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The Conspiracy Against the Human Race

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'The Conspiracy Against the Human Race' by Thomas Ligotti delves into the horror that consciousness brings about, presenting a pessimistic view on life, mankind, and the universe. Ligotti explores the idea that human existence is a curse, with consciousness being a detriment rather than a benefit. Through references to various philosophers, mystics, and neuroscientists, Ligotti argues that life is inherently meaningless and existence is a painful cul de sac. serves as a philosophical exploration of the horror that comes from being aware of our mortality and the futility of seeking meaning in an indifferent universe.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is darkly poetic, engaging, and reflective, presenting complex philosophical ideas with a blend of wit and somberness.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around deep philosophical themes, particularly highlighting human consciousness and its implications on existence. It critiques the notion of searching for meaning in an inherently meaningless universe.

Setting:

The setting is primarily conceptual, revolving around philosophical discussions rather than a specific geographical location.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate and methodical, allowing for thorough exploration of complex ideas, though it can sometimes feel repetitive.
To avoid all possibility of false appearances, I should disclose up front to being a writer of supernatural horror stories. Strictly speaking, then, The Conspiracy against the Human Race represents mo...

Notes:

The Conspiracy Against the Human Race is written by horror author Thomas Ligotti and serves as a philosophical exploration of pessimism.
Ligotti argues that human consciousness is a curse rather than a gift, suggesting that we're 'self-sentient puppets' in a chaotic universe.
The book examines the idea that life is 'malignantly useless', with claims that our existence is an error in the grand scheme of the universe.
Ligotti heavily references various philosophers throughout history, particularly those who align with pessimistic thought, like Peter Wessel Zapffe and Arthur Schopenhauer.
The book is known to have inspired the character Rust Cohle from the first season of True Detective, who expresses similar nihilistic views.
It discusses the psychological mechanisms humans use to cope with the stark reality of a meaningless existence and the horrors inherent in consciousness itself.
Many readers describe the book as deeply unsettling and recommend it only for those who are ready to confront existential dread without the comforts of uplifting messages.
Unlike typical horror narratives, The Conspiracy Against the Human Race uses philosophical discourse to explore themes that resonate with deep anxieties about human existence.
Some readers find the book offers a sense of companionship in their own struggles with existence, making them feel less isolated in their pessimism.
Ligotti's writing style is noted for being elegant yet repetitive, which reflects the unavoidable nature of the themes he discusses.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include existential dread, discussions of suicide, mental health struggles, and nihilistic themes.

From The Publisher:

In Thomas Ligotti's first nonfiction outing, an examination of the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life through an insightful, unsparing argument that proves the greatest horrors are not the products of our imagination but instead are found in reality.

"There is a signature motif discernible in both works of philosophical pessimism and supernatural horror. It may be stated thus: Behind the scenes of life lurks something pernicious that makes a nightmare of our world."

His fiction is known to be some of the most terrifying in the genre of supernatural horror, but Thomas Ligotti's first nonfiction book may be even scarier. Drawing on philosophy, literature, neuroscience, and other fields of study, Ligotti takes the penetrating lens of his imagination and turns it on his audience, causing them to grapple with the brutal reality that they are living a meaningless nightmare, and anyone who feels otherwise is simply acting out an optimistic fallacy. At once a guidebook to pessimistic thought and a relentless critique of humanity's employment of self-deception to cope with the pervasive suffering of their existence, The Conspiracy against the Human Race may just convince readers that there is more than a measure of truth in the despairing yet unexpectedly liberating negativity that is widely considered a hallmark of Ligotti's work.

Ratings (7)

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Did Not Like (1)
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Reader Stats (29):

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1 comment(s)

Did Not Like
1 week

Almost finished the audiobook and realized I hadn't gotten enough into the book to really remember what I've read. Perhaps the audiobook wasn't for me or just the book overall

 

About the Author:

Thomas Ligotti was born in Detroit in 1953. Among the most acclaimed horror writers of the past thirty years, he has received three Bram Stoker Awards, a British Fantasy Award, and an International Horror Guild Award. He lives in South…

 
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