The Existential List: What to read while facing catastrophe
It's not everyday, thank goodness, that we experience such a pervasive, worldwide existential threat like we are facing now with COVID-19, but that is our reality today. So a lot of us are at home trying to find things to do that will distract us from the economic and respiratory doom that is impending. Now in general I recommend people try and avoid constantly checking Corona updates so that we don't bog our brains down with any more anxiety than is needed. But there is still some wisdom, I believe, in staring our deepest existential fears in the eye.
Death ends a life but the idea of death can make us feel more alive than ever. We learn to cherish every breath, every relationship, and many of the things that we take for granted.
Some may find it morbid that I am providing you a reading, watching, listening list that is full of references to death but I am confident that by consuming this material you will be able to use this crisis to tap into a well of meaning that perhaps you didn't know was there. None of these recommendations come from strictly religious sources but you may notice a religious undertone. This is because one can't speak of existence and purpose without tapping into universal feelings that are 'spiritual' for lack of a better term. But whether religious or none this list has something for you.
Here are some articles, videos, podcasts and books that can get your started on your existential journey. This is not an extensive list as I kept it to only materials I have recently consumed myself. Maybe there are some notable exclusions that you would add. I'd welcome your suggestions.
Articles
5 Things Death Can Teach Us About Living Life to the Fullest
Gentle Advice for When Your Loved One Receives a Terminal Diagnosis
Videos
What Really Matters at the End of Life
Talk About Death While You’re Still Healthy
The Lies Our Culture Tells Us About What Matters
Joe Rogan & Joseph Ledoux on Existential Anxiety
Joan’s Death from ‘Derek’
The Perfect Ending from ‘Derek’
Books (F for fiction)
When Nietzche Wept - Irv Yalom (F)
The Death of Ivan Illyich - Leo Tolstoy (F)
Staring into the Sun - Irv Yalom
The Second Mountain - David Brooks
The Alchemist - Paulo Coehlo (F)
Man’s Search for Meaning - Victor Frankl
Homo Deus - Yuval Noah Harari
Books About Rebuilding After Disaster
Connected & Blueprint - Nicholas Christakis (one is about social connection and contagion, the other is about building or rebuilding societies)
Antifragile - Nassim Taleb
Kid’s Books
Charlotte’s Web - EB White
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate DiCamillo
Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs - Tomie dePaola
The Invisible String - Patrice Karst
Podcasts
Responsibility is the key to meaning - Jordan Peterson
The Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe with Dr. Sean Carroll - Psychology Podcast