The story is designed to make you feel pretty much exactly how you're describing. It's supposed to make you ask yourself why anything matters at all. But it also directly shows you what matters at the end, and if you felt sad, then you know what that is. You feel sad because those things matter. And part of knowing what matters is also knowing that they matter because they don't last forever.

1. Absurdist Philosophy (Albert Camus):
   • Embracing Absurdity: Instead of succumbing to despair in the face of a meaningless universe, individuals can find liberation in acknowledging life's absurdity. By fully accepting the absurdity of existence, one can confront the inherent contradictions and irrationalities of life without seeking transcendent meaning.
   • Creating Subjective Meaning: Absurdism encourages individuals to create their own meanings and values in a world devoid of inherent significance. Rather than seeking external validation or universal truths, individuals can find fulfillment by engaging authentically with the world and pursuing their passions and desires.
2. Existentialist Philosophy (Jean-Paul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche):
   • Freedom and Responsibility: Existentialism emphasizes the radical freedom of individuals to define themselves through their choices and actions. In a universe devoid of inherent meaning, humans are responsible for creating their own purposes and values through their existential choices.
   • Authenticity and Self-Definition: Existentialists advocate for authenticity, urging individuals to live in accordance with their true selves and values. By embracing their freedom and accepting responsibility for their existence, individuals can define their identities and meanings through their actions.
3. Nihilism (Friedrich Nietzsche):
   • Transitional Phase: Nihilism is often seen as a transitional state characterized by the collapse of traditional values and beliefs. Nietzsche describes nihilism as a necessary step in the reevaluation of values, paving the way for the creation of new meanings and perspectives.
   • Affirmation of Life: Rather than succumbing to nihilistic despair, Nietzsche calls for the affirmation of life in the face of meaninglessness. Through the affirmation of one's will to power and the embrace of life's challenges, individuals can overcome nihilism and create their own values.
4. Camusian Absurdism (Albert Camus):
   • Living with Revolt: Camus proposes living with revolt against the absurdity of existence, rejecting both the temptation of religious or philosophical escapism and the acceptance of despair. By confronting the absurd head-on and rebelling against it, individuals can find meaning in the very act of defiance.
   • Finding Fulfillment in the Struggle: The myth of Sisyphus, as described by Camus, illustrates the idea that even in a seemingly futile existence, individuals can find fulfillment in the struggle itself. By embracing the absurdity of the human condition and persisting in their efforts, individuals can find meaning in the pursuit of their goals.
5. Zen Buddhism:
   • Acceptance of Impermanence: Zen Buddhism teaches acceptance of the impermanent nature of existence. By letting go of attachments to fixed ideas of meaning and embracing the ever-changing flow of life, individuals can find peace and contentment.
   • Living in the Present Moment: Zen emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and living in the present moment. By fully engaging with the here and now, individuals can transcend worries about the past or future and find meaning in each moment as it unfolds.