Are you a cynic?

[Arkhangelsk]

A cynic by definition is somebody who has a generally negative and pessimistic view on the world. Are you a cynic? I am. I believe that the world is going to hell and that stupid people are increasing scarily much. There is hope, but it's so small and soon we will be crushed by our own faults and wondering why. And to that, I laugh. We are so afraid of everything, and we don't even know what to do. And we even fear the wrong things.

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

 

[Pocket Apocalypse]

Just to kick the thread off with some conflict, I'm not a cynic, I'm a raging optimist. I look at human history, and I gotta say, things have generally got better rather than worse. Whatever the current threat to us all is, we've survived all the others that we thought would wipe us out (okay, we've never faced anything like severe climate change, and that one does worry me, but everything else? Peanuts), and average quality of life (and yes, I do mean globally) is better now than it's ever been. I think we're on the up, not the down.

 

[Zac_Dai]

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

Proof?

 

[Radeonx]

Yes. Most of my views are negative, and the ones that aren't are sheer indifference. Unless you count sarcastic happiness. Which is still negativity.

 

[Salmaras]

Yes i am a cynic, because the world is a negative place

 

[Emphraim]

Yes, I'm a cynic. But I think that's helped me. Since I always think everything will turn out for the worst, I study extra hard for all my tests since I think I'll get a bad grade. So far, it's been a pretty good studying plan.

Just to kick the thread off with some conflict, I'm not a cynic, I'm a raging optimist. I look at human history, and I gotta say, things have generally got better rather than worse. Whatever the current threat to us all is, we've survived all the others that we thought would wipe us out (okay, we've never faced anything like severe climate change, and that one does worry me, but everything else? Peanuts), and average quality of life (and yes, I do mean globally) is better now than it's ever been. I think we're on the up, not the down.

I would agree with you, but i read Sankaku Complex daily, and the stories there make me laugh and cry on the inside at humanity's stupidity at the same time.

 

[JoshasorousRex]

No not really. I'm a mostly indifferent sort of guy so yeah

 

[DrunkWithPower]

I'm leaning towards Nihilism, "I BELIEVE IN NOSHING!"

 

[A random person]

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

 

[Ursus Astrorum]

I love the world. I love its land, its seas, its skies. I love advancement and technological wonders, ethics and morality, psychology, philosophy, and a greater part of the things that make humans human.

But this whole expansionist thing we've got going? Throwing down enough concrete to bury a grey whale mob-style every few years or so for the sake of keeping our already grossly disproportionate population supplied? Yeah, I'm not a fan of that.

Seriously, where's Adam Monroe when you need him?

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

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.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

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

Proof?

No proof, just something I believe. I just get so aggravated by the news and such. It's always the same thing, "Murder, death, rape, we're all gonna die!" And there's always the news where you see all these horrible people. I know they don't account for the majority, but it's jsut so depressing. I guess I tend to focus on the bad side many times.

 

[wordsmith]

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.

Doesn't "belief" mean it doesn't have to be based on proof?

And weirdly, I'm about half way. I think the whole world will contract swine flu, millions will die and I don't care. If people die, people die. If I die, it's my time to go, I'll take the dice as they fall.

 

[Mikela]

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.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Yes. The sky is always falling until proven otherwise. I wish I were more optimist though.

 

[A random person]

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 love the world. I love its land, its seas, its skies. I love advancement and technological wonders, ethics and morality, psychology, philosophy, and a greater part of the things that make humans human.

But this whole expansionist thing we've got going? Throwing down enough concrete to bury a grey whale mob-style every few years or so for the sake of keeping our already grossly disproportionate population supplied? Yeah, I'm not a fan of that.

Seriously, where's Adam Monroe when you need him?

Gentlemen, I present to you the solution to our urbanization problem:

Spoiler: Floating continents.

 

[lostclause]

'People ask me, Bill, are you an optimist? I say, I hope so.'
Sorry, couldn't resist that.
Leaning towards the cynical myself but I don't begrudge people their optimism. No need to bring them down unless they're being unrealistic.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

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

Thank you, that was just what I was thinking of.

Doesn't "belief" mean it doesn't have to be based on proof?

Still, there's got to be some chain of events, happening or evidence that triggers such a belief. We become cynics, we aren't born cynics.

 

[Spicy meatball]

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.