This was my second read of this book.
My first read was in 2019. Back then, it felt like I was hearing about Stoicism everywhere. So I skipped the Ryan Holiday spinoffs and went to the source, then quickly understood why so many were gravitating to this ancient philosophy.
Nature is the arbiter of your fate, justice is your north star, and all things work toward the function of Nature, which itself is benevolent and serves the good of the universe; you as a descendant of her eternal mechanism are subject to the fluctuations of the natural cycle, from your birth to death there is nothing you can do but accept and live virtuously, so that you many expose your highest form while you draw breath.
This is the philosophy in summary. And like many I found it very appealing when I first read it. All the tweet quotes and video essay materials jumped out at me and had me nodding along.
On this read I went through it with greater criticism. Not that I was looking for flaws in it. More like I've seen a lot more shit in the past seven years, add the most memorable sayings weren't the only thing that caught my attention.
Ultimately the experience was better this time, because I was able to absorb more of the darker tone baked into the "Hakuna Matata" message. Of course it's not that simplistic, but I find Marcus' argument boils down to: "trust nature, don't worry about what happens to you for it is neither good nor bad, only Nature" oh and if you feel overwhelmed for a prolonged period due poor hands she deals you, just kill yourself, then see? no more problems or worries! You were only a speck of being anyway and likely you'll be forgotten in a century or two so don't sweat it.
I get the perspective and understand how in our mad world that would be a comforting message to many. But for me, I couldn't swallow it so easily this time. Especially since, I'm in a season of my life where few things make much sense. I didn't take it as empowering, only as one man sharing his laments across millennia.
That's not to say this is a bad book. As the source material for an entire philosophy it's clearly important. It just didn't resonate with me this time as much as it did during my first read.
In a way that's a sign I've changed since then. For better or worse? I guess only Nature knows.
