Why is it so trendy to be cynical?

[Flannel Jesus]

I like how, when iambiguous is confronted with his own posting style, he calls it a wall of words. He's only a small step away from self awareness.

[iambiguous]

I like how, when iambiguous is confronted with his own posting style, he calls it a wall of words. He's only a small step away from self awareness.

No, cynically.

[Impenitent]

trendy to be cynical?

I doubt it...

-Imp

[Alexis Jacobi]

Next up ….

Ah, love, let us be true
To one another ! for the world, which seems
To lie before us like a land of dreams,
So various, so beautiful, so new,
Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,
Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain …

Mathew Arnold (1867)

One disappointment followed another, it seems, as the ages progress. How strengthening it might have been if he could actually have believed in love and his love.

Still, in an untrustworthy world, human solidarity is still the most sustaining possibility.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

1] believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
2] concerned only with one's own interests and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them.

Odd that it would have two completely different meanings without actually being a homonym. Meaning 1 is an ability to recognise those who are meaning 2. That's awkward.
Is someone a 'cynic' if they recognise that wars are motivated by money and power and never altruism?

How about this: Decide which meaning is the least "woke" and go with that one.

I 'go' with facts, not whatever suits me. It's sad that you are incapable of grasping that simple truth.

[iambiguous]

1] believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
2] concerned only with one's own interests and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them.

Odd that it would have two completely different meanings without actually being a homonym. Meaning 1 is an ability to recognise those who are meaning 2. That's awkward.
Is someone a 'cynic' if they recognise that wars are motivated by money and power and never altruism?

How about this: Decide which meaning is the least "woke" and go with that one.

I 'go' with facts, not whatever suits me. It's sad that you are incapable of grasping that simple truth.

In other words, being cynical, your facts. Not the fake facts that woke morons, idiots and/or imbeciles -- those I call pinheads by the way -- pummel us with.

You know, if pummel isn't being too cynical.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

How about this: Decide which meaning is the least "woke" and go with that one.

I 'go' with facts, not whatever suits me. It's sad that you are incapable of grasping that simple truth.

In other words, being cynical, your facts. Not the fake facts that woke morons, idiots and/or imbeciles -- those I call pinheads by the way -- pummel us with.

You know, if pummel isn't being too cynical.

What are you even on about? I'm going with the definitions that were posted on here. If you want to call yourself an imbecile then feel free. You could always say what you 'think' cynical means.

[Alexis Jacobi]

Sonya & Astroff

I wouldn’t describe Chekhov as a cynic but perhaps as a very tired and exasperated modern realist (?) However his heart remained in a “good” place, whatever that might mean (in our cynical age).

What can we do, uncle?

[vegetariantaxidermy]

Is it 'cynical' to say that giant corporations like Target aren't hanging 'pride flags' all over their stores out of 'kindness' but out of a cynical marketing ploy? Is it 'cynical' to say that giant corporations are only interested in profit and are not 'kind' entities but are 'hives' or termite hills, only interested in the well-being of one thing--the investor? Is it 'cynical' to say that charities are big business entities like any other, interested only in promoting their 'brand'? How can a huge corporation 'care' about anyone or be 'kind'? That's not even possible.

[iambiguous]

I 'go' with facts, not whatever suits me. It's sad that you are incapable of grasping that simple truth.

In other words, being cynical, your facts. Not the fake facts that woke morons, idiots and/or imbeciles -- those I call pinheads by the way -- pummel us with.

You know, if pummel isn't being too cynical.

What are you even on about? I'm going with the definitions that were posted on here. If you want to call yourself an imbecile then feel free. You could always say what you 'think' cynical means.

No, apparently, pummel is not being too cynical.

By definition:

Pummel: "POUND, BEAT"

Though here with words rather than fists.

On the other hand, being cynical, I don't doubt that a few arrogant, autocratic "my way or the highway" bullies here would prefer that it be with fists.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

In other words, being cynical, your facts. Not the fake facts that woke morons, idiots and/or imbeciles -- those I call pinheads by the way -- pummel us with.

You know, if pummel isn't being too cynical.

What are you even on about? I'm going with the definitions that were posted on here. If you want to call yourself an imbecile then feel free. You could always say what you 'think' cynical means.

No, apparently, pummel is not being too cynical.

By definition:

Pummel: "POUND, BEAT"

Though here with words rather than fists.

On the other hand, being cynical, I don't doubt that a few arrogant, autocratic "my way or the highway" bullies here would prefer that it be with fists.

And your 'point' is? Is that cowardice or just really bad writing? I have no clue what exactly you are trying to say.

[Maia]

Let's start with the dictionary:

Cynical:

1] believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
2] concerned only with one's own interests and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them.

Now, in today's world, is it or is it not reasonable to be cynical? Well, that depends of course on how your own life has unfolded. And on your current set of circumstances. For some, cynicism makes perfect sense. For others it does not. The part I root existentially in dasein.

One thing, however, seems abundantly clear to some of us: capitalism and cynicism go hand in hand.

As I noted on another thread:

You can see [cynicism] play out in the reality TV program Big Brother. It's the only program of this sort that I have ever watched. It's just a fascinating glimpse into the reality of pop culture and capitalism.

For those unfamiliar with it...

A bunch of men and women -- mostly young and attractive of course -- get together in a house and compete for the grand prize...750,000 dollars. Each week they vote someone out. At the same time however they often form these really close relationships, friendships. Some even become lovers. But: in order to win the money, they basically have to continually lie to and to deceive each other...stab each other in the back over and over again. Why? Because in the end it is always about the money!!

They have a rendition of it where you are as well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Broth ... TV_series)

Now, given my own numerous exchanges with you, I would venture to speculate as follows: the reason you are not cynical is because you have managed to acquire an intuitive, spiritual "intrinsic self". You "just know" deep down inside you that something is either right or wrong, good or bad, true or false. Then the manner in which, in turn, this is conveyed to you by a Goddess.

Something that [to me] seems embodied profoundly by you, in you, for you. But something that cynics of my ilk don't experience at all. My cynicism is derived from moral nihilism. A frame of mind that, given the life that I've led and the philosophers that I have read, has predisposed me to think as I do. Here and now.

Though, sure, given new experiences, relationships and access to information and knowledge, that might all change. Again, here and now, however, I don't possess [as you do] an intuitive, spiritual Self to anchor my identity to psychologically.

I think you tend to get out of life what you put into it, and that includes one's attitude to things. It's really not all that difficult to be happy.

[Maia]

I imagine that none of these hardened cynics even realise that they're following a cultural fashion, each trying to outdo everyone else in sneering at everything around them.

I'm sure there are people like this, catching the, or 'a', zeitgeist.
But I am sure many cynics have become cynics due to experiences they've had and seen others have, perhaps with some knowledge of systemic problems thrown in. Toss in some in-built temperment and you've got a cynic.

Does it really make them feel any happier or fulfilled?

It might prevent more pain.

Note: I'm not saying cynicism is right. More like, I think it's more complicated than this.

It's not just following a fad, at least for many, and it's not just a stupid coping strategy. It has benefits. And for some, given their life situations, it might even be a net plus.

It seems like a failure of imagination. There are many things wrong with society, but we can control our own responses.

[Alexis Jacobi]

It is true that cynicism is rampant. But let’s be honest, insightful and realistic: people strive for genuineness even if it is represented in dramatic portrayal out of their own reach.

Strange as it is, it look many many generations and even centuries to arrive at, or create, the sort of interpersonal space where these dramatic portrayals take place.

I’m not kidding: to have arrived at an inner platform where you can even see another person is simply incredible.

[iambiguous]

What are you even on about? I'm going with the definitions that were posted on here. If you want to call yourself an imbecile then feel free. You could always say what you 'think' cynical means.

No, apparently, pummel is not being too cynical.

By definition:

Pummel: "POUND, BEAT"

Though here with words rather than fists.

On the other hand, being cynical, I don't doubt that a few arrogant, autocratic "my way or the highway" bullies here would prefer that it be with fists.

And your 'point' is? Is that cowardice or just really bad writing? I have no clue what exactly you are trying to say.

Wake the fuck up and pick one:

1] too cynical
2] not cynical enough
3] precisely as cynical as one should be when another is making a fool of them



a cynical wink let's call it