Why the ‘nihilist penguin’ walking alone is drawing attention

A strange yet deeply symbolic video has recently sparked global discussion on social media. The footage shows a penguin leaving its group and the sea behind, walking alone in the opposite direction towards snow-covered mountains. There is no food, no companion and no certainty of survival. Netizens have dubbed the scene the ‘nihilist penguin’, while some are calling it the ‘rebel penguin’.

Many viewers see reflections of life’s meaninglessness, loneliness and exhaustion in the image. Others interpret it as a symbol of breaking away from social norms, pressure and rigid structures. This has raised the question of whether the penguin is truly following a philosophical or rebellious path, or whether the reality is far harsher.

The viral clip is not new. It is taken from the 2007 documentary Encounters at the End of the World, directed by renowned German filmmaker Werner Herzog. The documentary explores the natural world of Antarctica, the lives of researchers and the harsh realities of wildlife in extreme conditions.

The penguin shown in the video belongs to the Adélie species, which typically lives in groups near the sea and depends entirely on marine life for survival. Explaining the scene, Herzog described it as a ‘death march’, as the penguin was walking nearly 70 kilometres towards icy mountains where there is no food, no colony and virtually no chance of survival.

Penguins do not normally head towards mountains. Their food sources, breeding grounds and social lives are all centred around the sea. According to zoologists, such behaviour may result from disorientation, navigational failure, physical illness, weakness, environmental stress or the impacts of climate change.

The renewed virality of the video is linked not only to the imagery but also to the times. Many people today feel mentally exhausted, uncertain and overwhelmed by work, relationships, politics and economic pressure. In this context, the lone penguin has become a powerful symbol.

Some have even linked it to Rabindranath Tagore’s famous line, ‘If no one answers your call, then walk alone’. Others see it as a failed search for life’s meaning, a courageous break from societal norms, or simply a humorous meme.

In nihilist philosophy, the idea that life has no inherent meaning is central. Social media users jokingly suggest that the penguin walks alone because it has failed to find meaning in life. Beneath the humour, however, lie genuine human emotions such as depression, loneliness, uncertainty about the future and the desire to escape expectations.

Scientists stress that penguins do not think like humans and are not on a philosophical or rebellious journey. Such behaviour, they say, poses a serious threat to the penguin’s survival.

Political satire has also become part of the discussion surrounding the viral video. An AI-generated image was posted on the White House’s X account, formerly Twitter, showing the penguin walking alongside US President Donald Trump. The penguin is seen holding the US flag, while the Greenland flag appears to be flying over an icy landscape ahead. The post triggered widespread trolling and criticism online.

The backlash followed because penguins do not exist in Greenland. Penguins are flightless aquatic birds that primarily inhabit the Southern Hemisphere. They are found mainly in Antarctica and along the coastal regions of South America, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Although unable to fly, penguins are highly skilled swimmers, with their wings evolved into strong, flipper-like limbs that allow them to move swiftly underwater and dive deep into the sea.

Penguins are covered with dense feathers and a thick layer of fat that protect them from extreme cold. Emperor penguins, in particular, can survive temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. To conserve heat, they often stand close together in groups, a behaviour known as huddling. Their distinctive black-and-white colouring serves as a defence mechanism against predators, blending with the dark ocean depths when viewed from above and with the bright sky when seen from below.

Penguins mainly feed on fish, squid and krill. Many species are monogamous and remain with the same partner for life. In the case of emperor penguins, the male incubates the egg, an exceptional example in the animal kingdom. However, climate change and melting ice are now putting many penguin species at risk, raising serious concerns for global biodiversity.