Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff Part One: Russian Nihilists: The Gender-bending Subculture that Blew Up the Tsar
Jun 6, 2022
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Karakazov's Assassination Attempt
- In 1866, Dmitri Karakazov, a chronically ill, partially deaf minor noble, attempted to assassinate Tsar Alexander II.
- He missed, was captured, and hanged after answering the Tsar's question of "What do you want?" with "Nothing."
Defining Nihilism
- Nihilism's core tenet was rejecting existing societal structures, not necessarily believing in nothingness.
- It encompassed political and social norms, religion, gender relations, and even fashion.
Two Phases of Nihilism
- Aragorn's distinction between foundational and revolutionary nihilism clarifies the movement's evolution.
- Revolutionary nihilism intensified the rejection of the existing order while dropping some subcultural elements.