American composer and multi-instrumentalist John Zorn is well-known for his contributions to the jazz and avant-garde music genres. He is well-known for his powerful and frequently discordant songs, which convey a deep understanding of happiness and his distinct outlook on both life and the arts.

Zorn's claim that happiness is meaningless implies that, in his experience, real fulfillment and purpose come from overcoming obstacles and persevering through adversity rather than pursuing comfort and joy all the time. According to him, the idea of eternal happiness is better suited for people who have not yet faced major challenges or hardships in their lives, like young professionals (often referred to as yuppies) who are succeeding in their early careers or children.

Think of life as a huge ocean, with tumultuous waves signifying times of difficulty and challenge and calm waters representing times of ease and contentment. Zorn's perspective is comparable to navigating these erratic waters in this metaphor, enduring the choppy moments to gain depth and resilience. Although the peaceful surface may provide momentary joy, it does not promote development or significant life experiences.

Zorn challenges people to see the worth in their hardships by rejecting happiness as a static state and arguing that real creativity and wisdom come from overcoming life's obstacles rather than pursuing unending bliss. This viewpoint appeals to people who think that facing hardship and uncertainty fosters artistic expression and personal growth.