Between 'digging' and 'treasure': the meaning of human existence

The picture book "Sam and Dave Dig a Hole" by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen delves into the philosophical concept of human existence, using the act of digging as a central metaphor. The story follows Sam and Dave, who are determined to find "something spectacular" by digging. However, they consistently overlook a large, obvious jewel, illustrating the common human experience of "wasted effort."

Even a dog accompanying them seems aware of the jewel's location but shows no interest, perhaps deeming it worthless. Sam and Dave eventually give up, exhausted, and fall through the earth, returning to their starting point. Their final declaration, "That was spectacular," suggests that the value wasn't in finding a treasure to possess, but in the immersive experience of the search itself.

The book visually reinforces this idea: the text's layout mirrors the digging, flowing downwards as the characters descend. This suggests that meaning is not solely derived from reaching a destination but from the journey taken. The narrative implies that every action, even seemingly fruitless digging, subtly alters one's world.

Drawing parallels to Erich Fromm's philosophy, the article contrasts "having" with "being." While Sam and Dave don't "possess" the jewel, they find joy in "being" through the act of digging. The piece concludes by encouraging readers to embrace their own "spectacular digging," regardless of whether it leads to tangible possessions, emphasizing the inherent value in the effort and shared experience.