Essay 39 - Can 42 Be the Answer?

When I mention that I am writing a book on the Meaning of Life, a common response is - 42. This is more evidence of them having some connection to popular culture then it is evidence that they have read the book where that answer is offered. 42 has become an iconic number so let us explore some of its meanings.

We can see it as a toss-off answer suggesting that we are silly to even attempt to understand such things. This is like the ending of Venus on the Half Shell where the question “Why?” is answered with the dismissive “Why not?”. This nihilistic view of life is repeated in the enigmatic series of numbers in the TV show LOST which ends in the number 42. This could be interpreted as - following patterns can just lead to meaninglessness.

Another interpretation might be found in the expression “it’s all sixes and sevens” which means it is confusing or hard to figure out. 42 equals 6×7 so 42 is all sixes and sevens and hence hard to figure out. If the ultimate answer is 42 then life is confusing and hard to figure out (worse yet it is unclear if it is six sevens or seven sixes)

I think for many people the answer is 42. Either life is meaningless so don’t waste your time or life is way too hard to understand, so don’t waste your time. Both are legitimate. But they are not the only answer. Another answer which I have attempted to put forth in this collection is that meaning is accessible to you if you are willing to make some effort to cultivate it. Will everybody find meaning in this way? I would say – yes, but to different degrees. Will they find enough meaning? That is hard to say. It depends on the amount of effort they make. Will they find ultimate meaning? Well, read the last essay (42).

This essay is 331 words long and the audio is just short of 2 3/4 minutes.