Thomas S. Hibbs is Distinguished Professor of Ethics & Culture and Dean of the Honors College at Baylor University. He is the author of Arts of Darkness: American Noir and the Quest for Redemption.
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Description
Fragmentary Philosophical Preface 1. Nihilism, American Style 2. The Quest for Evil 3. The Negative Zone 4. Normal Nihilism as Comic 5. Romanticism and Nihilism 6. Defense against the Dark Arts 7. ""God Got Involved"" 8. Feels Like the Movies
"... an entertaining yet deeply insightful discussion of the relationship between nihilism and popular culture." -- Choice (2012, 49:1) "Hibbs knows Hollywood--from its self-indulgent nihilism to its capacity of art that nourishes the soul. Shows about Nothing offers both a perceptive analysis of the artistic merits of a wide range of film and TV shows and a diagnosis of their cultural significance." --William Peter Blatty, author of The Exorcist and, most recently, Dimiter "The best way to understand the influence of Nietzsche on popular culture." -- Boundless Webzine "Hibbs entertains and enlightens. I would never have believed that an insightful discussion of the subtle relationships between nihilism, romanticism, and liberal individualism could be so hard to put down. Shows about Nothing is a profound page-turner." --Thomas Kelly, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Princeton University "Hibbs has a resplendent knowledge of, and a chagrined appreciation for, popular culture." -- Weekly Standard "Truly astounding and enlightening. This book is so rich in ideas that before finishing it, one will likely have made plans to read it again." --Doug McManaman ... an entertaining yet deeply insightful discussion of the relationship between nihilism and popular culture. -- Choice The best way to understand the influence of Nietzsche on popular culture. -- Boundless Webzine