I don't think that people accept the fact that life doesn't make sense. I think it makes people terribly uncomfortable. It seems like religion and myth were invented against that, trying to make sense out of it.

In this quote, David Lynch, the renowned filmmaker, explores the discomfort many people feel when faced with the absurdity of life. He suggests that, at its core, life doesn’t inherently make sense, and this lack of meaning can be deeply unsettling for individuals. Rather than accepting the randomness or chaos of existence, people often seek ways to impose structure or understanding on it, whether through religion, myth, or other belief systems.

Lynch’s observation points to how humans naturally resist uncertainty and the unpredictable nature of existence. In an effort to cope with the overwhelming confusion of life, society has created various religious and mythological systems that offer explanations and a sense of control. These systems, according to Lynch, were invented to make the world feel more manageable and less frightening, essentially providing a framework to explain what would otherwise seem like chaos.

The origin of this quote is rooted in Lynch’s broader philosophy, which is often expressed through his artistic work, particularly his films like Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks. Known for exploring the darker, more surreal aspects of life, Lynch's films often reflect the same themes of mystery, confusion, and the search for meaning in an incomprehensible world. His personal views on life align with this tendency to explore the limits of human understanding and the tension between reality and the unseen.

Ultimately, Lynch is suggesting that religion and myth function as human inventions to counteract the inherent discomfort of an unexplainable existence. By creating stories or doctrines that offer certainty and purpose, people try to find comfort in a world that, by its very nature, resists easy explanation or meaning.