2011-10-10
Explanation
This comic contrasts a "College Nihilist" with a "Real Nihilist." In the top panel, labeled "College Nihilist," a passionate young man is dramatically lecturing his friends: "Don't you guys get it? None of this matters! It's all pointless! I know because I've written four essays about it. FOUR!" The irony is thick -- he claims nothing matters, yet he has invested enormous effort into arguing this point, writing four whole essays to prove that effort is meaningless.
The bottom panel, labeled "Real Nihilist," shows a man standing alone in front of what appears to be a bank or stock exchange, saying: "I'm gonna make as much money as I can, and spend it on more money." This is the comic's thesis: a true nihilist -- someone who genuinely believes nothing has inherent meaning -- wouldn't waste time writing philosophical essays or arguing with friends. Instead, they would simply pursue the most straightforwardly self-serving path available, accumulating wealth for its own sake without pretending there's some deeper point to it.
The votey shows the SMBC author (Zach Weinersmith) giving a thumbs up with the text: "Addendum: Please buy SMBC products so I can become more nihilistic." This is a self-deprecating joke that positions the author himself as aspiring to "real" nihilism -- he wants to make money (from merch sales) and thereby become a more authentic nihilist, playfully collapsing the distinction between the comic's satire and his own commercial interests.