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"Nothing" is a peculiar word, a zero-signifier that contains a wealth of meaning within its very emptiness. It can be a synonym for the void, a placeholder for the unexpressed, or a smokescreen for the unsayable. Yet its usage in literature and media has demonstrated an intriguing evolution, revealing shifts in societal perceptions and discourses. Its omnipresence in different genres and forms of storytelling—from Shakespearean plays to contemporary movies—mirrors our fundamental grappling with concepts of existence, value, and absence.

Early Use in Literature

The notion of 'nothing' has been a prominent concept since the inception of literature. Ancient Greek philosophers like Parmenides tackled 'nothing' as a metaphysical concept, arguing that 'nothing' cannot exist because to speak of 'nothing' gives it a form of existence. This philosophical paradox later infiltrated Greek tragedies, where characters often faced the existential crisis of becoming 'nothing.'

The word 'nothing' took center stage in the Middle Ages and Renaissance literature, where it was used symbolically and metaphorically. In Shakespeare's plays, 'nothing' often plays a significant role. For example, in "King Lear," 'nothing' denotes Lear's failure to understand his daughters' love. Similarly, "Much Ado About Nothing" uses 'nothing' to refer to the 'noting' or 'overhearing' that triggers the plot's misunderstandings, demonstrating the power of 'nothing' to influence events significantly.

 

19th and 20th Century Literature

As literature transitioned into the 19th and 20th centuries, 'nothing' began to reflect social changes and existentialist philosophies. The modernist movement, marked by disillusionment and uncertainty, used 'nothing' to express the bleakness of life. For example, in T.S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men," 'nothing' is the terrifyingly uncertain space between life and death.

Or consider Jean-Paul Sartre who published his seminal existentialist work, Being and Nothingness in which he asserts that at the root of our being there is nothingness. 

In the postmodern era, 'nothing' evolved further, frequently symbolizing the collapse of traditional structures and values. Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" exemplifies this, where 'nothing' happens twice, underscoring the play's themes of insignificance and existential despair. Does the opening line of Beckett's Waiting for Godot, nothing to be done, seems rather more of a closure? After all, nothing significant happens and if there is nothing to be done, then maybe one should do nothing. To read more, try this article, Much Ado About Nothing (Waiting for Godot) that is about Beckett's play Waiting for Godot, but also not so slyly references Shakespeare's play.

 

Media Interpretations

'Nothing' permeates the modern media landscape, serving various purposes. In films and TV shows, it can reveal characters' internal struggles or reflect societal attitudes.

Consider the 2003 comedy NOTHING where two friends, a corporate worker (David Hewlett) and a travel agent (Andrew Miller) find themselves in an environment surrounded by blankness. The critics didn't love it to say the least with a 40% on RottenTomatoes Tomatometer. However thr reviwer for IMDB says:
I haven't written a review on IMDb for the longest time, however, I felt myself compelled to write this! When looking up this movie I found one particular review which urged people NOT to see this film. Do not pay any attention to this ignorant person! NOTHING is a fantastic film, full of laughs and above all... imagination! Aren't you sick and tired of being force fed the same old cycle of bubble-gum trash movies? Sometimes a film like NOTHING comes along and gives you something you have never seen before. I don't even care if you dislike (even hate) the movie, but no one has a right to discredit the film. IMDb has a monumental impact on reputations and no negative review should discredit the film like that. Just say you hate it and why you hate it... but don't try to tell people that they shouldn't watch it. We have minds of our own and will make up our own minds thank you.
If my judgment is any good, I'd say that more people will enjoy this movie as opposed to those who hate it.
Treat your mind to a bit of eye-candy! See NOTHING!

Another, not quite literal as an example is found in the film "Fight Club," 'nothing' represents the protagonist's emotional numbness and disillusionment with consumer culture.

And it appears a number of movie comedies as well as thrillers and documentaries love to make use of the word NOTHING in their titles:
Take note of this very popular name for movies is Nothing But the Truth.
Nothing But the Truth 1941 starring Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard and Edward Arnold
Nothing But the Truth 1995 starring Patricia Wettig, Ken Olin, Tia Carrere
Nothing But the Truth 1998 a documentery by filmmaker Mark Steven Shepherd that examines the media and spectator circus assembled at the O.J. Simpson trial. Nothing But the Truth 2008 starring Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Angela Bassett
Nothing But the Truth 2009 starring John Kani, Rosie Motene, Motshabi Tyelele

Other films in which the word NOTHING appears in the title include:
Nothing Sacred a 1937 film, starring Fredric March as the reporter and Carole Lombard as the heroine of this deftly layered screwball comedy with biting cynicism.
Nothing But Trouble, a 1991 comedy with Demi Moore, CHevy Chase, John Candy & Dan Aykroyd about a businessman and his friends are captured by a sadistic judge and his equally odd family in a bizarre mansion in the backwoods. Nothing to Lose is a 1997 American buddy action comedy film starring Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence.
2022 film, NOTHING, a Danish coming-of-age horror /thriller in which all the key characters are 8th graders.

Moreover, 'nothing' has found a unique place in science fiction and fantasy genres, where it often denotes the unknowable or the threatening void. This is seen in movies like "The NeverEnding Story," where 'The Nothing' is a force of destruction erasing the world of Fantasia.

In TV comedy, 'nothing' can take on a meta-referential and paradoxical nature. An excellent example is the sitcom "Seinfeld," often described as a "show about nothing," which used the concept of 'nothing' to break away from the traditional sitcom formula that relies on significant events to drive the plot.

Contemporary Usage

In contemporary usage, 'nothing' continues to be an indispensable part of literary and media discourse. However, there is a noticeable trend towards irony and reclamation of 'nothing.' In the era of meme culture and post-irony, 'nothing' often becomes something absurd, yet meaningful—a reflection of modern life's paradoxes. The phrase "Nothing matters," for instance, can simultaneously express existential despair and a liberating sense of perspective.

 

Current Digital Discourse

In the digital age, 'nothing' has taken on fresh nuances. As conversations move onto social media platforms, the word 'nothing' is used in manifold ways, often bearing implications that rely on context, tone, and shared understandings within digital communities. In online spaces where brevity is prized, a simple response like "nothing" can convey a myriad of meanings: deflection, avoidance, humor, or an assertion of the unspeakable.

Additionally, 'nothing' has gained prominence as a marketing tool in the digital economy. For example, companies might advertise a new product as "like nothing you've seen before," employing 'nothing' to create a sense of intrigue and novelty.

Similarly, the phrase "from nothing to something" is often used in success narratives to emphasize dramatic transformations, embodying the aspirational ethos of the digital age.

 

'Nothing' in Popular Music

Popular music offers another lens to view the evolution of 'nothing.' Song lyrics often use 'nothing' to express feelings of loss, longing, or existential angst. From  the 1993 CD of Whitney Houston – "I Have Nothing": Here, "nothing" is used to indicate a state of vulnerability and fear of losing a loved one: "Don't make me close one more door / I don't wanna hurt anymore / Stay in my arms if you dare / Or must I imagine you there / Don't walk away from me / I have nothing, nothing, nothing / If I don't have you."

In other instances, 'nothing' serves as a declaration of independence or dismissal, as in the Rolling Stones' "I Ain't Superstitious" (But when I pass a graveyard, I ain't scared of nothing). Here, 'nothing' is a negation of fear, a proclamation of resilience and fearlessness.

    Metallica – "Nothing Else Matters": This classic Metallica song uses the word "nothing" in the context of disregarding everything else when you have something that truly matters to you: "Never opened myself this way / Life is ours, we live it our way / All these words I don't just say / And nothing else matters."

    Alicia Keys – "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down": The song's chorus uses "nothing" to convey the sense of infinite possibilities in New York: "Concrete jungle where dreams are made of / There's nothing you can't do / Now you're in New York!"

    The Script – "Nothing": The Script's song "Nothing" uses the word in the context of feeling like nothing after a breakup.

 

Social and Political NOTHING Themes

Moreover, the word 'nothing' has been used to reflect social and political themes, and have often depicted the emptiness or 'nothing' left behind in the wake of violence and war.

See this 2022 Newsweek headline Russia Arrests Multiple People for Holding Up Blank Signs. Anti-war protesters in Russia are being detained by police for holding up blank posters as part of demonstrations protesting against President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Police in Nizhny Novgorod arrested a demonstrator today for protesting with a blank sign. Welcome to Russia in 2022.

Final Thoughts

The evolution of 'nothing' across literature, media, digital spaces, and popular music underlines its complexity and versatility. As a device, it echoes the human condition's multifaceted dimensions, evoking a range of emotions and ideas, from emptiness and nihilism to defiance and potential. The word 'nothing'—in its many forms—encapsulates our shared experiences and fears, hopes and despair, adding depth to narratives across various platforms. Its continued use and evolution hold a mirror up to society, revealing our collective engagement with life's many 'nothings' and 'somethings.'

 

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