Barbie is the pink version of nihilism
Beneath the Waves: Exploring Nihilism in Modern Times
Before delving into the subject matter, I’d like to preface this article with a clarification: this article is not intended as an accusation of nihilism. From my perspective, nihilism isn’t a choice; rather, it’s akin to an ocean in which we are all immersed in contemporary society. If you have the patience to read, you will understand what is truly meant by nihilism.
So, let’s embark on this journey together, with an open mind and a willingness to explore the complexities of our cultural landscape.
Brief Introduction to the Film “Barbie”
The film “Barbie” stands out as a cinematographic work that captures attention, not only for its lively scenery and captivating costumes but also for its attempt to confront relevant social and existential issues for contemporary society.
Barbie is characterized by its extravagant scenery, colorful costumes, and meticulously crafted choreography, representing a visual masterpiece. Beyond the aesthetic aspect, the film offers remarkable elements for reflection and contemplation.
From a screenwriting perspective, the references to film classics such as “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “The Matrix” are developed with originality, demonstrating an interesting appeal to various cultural and philosophical elements.
Regarding “2001: A Space Odyssey”, the girls of the late 1950s destroy traditional dolls in favor of the pin-up with the zebra costume, taking them out of their role as mothers and midwives to embrace a new vision of femininity and of the female universe.
The reference to “The Matrix” in several scenes of “Barbie” is not accidental, but rather a narrative element that emphasizes the need to review and transform the perception of the world.
This reference introduces a key theme: the comparison between two realities, an utopian one represented by Barbie’s world and the other, a more patriarchal and concrete reality.
This duality significantly reflects the Platonic dichotomy between the world of ideas and the sensible reality. In Platonic terms, every transformation implies a sort of “exit from the cave”, a process of enlightenment that leads us to recognize and reject the shadows projected on the wall as the only reality.
Once emerged in this new awareness, the challenge is to return to the cave to share the new vision with others, trying to convince them that reality is more than what appears on the surface. This process is not only a personal journey, but also an attempt to collectively deconstruct and redefine reality, shaping it in new and more truthful ways.
In “Barbie”, this symbolic journey is undertaken through the events of the characters, who move in a universe where conventions and expectations are questioned.
The film explores the attempt to overturn and reshape reality, not only as an individual act but as a collective enterprise that requires courage, imagination, and the willingness to challenge the status quo.
Finally, the reference to Proust (with The Proust Barbie) subtly introduces the theme of time, memory, and identity, concepts that resonate, but that are not deeply explored in the movie.
In essence, through a narrative fabric interwoven with symbolism and metaphors, “Barbie” presents itself as fertile ground for proposing a social critique and a new vision of the world.
Nietzsche and Nihilism
In this context, “Barbie” is not just an entertainment film: it is a work of art that challenges conventions, inviting the viewer to embark on a journey in one of the paths that modern feminism has undertaken. It is in this scenario, that we introduce nihilism, as defined by Friedrich Nietzsche.
Friedrich Nietzsche’s definition of nihilism has been prophetic and visionary, anticipating the socio-cultural dynamics of the following two centuries. Nietzsche identifies the emergence of nihilism as a phenomenon characterized by the devaluation of supreme values.
In a nihilistic world, there is no defined purpose. The answers to life’s big “whys?” become increasingly elusive, with a general degradation of previously accepted values.
“What I describe is the history of the next two centuries. I describe what is coming […]: the rise of nihilism. […].
What does nihilism mean?
It means that the supreme values are devalued.
There is no purpose.
There is no answer to the “why?”[…]”
Contemporary society, immersed in this nihilistic reality described by Nietzsche, shows three different reactions:
1. Return to Ancient Values: Some argue that old values should be recovered and brought back to shape our lives and society.
2. The Great Reset and Cancel Culture: This group seeks to completely reset existing values, aiming for a cultural rebirth.
3. Transformation of Values for the Modern World: Finally, there are those who aspire to transform old values to adapt them to the contemporary context.
The problem with the first reaction to nihilism is that it is impossible to overlook that, the values of the past had a meaning in their historical context. Now, these values cannot simply be restored, ignoring the significant social, philosophical, and technological changes that society has undergone. Paradoxically, many of the supporters of a return to such values, often do not even conform to them in their daily lives.
Asfor the second type of reaction, it proposes a vision in which people can be shaped according to new standards and rules of conformity, imposed by a group considered the “holder of truth”. But who would these architects of society be, tasked with reprogramming future generations?
It is an approach that, associated with cancel culture, risks completely erasing tradition and history, instead of transforming or integrating them. Tradition, although imperfect, represents a cultural heritage that provides a fundamental contribution to understanding society, while giving individuals a compass for thought and life.
This perspective risks destroying the traditional cultural heritage, which, despite its imperfections, constitutes a fundamental part of our collective identity. Ignoring or eliminating traditional culture means throwing oneself into the void without a parachute.
Finally, there is the vision of those who would like to transform ancient values into something more suitable for the modern context. However, the problem with this perspective lies in the difficulty of determining how to effectively transform traditional values. Many attempts so far have proved ineffective. In the context of postmodernity, the weight of relativism crushes all efforts to find fixed points and a shared values’ base.
What often emerges is a battle between factions, in which each side tries to impose its own vision. This continuous and exhausting confrontation never ends, and it is impossible to rach a shared judgment criterion.
The Nihilism of Barbie
The film “Barbie” clearly falls within the paradigm of nihilism, particularly following the current of thought associated with the “great reset”. The artistic vision of the director and screenwriter transports us into a matriarchal universe tinged with pink, where women hold absolute power and embody the freedom to be whatever they desire. However, this representation proves to be misleading and deeply nihilistic.
First of all, it is not even clear what they desire.
The film develops as a feminist parable, but gets lost in a tangle of too many narrative threads, making the direction and final message ambiguous.
There is an atmosphere of feminist rhetoric, but the crucial question arises: what alternative is proposed?
The answers provided by the film are controversial:
· Characters struggling with problems, without ever finding a clear direction or aspiration.
· Lives without purpose, where existence is reduced to a mere pursuit of the moment and fun.
· Unrealizable utopias that have no roots in reality.
· An inner void that permeates the essence of the characters.
· Exaggerated individualism, accompanied by a marked female narcissism.
· From a male point of view, there is a sense of uselessness and weakness, although traces of physical violence exercise still remain.
· The two genders are inevitably separated, with men and women belonging to worlds that are now irreconcilable and without the possibility of sharing and communicating.
· The film’s protagonists are self-referential.
· In Barbie’s world, the issue of procreation and managing a family is completely absent and irrelevant.
· There is no trace of any drive towards life planning, as if “carpe diem” had become the new religion.
In conclusion, the film “Barbie” seems to embody Nietzsche’s definition of nihilism: a world where traditional values have been subverted, but without proposing a constructive alternative or a new horizon of meaning.
It is a universe where existence is reduced to a series of disconnected moments and movements, devoid of a common thread that unites them in a vision that can allow a society to sustain itself.
Translated from italian article Il femminismo di Barbie e il nichilismo | Npensieri.it with the help of ChatGPT — English & Italian Translator
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