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IMO cynicism is not a problem on an individual level. It’s when the group has a lot of cynics is when we have a problem. Have you ever had to work with a group
by thrashh 5y ago
IMO cynicism is not a problem on an individual level.
It’s when the group has a lot of cynics is when we have a problem. Have you ever had to work with a group of “low energy” people? They’re not only just low energy — they’re energy vampires.
- makeitdouble 5y agoWouldn’t it also be applicable to a lot of intrinsically problematic situations ? For instance if you had to direct an “employees right” course in a strongly anti-union company, you’d have “low energy” people looking at you with dead eyes, and you’d be complaining they suck your energy too. But is it really a problem outside of the scope of your course ?
- iamacyborg 5y agoThe converse is true, too. It’s absolutely sapping working with folks who’ll just repeat bullshit and call you a cynic for trying to helpfully point out the flaws in their thinking.
- robjan 5y agoThere is a very real difference between constructive criticism and simply complaining. In most cases, complaining and shutting people down without suggesting any possible alternative or improvement just makes the situation even less unpleasant for everyone.
- iamacyborg 5y agoTrue, but that's why I specified "helpfully" pointing out flaws.
- math_denial 5y agoSometimes complaining means acknowledging that a problem exists even if you don't know the solution. Pointing out problems is valuable too. On the other and the people[1] who "opt out of cynicism" generally want to live in the "best of the possible world" where problems just disappear if don't look at them. [1] that I've met and interacted with, of course there's a sampling bias.
- oblio 5y agoPointing out a few core problems at a few key moments is valuable. Pointing out every problem, all the time, isn't. It's a very fine line and not everyone manages to stay on the right side.