I encourage you to keep trying different things. As a quote goes: "Its okay to go through awful places, just don't stop and unpack". For me personally finding communities have been THE most meaningful thing I found in my life.
Economical how? Economic theories are per definitions theories of how to distribute scarce resources. When I reflect on the forces that keep us down, they're only 'economical' in the sense that they are self-serving. Oil companies making massive profits, are making massive profits whilst literally drowning entire countries due to the sea levels rising (and honestly, that's the least of our concerns when you look at the bigger picture). Tiktok is generating massive profits, whilst at the same time making us/the young retarded (thus leading to less total resources).
And sure, there is also the monotony that is economically efficient. Think of our jobs being increasingly specialized and thus repetitive, because that is how we create resources. Sure, part of the monotony does come from that, but I wouldn't say that is the main factor. If resources were allocated more equally, we could easily work less.
If adjusted for productivity over the last 50 years, the minimum wage of the US would be $26 an hour. Currently someone earning minimum wage ($7.25), assuming they're working 40h a week as they are expected to, makes $290 a week. If they were earning the amount they should be earning (assuming this $26 wage of earlier), they could make this money in just a little over 11h a week. Then, instead of working 29h extra to make as much profit as possible for their shareholders of a lifeless conglomerate, they could do something less monotonous. Think about doing something creative, visiting family and friends more, or heck, work a 2nd job that is more interesting (but is less productive). LIFE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE BORING.... even if we keep being pushed towards this.
This kind of reminds me of my favorite book, called 'island'. It was written by the same author as 'brave new world', but instead of the story being played in a dystopia, the story was being played in a utopia. This book describes so many amazing ideas, but in the context of this, it described one's work life as followed: Everyone on the island worked multiple jobs, switching them semi-regularly. Which, they did for the exact reason I described earlier - to make life less monotonous.
Meaning is inherently subjective. Why do you think when you ask ChatGPT the meaning of life, he can't give you a straight answer (because he himself says he doesn't experience any subjective reality). But, you are right about it being hard... just not that it is 'objective'.
Finding meaning is not like dividing by zero. Because, the problem with dividing by 0 in mathematics, is that nobody can do it. The problem with finding meaning, is that only few can do it. You can say their meanings are futile, but, those who have truly found meaning, won't let themselves be influenced by another's nihilism. Life is more complex than some metaphors to an impossibility.
Something I've noticed is that the weakest part of chatGPT is to come up with something truly 'unique'. It is great at using something known, finding a pattern and using that pattern to create something anew. Whilst we humans, at a deeper level do that to, I think the very last thing that is gonna be replaced by machines is this executive function - of coming up with something truly unique.
Another thing chatGPT, partially due to its constraints, is unable to do, is take initiative. I tried poking it to take the initiative to ask questions, but I couldn't get into a conversation where ChatGPT started leading the conversation. In general 'initiative' is a rare sight (but, in my personal life it is the fuel which powers my engines), but, it is what may lead to greatness.
In my experience it helps when there are actions I can take with these two aspects. I try to take initiative left right center, I try to think of something unique and work with it. I'm a brainstorm machine just like you, so see if you can brainstorm to end up in new places, instead of brainstorming 'for' something else, like some AI chatbot. But, I must admit, it is something I can't do consistently. I'm still struggling with the monotony, but, every once a while I do get that eureka moment and think of a unique initiative which helps make my life more colorful.
Ah yeah I agree. No matter how good my life becomes, I still can't get rid of the thought that it would've been much nicer if I was never born. But, at least for me, suicide isn't an option. And, when you look at most suicidal person, suicide in general just isn't a great option (mostly because you end up hurting the one's you love). Thus, you are stuck here, until your life ends by forced outside your control.
So, welcome to the "sensory deprivation torture chamber", and realize that there is a big likelihood you're gonna be here for another few decades. Now the question should become "what to do with it", instead of "what is this madness".
Nature in these untouched places is inconvenient to us, precisely BECAUSE it is inconvenient to us. All convenient places are now concrete jungles. To make a more fair comparison, compare the places of ancient civilizations. Europe used to be full of trees, full of nature. Sure, there were a few wolves, and other easy deaths. But, life really wasn't that inconvenient there for us. I would much rather live in the tribal world than this concrete jungle. Chasing behind an animal sounds much more fun than sitting behind a desk for 8 hours lol.
But for real, nature can be wonderful. It's the small sensations that get me every time. The smell of plants, the sight of some insect crawling, the sound of birds chirping, the feeling of putting my hand in some body of water. Please be honest with me, what's the last time you went on a walk through nature, and tried being fully in the moment. No music, no distraction, no thoughts of anything except that which is here right now in front of you.
Yes, nature is cruel, but the cruelty is not the context I was trying to refer to (although to be fair I was a bit vague). Nature for me, means the moment, and it's the moment that is the ultimate key (if you wanna read a good book about this concept, go read 'the power of now'. Another one of my favorite books).
Whilst I agree the world that will come after the extinction that is inevitable this century, will be one much better than the current one. I think the process of extinction, will be of horrors beyond anyone's imagination. And, just like I said earlier, thinking of that which is outside of our control, doesn't get us very far.
But, in my personal life, I've noticed when I'm busy doing something meaningful, I no longer feel either. It is when one sits idle (or does something mindless for too long), that one experiences either pain or boredom. As another quote goes: "The idle mind, is the devil's playground". The problem here, is that finding something meaningful, is not only difficult, but made even more difficult by all systems in our world pushing us towards monotony.
Remember tho, despite the optimism I project here, I'm still really fucking frustrated with life. Holy shit it is driving me insane, but also holy shit what else can I do except wage a war?