‘Life is Meaningless’: Selected Male YouTubers’ Reflections and Confessionals on Life’s Lack of Meaning and Their Philosophical and Higher Educational Implications

This study aimed to look into the sense of meaninglessness highlighted by five purposively sampled YouTube videos created by males of various ages and ethnicities. This qualitative study, conducted on July 23, 2024, analyzed five YouTube confessionals from males of different ethnicities and ages discussing life’s meaninglessness, published between June 21, 2021, and June 20, 2023. Participants included a 57-year-old, a young adult, two individuals in their 30s-40s, and another in their 40s. Their videos ranged from 8 to 23.5 minutes and were selected based on a confessional style. Transcripts were generated using a YouTube transcribing application and analyzed thematically. The study follows case study and data mining approach on adult males sharing on YouTube about life’s meaninglessness. The reflections revealed themes of existential despair, criticism of modern capitalist society, isolation, dissatisfaction with work, frustration with technology, and a quest for authenticity and peace. Individuals grapple with deep disillusionment and search for meaning in a fragmented world. They question the value of life, criticize societal structures and capitalism, and feel isolated due to their critical views. Their reflections critique the notion of work providing fulfillment and express frustration with manipulative technology and consumerism. Despite this, they desire authenticity and peace, longing for a genuine existence free from societal pretenses and hoping for a peaceful afterlife, highlighting a profound yearning for meaning.