Are you a cynic?

[Arkhangelsk]

I believe that the world is going to hell and that stupid people are increasing scarily much.

Proof?

Yeah, what he said. There's nothing I hate more than the "This world is going to hell fast" camp.

Spoiler: I believe XKCD has something to say on the matter.

I'm not like that in that kind of way. I don't believe that idiots will rule the world, I just think that one is too much. And many idiots represent the global political system. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Insanum]

Im a relatively happy cynic. I can be hyped up, but i can also be skeptical of things that seem obvious.

 

[Proteus214]

I'd like to say that I am, but the happy pills won't let me

 

[A random person]

I used to be a cynic..when the world was a happy, brighter place.

Then being a cynic became a "cool" thing and it turned into a trend. Once 10 yr olds began with their dreary cynical remarks I chose to change my outlook for the better.

Now I am a cynic hunter, mass murdering cynical people with my feral wolves as I plague the streets, beating the shit out of those with smartarse comments until they realize that there is happiness in the world...somewhere.

That's fantastic!. There really are too many people that are cynical for no mere reason other than they think it's cool.

Agreed. Also, I'm bothered by the notion that if you're at all optimistic, you're deluded, but if you're cynical, you're seeing the truth, even if your cynicism is seeing the world as more threatening than it is. I've been in at least argument with someone who used that rhetoric for what it's worth.

 

[Phyroxis]

Not much anymore.. Lifes too short to be pissed off and depressed. Not to mention, people like you when you're cheery.

 

[Spicy meatball]

snip

I am neither. I don't tend to view the world with a preset focus, rather I chose to interpret things with all the information available and not make pre-judgmental decisions. Having an optimistic or pessimistic view point serves little purpose IMO, there are too many variables strewn across daily events to make having a fixed view on the world effective.

I prefer the indifferent view point.

 

[RedDiablo]

I am probably the biggest cynic in my school, entire family tree and friends. And I'm proud of it. It's better seeing the world as half empty, so you're either proven right, or surprised from the end.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I believe in cautious optimism: it's the safety of cynicism, the happiness of optimism, and more intelligent than either one exclusively.

Amen.

I like to feign cynicism at times, but I usually wind up more optimistic than I expect. What comes will come, and we'll manage, somehow.

 

[Brnin8]

I'm a bit cynical of the people as I feel they can be more often than not quite bizarre and stupid but I know there will always be things that are good and things that are bad.

 

[WayOutThere]

Sorry, meant to include a poll, but the thread making got fucked up. Can't make one now, that'd be a double thread.

That happened to me too. Do you have any idea why it happened?

 

[Fr331anc3r]

A Cynic, by definition "Of or related to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness; skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others; bitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking; showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions ..." Most cynics are not pessimistic or even generally negative, and in fact, I would consider myself a realist; and to that affect, believe that realism bares many more cynical children than pessimism ever could.

A cynic sees the world for what it is, neither the rose coloured glasses of optimism or pessimism are worn, and this hardens us to the various ways of the world.

I, as a cynic, would even reject parts of this definition, because I do not see selfishness as a bad thing (see Ayn Rands "Virtues of Selfishness"). I also believe that there is good in all people, but how much that is remains to be seen, and is usually covered up by normal human nature/emotions/motives.

I am a cynic, a realist, and laugh in the face of failure, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[cthulhu257]

I'm mostly just a nihilist.

 

[SpacePyjamas]

Im a bit of a Cynic, but i think its selective, like only on certain subjects, haha Not too bad i guesse...

 

[Arcane Azmadi]

I'm am cynical beyond belief. And I hate you and all of mankind. I believe when the aliens eventually find us they'll be so disgusted by our evil they'll wipe us out in an idealistic crusade and it'll fucking serve us right.

 

[AvsJoe]

I'm a cynic that's pretending to be an optimist that's pretending to be a cynic, if you can understand that. So I'd vote yes had this thread included a poll.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Sorry, meant to include a poll, but the thread making got fucked up. Can't make one now, that'd be a double thread.

That happened to me too. Do you have any idea why it happened?

Something messed up, must have refreshed or something, cause the bar wasn't checked when the poll showed, and vice versa.

 

[DAMG]

The way you described cynic is very broad; it could simply imply being a pessimist. More specifically, a cynic doesn't believe that people act out of pure kindness: in order for someone to act on anything, there must be a benefit of some sort. So, most cynics are wary of others' actions. Incidentally, the philosophy of it involves ridding oneself of such selfish ways.

My English teacher called me a cynic once; this is the same teacher that called my friend "pendantic," so I don't know how credible she is.

 

[Conveant0]

"I believe there's some good in this world Mr Frodo, and it's worth fighting for"
...
In truth, I think that humanity as it stands is a disgrace; we find ourselves with the ability to shape this world and the surrounding space, yet we are still unable to aim for common goals and agree that petty disputes don't count for shit.
As it stands, as I said, I'd believe under new ruling and government, it could be improved dramatically within the matter of a decade. However, with the mess we have at the moment, I don't believe those in current power want to give it up for "the common good" when the get a good deal from it.

 

[DogofRaw]

Yes. Ahh the cesspoll that is existance