Cynicism is something I was curious about, particularly what drives people to feel this way. It’s such a powerful emotion that tilts someone’s worldview.
It comes from negative experience and not dealing with the effects of that experience. The weight of that negativity is what tilts your views to be overtly cynical. You don’t just choose to be cynical, it’s part of your predisposition.
Idealism comes when you are younger in age and as you get older, you become more cynical about things, because you have been through many more experiences.
Young people should not be overtly cynical. They should look at the world with bright eyes and try to change things for the better. A young person who is overly cynical is a tragedy.
In regard to playing politics, I think that is just intellectual laziness. Getting people on board with your ideas requires thoughtfulness. Try to find common ground on something you both believe in is a challenge, that requires effort. Treating people as individuals, showing genuine curiosity in their beliefs and exchanging direct feedback in a respectful way, is how you get people on board with your ideas.
Cynicism in younger people is merely operationalizing the adage “prepare for the worst and hope for the best”. Hope just isn’t a great foundation for basing decisions on if you have any other foundation available.
Hope is a great foundation, especially if you’re in a negative environment. It’s important to deal directly with reality, but sometimes reality is harsh and you need a break from the present moment. Hope is that break.
It comes from negative experience and not dealing with the effects of that experience. The weight of that negativity is what tilts your views to be overtly cynical. You don’t just choose to be cynical, it’s part of your predisposition.
Idealism comes when you are younger in age and as you get older, you become more cynical about things, because you have been through many more experiences.
Young people should not be overtly cynical. They should look at the world with bright eyes and try to change things for the better. A young person who is overly cynical is a tragedy.
In regard to playing politics, I think that is just intellectual laziness. Getting people on board with your ideas requires thoughtfulness. Try to find common ground on something you both believe in is a challenge, that requires effort. Treating people as individuals, showing genuine curiosity in their beliefs and exchanging direct feedback in a respectful way, is how you get people on board with your ideas.