures because, realistically, nobody cares. These problems are not something to be embarrassed about. One thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of action isn't taken because of the judgment of others. But the truth is, people don’t care—or at least, they only care in the beginning.

Think about it: our society's attention span is incredibly short. Take news events, for example. A huge event takes place, and everybody’s attention is on it. Yet within days, people's focus shifts to the next topic. This is the same case for your preconceived notion that everyone is watching all your moves.

We often get paralyzed by the fear of judgment, thinking that everyone is scrutinizing our every action. But in reality, people are more concerned with their own lives and problems. They might notice your failure or mistake for a moment, but soon enough, they move on. This means we have more freedom to take risks, make mistakes, and learn without the weight of constant judgment.

Embracing this mindset can be incredibly liberating. It allows us to step out of our comfort zones and pursue what truly matters to us. When we stop worrying about what others think, we start living more authentically and making choices that align with our values and goals.

Quote of the Day

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” - Albert Einstein

Our perception of being separate from the universe is an illusion that traps us in self-centered desires and limited relationships.