History
Whitepill (ø-pill or Hedonic Null-Set) is a term that emerged from online discussions in the mid-2010s and represents a worldview based on accepting the realities of one’s situation while actively pursuing personal improvement. The term began to circulate around 2017 in online forums where members of incel and related communities discussed their struggles with modern social dynamics. Early discussions appeared on websites such as incels.is , where several threads outlined the basic ideas of the whitepill . In these early posts, contributors argued that while the blackpill often led to despair and resignation, the whitepill offered a way to overcome life’s challenges by accepting them and using that acceptance as a basis for self-improvement.
One of the early voices in these discussions was a user known as SergeantIncel . His contributions helped shape the initial framework by detailing how accepting one’s circumstances could lead to a more pragmatic and hopeful approach to life. However, over time the focus shifted from individual authorship to a broader conversation about how anyone could take control of their destiny through self-discipline, personal responsibility, and realistic expectations. SergeantIncel first established the term’s formal definition and its relation to other “pills ” in three public threads (September 10, September 14, and December 10, 2017) which led to the creation of Whitepill.org—a blog that deeply explored the concept—and after its shutdown, to the emergence of its successor Elysian Fields under Tabula Rasa, Within the forum and PSL, the prominent figure SergeantAutist—often referred to as SergeantSchizo, SergeantAspie, and other epithets—contributed to refining SergeantIncel ’s visualizations.
Although no mainstream philosopher has directly addressed the whitepill , its ideas share similarities with earlier philosophical traditions. Elements of stoicism —such as the emphasis on accepting what cannot be changed and focusing on one’s internal responses—can be seen in whitepill thought. Likewise, some of the ideas parallel existential discussions on creating personal meaning despite an indifferent world. These influences, however, are more implicit, and the whitepill remains largely a product of contemporary online culture rather than a direct outgrowth of any single philosophical work. Over time, whitepill has evolved into a broader cultural reference point, representing a practical approach to personal betterment. It is understood as a call to engage with life realistically, to accept the inherent challenges, and to work steadily towards improvement rather than succumbing to despair.