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I am convinced that cynicism is a good thing. Often, the people who are not cynical or angry are avoiding the real problems. Or they don't care, are just hangin

I am convinced that cynicism is a good thing. Often, the people who are not cynical or angry are avoiding the real problems. Or they don't care, are just hanging around collecting a paycheck, etc. You imply that being cynical has become "the norm," but there's always more friction involved in being cynical. Happy bullshitters never get in trouble.

barrysteve 3y ago
There's truth in grief too. But it's more fun, IF both grief and cynicism are dead. I'd going to put my foot forward and work in removing every concept in my life that causes grief or cynicism. The truth is seeing grief and cynicism for what they are, and stepping away from them. The 'other way' is a step backwards.
syncbehind 3y ago
>Often, the people who are not cynical or angry are avoiding the real problems. Or they don't care, are just hanging around collecting a paycheck, etc. I vehemently disagree with every thought presented in this comment. These sentiments seem to come from a very jaded space. To think that the only people who are not cynical / angry are those that are avoiding the "real problems" (in what/ whose definition?). In my experience, the happiest people are those who have acknowledged these problems. If they have the opportunity (and power) to act on resolutions they do so and if not, they came to peace with that reality. It certainly is possible to process the same things as you and engage with these so called real problems without turning into a cynic. Perhaps these "happy bullshitters" are more adept at acknowledging these problems and their ability to act on it.
- JoeyBananas 3y ago
  > To think that the only people who are not cynical / angry are those that are avoiding the "real problems" (in what/ whose definition?). That's not my point. I am saying that in a business environment, when there's one person in a group that is pissed, disagreeing, or somehow pissing on the happy-go-lucky parade, that person is usually right. Why? Beause pissing on the parade is always more risky and difficult than taking the path of least resistance (which is just shutting up and accepting the status quo.) So, they wouldn't be doing it unless they really had to.
  - syncbehind 3y ago
    You can disagree without being angry or cynical. That you think you need to be cynical, pissed, or "pissing on the happy-go-lucky-parade" to disagree and engage with real problems is the notion I hold issue with. >So, they wouldn't be doing it unless they really had to. I can think of a handful of reasons why they may do so. Being a contrarian is not hard. It certainly does not mean that the person being a contrarian is right (or right to do so, especially if the methods is being an insufferable colleague).
aarondf 3y ago
This is a sincere question: is your life, specifically, better because you're cynical and angry? I'm not talking about "the industry" in an abstract sense, but on a personal level are you happy?
- JoeyBananas 3y ago
  No, my life is definitely not better due to cynicism. I'd be happier if I never walked into an office ever again or debated anyone online, and just lived in happy ignorance. Yet, I know I will continue to do these things.
  - aarondf 3y ago
    Man. I'm sorry to hear that, truly
- hotpotamus 3y ago
  I think I'd be happy in life if I believed in god and thought I was going to some happy place after I die and that any of this meant anything at the end of the day. I can't will myself to believe in Christianity or Scientology or Islam or Judaism however. Does that make me cynical?
  - syncbehind 3y ago
    There's a clear difference between skepticism and cynicism. I don't think one needs to be a cynic to be skeptical about outlandish or otherwise scientifically unproven claims (i.e. religion). If we are to look at the greek roots/ schools of thought. Cynics were engaged in finding fault in everything whereas Skeptics were thought to doubt claims (even those generally held true) and requiring substantial proof. I don't know enough about your world view or anything, but you don't sound like a cynic. Read more here: https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/skepticism-cynicism.php https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/skepticism-cynicism.php
fasterik 3y ago
I disagree. First, we need to separate anger and cynicism. Anger is an emotional response which is sometimes useful for motivating action, but I think the vast majority of anger in the world is unjustified and causes unnecessary suffering. Almost all the time, it is better not to respond with anger and instead take a rational, impartial approach to solving problems. Cynicism is more of a general attitude toward other people -- being distrustful of everyone's motives and assuming they are motivated solely by greed and self-interest. Granted, sometimes people's motives are truly bad. But again, I think the vast majority of cynicism is toxic and poisons our ability to see the good in people. Most people believe that they are doing the right thing. What we really need is to look at the systems and incentives that cause them to behave the way that they do.
over_bridge 3y ago
Being cynical about everything is intellectual laziness. It feels like you are being smart and critical but blindly rejecting and doubting everything is no different from blindly accepting or believing everything. Instead of observing each new idea and evaluating it on its merits, you've already determined what your response will be. It's a biased filter on everything you see. We should aim to be openminded but also willing to reject things that don't make sense (looking at you, NFT bros)

barrysteve 3y ago

There's truth in grief too. But it's more fun, IF both grief and cynicism are dead. I'd going to put my foot forward and work in removing every concept in my life that causes grief or cynicism. The truth is seeing grief and cynicism for what they are, and stepping away from them. The 'other way' is a step backwards.

syncbehind 3y ago

>Often, the people who are not cynical or angry are avoiding the real problems. Or they don't care, are just hanging around collecting a paycheck, etc. I vehemently disagree with every thought presented in this comment. These sentiments seem to come from a very jaded space. To think that the only people who are not cynical / angry are those that are avoiding the "real problems" (in what/ whose definition?). In my experience, the happiest people are those who have acknowledged these problems. If they have the opportunity (and power) to act on resolutions they do so and if not, they came to peace with that reality. It certainly is possible to process the same things as you and engage with these so called real problems without turning into a cynic. Perhaps these "happy bullshitters" are more adept at acknowledging these problems and their ability to act on it.

JoeyBananas 3y ago
> To think that the only people who are not cynical / angry are those that are avoiding the "real problems" (in what/ whose definition?). That's not my point. I am saying that in a business environment, when there's one person in a group that is pissed, disagreeing, or somehow pissing on the happy-go-lucky parade, that person is usually right. Why? Beause pissing on the parade is always more risky and difficult than taking the path of least resistance (which is just shutting up and accepting the status quo.) So, they wouldn't be doing it unless they really had to.
- syncbehind 3y ago
  You can disagree without being angry or cynical. That you think you need to be cynical, pissed, or "pissing on the happy-go-lucky-parade" to disagree and engage with real problems is the notion I hold issue with. >So, they wouldn't be doing it unless they really had to. I can think of a handful of reasons why they may do so. Being a contrarian is not hard. It certainly does not mean that the person being a contrarian is right (or right to do so, especially if the methods is being an insufferable colleague).

aarondf 3y ago

This is a sincere question: is your life, specifically, better because you're cynical and angry? I'm not talking about "the industry" in an abstract sense, but on a personal level are you happy?

JoeyBananas 3y ago
No, my life is definitely not better due to cynicism. I'd be happier if I never walked into an office ever again or debated anyone online, and just lived in happy ignorance. Yet, I know I will continue to do these things.
- aarondf 3y ago
  Man. I'm sorry to hear that, truly
hotpotamus 3y ago
I think I'd be happy in life if I believed in god and thought I was going to some happy place after I die and that any of this meant anything at the end of the day. I can't will myself to believe in Christianity or Scientology or Islam or Judaism however. Does that make me cynical?
- syncbehind 3y ago
  There's a clear difference between skepticism and cynicism. I don't think one needs to be a cynic to be skeptical about outlandish or otherwise scientifically unproven claims (i.e. religion). If we are to look at the greek roots/ schools of thought. Cynics were engaged in finding fault in everything whereas Skeptics were thought to doubt claims (even those generally held true) and requiring substantial proof. I don't know enough about your world view or anything, but you don't sound like a cynic. Read more here: https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/skepticism-cynicism.php https://www.cjr.org/language_corner/skepticism-cynicism.php

fasterik 3y ago

I disagree. First, we need to separate anger and cynicism. Anger is an emotional response which is sometimes useful for motivating action, but I think the vast majority of anger in the world is unjustified and causes unnecessary suffering. Almost all the time, it is better not to respond with anger and instead take a rational, impartial approach to solving problems. Cynicism is more of a general attitude toward other people -- being distrustful of everyone's motives and assuming they are motivated solely by greed and self-interest. Granted, sometimes people's motives are truly bad. But again, I think the vast majority of cynicism is toxic and poisons our ability to see the good in people. Most people believe that they are doing the right thing. What we really need is to look at the systems and incentives that cause them to behave the way that they do.

over_bridge 3y ago

Being cynical about everything is intellectual laziness. It feels like you are being smart and critical but blindly rejecting and doubting everything is no different from blindly accepting or believing everything. Instead of observing each new idea and evaluating it on its merits, you've already determined what your response will be. It's a biased filter on everything you see. We should aim to be openminded but also willing to reject things that don't make sense (looking at you, NFT bros)