Imagine you’re working on a novel that just isn’t coming together. You’ve invested years into making it perfect —or at least presentable—but it still feels off. The feedback you’ve received points out flaws: one-dimensional characters, awkward dialogue, a meandering plot. You’re frustrated and tempted to give up.
But instead of quitting, you decide to push through. You might think, “It doesn’t matter if the characters seem flat or the dialogue is stiff. Maybe things will improve if I keep going.” And somehow, you continue working on it.
Have you ever had a similar experience? Then you might have experienced a sense of optimistic nihilism.
I’m currently reworking my entire project that I began 4 years ago, and at times, it feels incredibly demoralizing—like being sent to prison, getting released for good behavior, and then immediately committing another crime to be sent back.
I’m essentially redoing everything from scratch, revising scenes, reworking characters, and rethinking the plot. But instead of seeing this as a setback, I’m trying to view it as an opportunity. Every rewrite, every change is part of the creative journey. The novel’s transformation mirrors my growth as a writer. It’s not just about fixing flaws but about embracing the process of evolving and refining my work.
I know I sound delusional, and maybe that’s kind of what optimistic nihilism is about.
In practical terms, optimistic nihilism helps keep you moving forward, especially in creative work. It’s easy to doubt whether your efforts will pay off or if anyone will even notice. It’s like a tree producing apples that might fall and rot without being tasted. Does it matter if the apples are sweet if no one eats them?
From an optimistic nihilist perspective, the rotting apples are part of the process. They had their moment, and that’s valuable in itself. This mindset helps me see that the act of creating is worthwhile, regardless of the outcome.
You see, my goal is to write and create for as long as possible. To be a tree to bear fruit, regardless of the taste. Regardless of being planted in a spot where someone will come and pick them. Writing is the thing I want to do hopefully for the rest of my life, whether anyone will read my work or not. That’s the purpose I’m establishing for myself.
Optimistic nihilism supports the idea that I can create my own meaning, which helps me reframe my project. Every day that I continue to work on it, despite setbacks, brings me a sense of empowerment as I shape my life according to my values and interests. Not someone else’s, not some higher power. Simply put, I’m someone who is finding time to do what he loves.
You might find yourself in a similar situation someday, where all your hard work seems futile and you begin to question whether it’s worth continuing. Viewing it through the lens of optimistic nihilism can help. Stay hopeful that you’ll eventually reach your goals, and find peace in the understanding that, in the grand scheme of the universe, it may not ultimately matter.
Want to learn more about optimistic nihilism and creativity, check out this video right here.
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I’m Elliot, a writer and marketer. Two years ago, I found myself recovering from the doldrums of the pandemic, living a very sedentary life. I knew I needed a change, so I signed up for my first triathlon.
I really got obsessed with it and completed three sprint-distance races over 10 months. With each one, I felt more comfortable, confirming that I was ready for the next step.I’m ready for a new challenge.
So… entering 2024, I signed up for my first Olympic-distance triathlon in Vancouver.
In those earlier races, I sort of improvised my training plan, doing what I could, when I could. For the Olympic-distance race, I wanted to take a different approach. I wanted to commit to a structured plan and see it through. This led me to a new project: Project: Be Consistent.
You see, when you’re training, life often gets in the way. It’s easy to find excuses not to stick to the plan—I’ve been there. But for the next eight weeks, I’m determined to commit fully to my training. I believe that staying committed will be just as challenging as the race itself.
Will I be able to finish this project and arrive at the start line healthy? How will life interfere with my training, and will I be able to recover? What gains will I achieve from this project, and will the training be enough to help me reach the finish line?
In this first part, I’ll share my experience with the eight-week training plan. In part two, I’ll cover the trip to Italy I have planned during my taper week and my carb-loading process. Finally, part three will focus on my experience racing in the Vancouver Triathlon. Hit subscribe to stay updated when these next videos launch.
Now, join me as we find out if I have what it takes to complete my first Olympic-distance triathlon training plan.
Week 1: A New Challenge
The first week started off easy with a long ride outside followed by a quick 10-minute run to the brewery, just to celebrate the kickoff. But things quickly ramped up on day two with a strength workout that left my core and legs aching from planks and lunges. I’ve been neglecting those muscle groups. I mixed in some indoor rides not in the plan to recover. But still my runs and swims felt really sluggish this week—definitely a lot of work ahead in those areas.
My one key indoor ride this week was made more challenging when my fan ran out of battery. Not great, for a hot day. Despite the challenges, I was happy to get moving and enjoy the nice weather, even getting out to some community events. I pushed myself as much as I could, knowing that while the week felt easy at first, the fatigue would start to build.
Week 2: It’s 30 Degrees Celsius
It was a busy, hot week, but thankfully, I managed to fit everything in and survive the heat. I didn’t do any extra training on the bike this week—not that I needed it. Just what was on the plan, nothing more. The week started with a solid run as I continued working on building speed.
The weekly strength workout left my glutes aching, though my core felt fine, which was a good sign. These strength workouts just might pay off. I enjoyed some great outdoor rides this week, including commuting to work.
The swim, however, was tough, and I struggled to get faster, realizing that my aerobic endurance had waned. This became clear when I swam in a 50m pool for the first time in months. I crashed my bike a few months ago, and my previously injured right arm felt sore, leaving me a bit concerned about the process.
I ended the week with a long ride followed by a challenging 15-minute run off the bike. My calves tightened in the transition, and I have a feeling that soreness will stick around for a day or two. The fun part of the training plan might just have ended.
Week 3: Uh Oh! My Foot Hurts
The week started with an easy ride to work, giving me a bit of recovery. Up until Thursday, it was relatively light, but then came a strength workout and a tough swim. By Friday morning, my legs were sore again—those lunges always get me. And to top it off, I had an interval run scheduled that day, which led into a weekend packed with most of my workouts.
This week was definitely back-heavy. I had hoped to use it for recovery and to feel fresh, but instead, it was a rollercoaster within just seven days. It really makes me appreciate the moments when I do feel good. Surprisingly, the hard run wasn’t so bad in the moment, but after resting at home, I noticed pain in my right foot whenever I put weight on it. Uh oh! That could slow me down.
On Saturday, I pushed through with a ride out to a swim, which was so enjoyable, though my foot was still sore whenever I put weight on it. Cycling and swimming was fine, but there was no way I could run. I decided to modify my Sunday’s planned 90-minute ride and 20-minute run, opting for just the ride instead. While it’s improving, my foot isn’t anywhere close to ready. I had to shuffle my schedule for next week, but I’m hoping to run by Wednesday. If not, it’s going to be a real disappointment, and my whole project to be consistent is in jeopardy.
Week 4: Halfway There!
I finally had a much-needed do-nothing rest day, which was absolutely necessary. My foot is improving, but after a 20-minute walk, I could still feel it giving out. Despite this, I’m hopeful and noticing progress. It’s surprising how random this injury is—I can’t pinpoint what caused it—just a classic running issue.
On Wednesday, I went for a slow run, and my foot felt okay. However, when I increased the intensity on Friday, I felt a twinge of pain towards the end of the run, with about 3-5 minutes left in the workout. The amount of running in my schedule is quite demanding, and I’m starting to rethink whether I should swap some hard interval runs for bike rides to give my foot more time to heal.
No, I couldn’t swap anymore, otherwise, my whole training plan would be out of whack.
I took it easy towards the end after a long ride with some hills, gradually pushing my limits. I did one more run this week, a run off the bike. The foot felt good overall—just a little niggle—but I managed to get through without making anything worse. I capped off the week with a fantastic open water swim, and I’m feeling positive about my body’s ability to recover and the progress overall.
Week 5: Road Trip to Okanagan
This week is shaping up to be quite unique since I’ll be heading out of town this weekend and I have the Olympics occupying my mind. While I want to fit in as much as possible, it’s also a good opportunity for some recovery. I kicked off the week with strength training, focusing more on my right arm and my ankles. Naturally I got really into the pistol squat. I followed all that up with a solid long swim, really pushing myself in the pool.
The highlight of the week, though, was following the Olympics and wondering if the triathlon would happen. After the first canceled race, messing up my sleep schedule, I was committed, I stayed up until 4 a.m. the next night to watch it, and I’m thrilled it all worked out, especially with Alex Yee’s inspiring win.
The next day, a little sleep deprived, I did a 45-minute run and surprisingly felt great with no pain. The day after, I tackled a cycling workout, but my legs felt really tired, the accumulated fatigue from the past few weeks and that late night had caught up with me. So much for recovery. I wrapped up Friday with my VO2 max run, and felt really accomplished. Now, I’m gearing up for the weekend away, and an opportunity to swim in Kal Lake out in the Okanagan. This made it a notable week in my training, and I hope to one day do a triathlon out in this part of my province.
Week 6: Hard Work, Working Hard
I returned from the trip and it’s August long weekend, so I took a day off from work to get back into my routine. I went for a ride to a pool further out in the city that I haven’t been before. It was a nice change. This week was run-heavy, as I tried to make up for a missed run from a few weeks ago. Although I’m feeling tired, I’m still managing to get through the workouts.
I’ve scheduled some maintenance, including a massage this week and a physio next week. I think this is a good idea as the training plan is coming to an end. The massage was much needed after all the running this week. Even though it may not seem like a lot, everything’s adding up, and after a tough run on the Friday, I felt completely spent.
On Saturday, I had my open water swim on the race course in Second Beach. This was a great swim. We ended up walking home from the beach and I took a three-hour nap feeling confident but tired. I wrapped up the week with a 90-minute bike ride followed by a run. And that day, it was clear that I really needed rest, not because of an injury but due to the sheer volume of training. I’m exhausted, but I’m also at a crucial point where most of my gains can happen. As we approach the finish line, I need to carefully balance pushing hard with avoiding injury.
Week 7: Losing Motivation
Here is where consistency gets hard. It’s easy in the beginning, but now it’s all about fitting in the tough workouts and finding time to recover. When training stops being enjoyable and starts feeling like an obligation, it becomes hard to stay committed, especially when you’re tired and busy. On the bright side, I managed to sign up to go swimming at the Kitsilano pool which is the longest outdoor pool in Canada. I didn’t think it would happen this year, because it was under repair, but I have it all set to do that on Friday.
Then, on Thursday—my rest day—I woke up early to visit the physio about my right elbow, which has been sore since a crash in April. The physio suggested that scar tissue might still be present and needed attention through stretching and rolling. I returned home, expecting to start work, but instead, I got laid off. At least my elbow is getting better.
After the initial shock wore off I felt that triathlon training was trivial and considered giving up on the entire race, even though I was so close to finishing. I really fell into a funk those few days. I got a chance to swim in the outdoor pool at least once this year, but the joy of it was dampened a bit due to all the sudden stress I was under. There was a lot of time now to think… and naturally, I went down some negative spirals.
On Saturday, with a 90-minute bike ride and a 20-minute run scheduled, I was reluctant to train. However, with my wife’s encouragement, I decided to go for a 10k run, moving my easy run workout from Sunday to Saturday. I realized that triathlon training, which I had previously viewed as a reward for finishing my work, is actually something I need to maintain my emotional well-being, regardless of employment. It’s a crucial outlet for me, and without it, I tend to fall into a dark place. It’s not a reward… It’s essential.
Week 8: The End is the Beginning
This week was tough for motivation. I was exhausted and emotional, and though I should have been looking forward to completing the workout plan, I just felt worn out. I should have been excited about finishing up, but I struggled with the last few workouts. Despite the fatigue and the stress of getting my life back together and preparing for a trip to Italy, I managed to get everything done. Training for the triathlon didn’t feel like a top priority, but it provided a welcome escape. Once I was outside and moving, I felt better—though still tired. Now, I’m ready for taper week; I think I really need it.
So much has happened in my life over the past eight weeks, and there’s still so much more to come. I have big plans, but first, I need to tackle a few key events. The first is a trip to Italy—not just to attend a wedding but also to focus on carb loading. Following that, the race is right around the corner. As soon as I return from my trip, I’ll have 2 days to prep for that.
That’s right! A lot more to come! Stay tuned for the next part in this series Project: Be Consistent, as I dive into my Italian adventure, where I’ll be carb loading and tapering for the big race ahead. How did it go? Is it as easy to carb load in Italy as it sounds? Can I actually get enough rest to finish my race after travelling? Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss the next episode. And check out this playlist for more of my endurance sport journey.
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Before we talk about Hated in the Nation, let’s flashback to when this episode was first released: October 21, 2016
In 2016, the European Union teamed up with big tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Microsoft to launch the “Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online.” This voluntary agreement aimed to fight the spread of illegal hate speech. The platforms committed to reviewing and removing such content within 24 hours of being notified. While it was a significant step forward, challenges remained regarding its effectiveness, accountability, and balancing free speech with regulation.
Smartphone manufacturers integrated facial recognition features into their devices in 2016. This allowed users to unlock phones, authorize payments, and access secure apps using facial biometrics, adding an extra layer of security and convenience.
Also in 2016, the Robird, developed by Clear Flight Solutions, emerged as an innovative solution for bird control, particularly in environments where pest birds could cause significant damage or pose safety risks like the airport.
The Mirai botnet attacks of 2016 were a series of cybersecurity incidents that targeted Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as security cameras, home routers, and smart home devices. The hackers exploited common vulnerabilities like default passwords and insecure configurations to infect a large number of IoT devices and launch massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks highlighted the security flaws in IoT devices, leading to more efforts to improve network defenses against such threats.
In 2016, costume companies and retailers got into trouble for selling offensive Halloween costumes. Some faced backlash for designs that were seen as perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and Hillary Duff were also called out for their costume choices. However, they weren’t the most hated figures of the year.
In February 2016, Martin Shkreli, a businessman, appeared before a congressional hearing to testify about drug pricing practices. The hearing focused on his company, Turing Pharmaceuticals’ pricing of Daraprim, which had been raised from $13.50 to $750 per pill, and its impact on patient access to affordable medication. Shkreli’s unapologetic demeanor and evasive answers during the hearing only made the public angrier, cementing his status as one of the most hated people in the world.
And that brings us to episode 6, season 3 of Black Mirror, “Hated in the Nation.” This episode isn’t just a crime drama; it dives into the dark side of social media and technology. It makes us think about how tech is used in climate change and law enforcement and how online anonymity, mob mentality, and viral outrage impact society. Who is responsible for the fallout from viral trends and public shaming? What are the ethical and moral implications of our actions online? And how do we handle the backfire of our good intentions?
In this video, we’ll explore 3 themes of this episode and determine whether similar events have happened — and if not, whether they are still plausible.
The Right to Offend
In this episode, detective Karin Parke found herself plunged into one of the most disturbing cases of her career. It all started with the mysterious death of a journalist who had been targeted online. The hashtag #DeathTo seemed like a cruel joke, but it quickly became clear that this was no coincidence. Each victim had been publicly shamed and vilified on social media, and now they were turning up dead.
Most of the people who used the hashtag #DeathTo didn’t think it was serious. They saw it as just another way to vent their frustrations or join in on the latest online mob. They believed joking online shouldn’t have real-world consequences, and they never imagined their actions could lead to someone’s death. This mindset highlighted a disturbing hypocrisy.
The inspirations for this episode were plenty. The creator of Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker had firsthand experience with public backlash after writing a satirical article for The Guardian in 2004. In the article, Brooker wrote, “John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Hinckley Jr, where are you now that we need you?” — implying the assassination of then-U.S. president George W. Bush.
This led to a torrent of violent messages directed at Brooker, prompting him to apologize and The Guardian to remove the article from their website. Although this experience occurred before the rise of Twitter, with early social media, people no longer needed an authoritative platform to share their unsavory thoughts anymore. That was… until 2013, when the public had enough and the right to do whatever you want on the Internet officially ended. The warning signs came in the form of Cancels.
Kevin Hart faced significant backlash over homophobic tweets from nearly a decade earlier. These tweets resurfaced after he was announced as the host for the 2019 Oscars. The controversy led to Hart stepping down from the gig and issuing multiple apologies.
Roseanne Barr posted a racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett, a former advisor to President Obama. The tweet was widely condemned, leading to ABC canceling the 2018 reboot of her show “Roseanne” and relaunching it without her as “The Conners”.
Kathy Griffin faced intense backlash after posting a photo of herself holding a prop that looked like the severed head of President Donald Trump. The photo sparked outrage across social media and led to Griffin being fired from her role as co-host of CNN’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, as well as receiving death threats.
And the list continues.
But this is not limited to public figures. When normal people do something that the public feel is disrespectful, they are often called out now.
In 2014, a teenager from Brecksville, Ohio, Breanna Mitchell posted a selfie on Twitter smiling at Auschwitz. The photo was widely condemned. But the phototaker wondered if in fact the mob against her had gone too far. Was she really not allowed to smile?
In this episode, we are asked to question the rights people have to express themselves and to fully understand what the freedom of speech actually means.
Freedom of speech is not absolute and is subject to certain limitations, such as when speech incites violence, promotes hate, or jeopardizes public safety. In democratic societies, there are often laws and regulations that balance freedom of speech with other societal values.
While freedom of speech protects the expression of diverse viewpoints and critical discourse, it also entails accountability for the impact of one’s words on others and society at large. “Hated in the Nation” reminds us to be mindful of what we say and do online, because while we may take full liberty of our freedom of speech, we never know who might be watching, or better yet, recording.
Unpopularity Contest
As the investigation unfolds in Hated in the Nation, it is revealed that the ADIs, those robotic bees, have been hacked by an individual seeking to punish those who were nominated by using a social media hashtag, #DeathTo.
Trending topics are familiar, the internet is known to use hate and anger as clickbait through sensational headlines and polarizing content. Media outlets and content creators capitalize on that to boost engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments. Additionally algorithms amplify this by promoting content that aligns with users’ beliefs, creating echo chambers that reinforce extreme viewpoints.
While effective for driving traffic, these tactics undermine civil discourse and exacerbate societal tensions. For instance, during the 2020 U.S. presidential election, many right-wing users were frequently exposed to posts and news articles supporting claims of election fraud. This led to a stronger belief in misinformation and contributed to events like the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
But it doesn’t begin and end in politics. Echo chambers are also prevalent in other communities as well, including health and wellness, sports, lifestyle and hobbies, and entertainment.
Gamergate was a 2014 controversy that started in the gaming community but quickly became a broader cultural phenomenon. It involved harassment campaigns and online abuse targeting women in the gaming industry and facilitating the spread of misogynistic rhetoric and coordinated attacks against those perceived as threats to the status quo in gaming culture.
Trends are essentially the heartbeat of the Internet. It keeps it alive and active. With an endless scroll of influential idiots to follow, it’s hard to predict what people will get caught up with next.
“Momo” was a controversial and widely discussed online trend that emerged in 2018. It involved a creepy-looking sculpture of a woman with exaggerated features, initially created by a Japanese artist. The image was used in online challenges on social media platforms, where users were reportedly encouraged to contact “Momo” and engage in dangerous tasks that could lead to self-harm or harm to others. The trend spread globally, causing panic among parents, educators, and Kim Kardashian.
Many experts and authorities suggested that the trend was largely a hoax or urban legend, with no confirmed cases of direct harm linked to it. Despite the ambiguity surrounding “Momo,” it highlighted broader concerns about the influence of online trends and challenges, particularly those targeting vulnerable individuals such as children and teenagers.
But online challenges have long existed:
The Tide Pod Challenge gained infamy in 2018, with participants, primarily teenagers, posting videos of themselves biting into or consuming laundry detergent pods.
Originating in Russia between 2015 and 2016, the Blue Whale Challenge reportedly encouraged participants to complete a series of tasks over 50 days, culminating in self-harm such as carving “F57” into their writs or suicide. Russian independent media, Novaya Gazeta reports that about 130 children have killed themselves after participating in this game.
And let’s not forget the ever fateful, Choking Game. Although not exclusive to social media, the choking game is as it sounds. It involves self-strangulation or suffocation to induce a temporary high or euphoria. In the U.S., 82 children aged 6 to 19 died from playing the Choking Game between 1995 and 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This ignited fear as the game gained popularity online in 2016, with over 36 million YouTube results, many of which providing instructions for this activity.
I can go on… but let’s stop there.
The reasons for following trends are as basic as human connection and community, but social media and digital platforms often play a role in what trends we follow, promoting content through algorithms. While humor and creativity can trigger the algorithm, nothing sparks engagement like content that promotes fear and loathing.
Fake Animals, Real Hacks
RoboBees are tiny, insect-inspired robots developed by researchers at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. The project, which began in 2009, aims to create autonomous flying microrobots capable of performing tasks typically carried out by bees, such as pollination.
Much like the ADIs (Autonomous Drone Insects) in “Hated in the Nation,” RoboBees are incredibly small, weighing just a fraction of a gram. They are constructed with components made from lightweight materials like carbon fiber.
Early versions of RoboBees were tethered, receiving power and control signals through a wire. However, researchers are developing untethered versions with onboard power sources and advanced sensors for autonomous navigation and operation.
Developing fully autonomous RoboBees requires advanced sensors, control algorithms, and efficient onboard power systems. Current research includes creating lightweight micro-batteries and energy harvesting technologies. Another area of focus is developing swarm behavior, allowing RoboBees to work together, similar to how real bees operate in a hive, which involves sophisticated communication and coordination algorithms.
“Hated in the Nation” illustrates the dangers of such technologies being misused for surveillance and targeted attacks. But real-world researchers must also assess their impact on ecosystems and ensure responsible use.
Overall, RoboBees represent a fascinating intersection of biology and engineering, with the potential to address critical challenges in agriculture, environmental conservation, and disaster response. Despite the significant technical and ethical hurdles that remain, the ongoing research and development efforts hold promise for a future where RoboBees could play a vital role in various fields, just as ADIs were intended to do in “Hated in the Nation.”
The stark comparison underscores the importance of careful consideration and regulation to prevent potential misuse and unintended consequences. As we saw in the episode, failure to do so will be dire. But the real world is also full of alarming examples.
In 2011, a cybersecurity breach at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, compromised systems controlling US Predator and Reaper drones. Malware — including a keylogger, a virus used to capture passwords — infected both classified and unclassified networks, raising security alarms — and ultimately impacting the control over the drones operating in Afghanistan. This incident spurred efforts to bolster defenses against cyber threats targeting essential defense systems.
But alas, no technology can be considered completely unhackable, as the potential for exploitation often exists due to the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats.
Governments allocate substantial portions of their budgets to cybersecurity. For example, the United States federal government proposed a $12.33 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 to secure federal networks and combat nation-state cyber threats and hacking campaigns. This represents a 10% increase from the previous year.
However, all the security didn’t prevent a global tech outage on July 19, 2024, which grounded airlines, knocked news channels off the air, brought banks offline, and disrupted 911 operators. People worldwide couldn’t boot up their computers due to a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, causing Windows computers to crash with the Blue Screen of Death. World wide chaos, all due to a simple error — not a malicious hack.
So it seems, when it comes to our technological infrastructure, we are only as strong as our weakest link.
Whether we are part of the swarm or trapped in it, “Hated in the Nation” reminds us of our personal and collective mistakes. As technology advances and our communication expands, so does our isolation and the power of the mob. Safety in numbers is an illusion, and acting alone is impossible. What happens to your neighbor will likely happen to you. We are playing with unstable toys — new and shiny, but precarious dominoes ready to fall. We are right on track for events in this episode to unfold as it’s harmful to stay alone and terrifying to join the crowd.
For more writing ideas and original stories, please sign up for my mailing list. You won’t receive emails from me often, but when you do, they’ll only include my proudest works.
Join my YouTube community for insights on writing, the creative process, and the endurance needed to tackle big projects. Subscribe Now!
Elliot Chan 