Welcome to The Culture Void
The universe is an indifferent place; we exist on, as Carl Sagan noted, "a small stage in a vast cosmic arena".1 We go about our daily lives trying to make sense of things and find meaning in the face of this indifference. Albert Camus called this struggle absurd2. If you're anything like me, you acknowledge the absurdity, but still defiantly search for meaning. The Culture Void is a call to all those who feel the same, and an exploration of media that guide us on our quest. What else is there to do? My laundry can wait in the dryer another day.
What is The Culture Void?
We are constantly distracted by ads, phone screens, and social media. We are surrounded by people, but not community; noise, but not music. Entertainment is designed to be consumed but not digested. Deep thought is an inconvenience. A thought rarely lasts longer than the time it takes to scroll to another video. This is The Culture Void. It is a disorienting space lacking cultural direction to guide our inner lives. It is a man-made echo of the indifferent, existential universe that offers no guidance or meaning.
"It seems significant that we don't want things to be quiet ever anymore" -David Foster Wallace3
How Do We Fight The Culture Void?
The Culture Void resides within us. We feel its influence when we watch YouTube videos during dinner, and engage with the chatter of inane gossip. It is incumbent on us to cultivate a rich inner life that throws off the ennui of The Culture Void. Through learning, discourse, and engaging with our communities, we develop ideas that illuminate our path by revealing the lessons of the past. The future is not a blank slate; it is paved with the wisdom that we borrow from the past. The work of fighting The Culture Void begins with the fight within ourselves.
Moving Forward
If you find yourself floating in The Culture Void, know that you are not alone. You share an elemental bond with others that is deep and strong.
"For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you" -Walt Whitman4
Join a community that is dedicated to finding direction beyond the distraction.
Comment below and share how you fight The Culture Void or leave a suggestion for a future discussion.
- Sagan, Carl. Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. With Ann Druyan. Random House Publishing Group, 2011.
- Camus, Albert. The Myth of Sisyphus. Vintage International Ser. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2018.
- “David Foster Wallace Unedited Interview (2003).” YouTube, December 25, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGLzWdT7vGc. Accessed: October 19, 2025.
- Whitman, Walt. Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass: The First (1855) Edition. 150th anniversary ed. Penguin Books, 2005.