Is there a generally held cynicism throughout the older member of hip forums?

I'm bright and hopeful about my future, and was more of a sarcastic dick at the begging.

I defy you.

 

ain't it the truth, brother ain't that the damned truth!

 

I've never met a true psychopath, at the same time I don't see that the pursuit of self interest is in any way antithetical to common good.

 

I don't think Skip is damn right about Obama. There are many things that it seemed Obama promised, like legislative reform, but the truth is there is a whole group of wealthy white men that have so much interest vested in the Government that Obama has no choice but to bend a little. It does not mean he has not done anything that is indicative of changing some core injustices of our law... I think we should give him more time, and realize his willingness to listen to all interests is something exceptional yet in the new millenium, and something not done at all by republicans.

whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com

 

I wasn't saying that you personally ignore all positive reality, obviously I don't really know you so I wouldn't be able to make that claim. I was just speaking generally based on people that I know. And a LOT of people who say they are realists do choose to see only bad and never good.

I think that I see both bad and good, but I am still hopeful about the future (most of the time) Also, I am a total hippy and I think that postive thinking does help change the world.

 

To your point, I think part of being cynical is seeing some of the good. It's about seeing what is. Many time, to get through to the good, you have to see the bad.

 

Being a cynic is being distrustful of people and things and assuming everyone's motives are bad. I do not see how this attitude will make the world any better. Having a low opinion of humanity and not seeing anything good in humanity will NOT make humanity any better... all that does is create even more negativity.

There are plenty of bad things out there, but I would rather try to fix them instead of just sitting around being bitter and pessimistic. Too many people sit around and complain about everything and do nothing to fix what is wrong.

 

most likely yes......why else are we all over medicated or strung out on drugs?

Life is like a bowl of cheeries, with a lot of nuts thrown in the mix.....;-)

 

See, I disagree with this... Nothing says a cynic is distrustful of all people...

As for a low opinion of humanity... Humanity is an ideal... I have huge faith in humanity as a whole...

It's just 90% of the people who make up the humanity that I have issues with.

As for the last part of what you said, being a cynic does not equal sitting around and doing nothing. It is more then possible to be cynical about people in general while working to improve life for themselves and those around them...

 

By definition a cynic is a believer that people are insincere: somebody who believes that human actions are insincere and motivated by self-interest. It also applies to someone who is sarcastic in general.

 

hmmmm

or

 

The entry for Greek philosophy is capitalized by definition,

Cynic

 

I just watched the new Woody Allen film Whatever works, with Larry David playing the old cynic. It's quite funny, I like the dry humour in it.

Larry David was just made for this part, one of my favourite bits in CYE was in one of the last episodes where they are talking about how he always ends up getting the blame for everything and the fat guy pipes in "He's a victim of circumstance". It's quite subtle.

 

I think the world has gone a little fatalistic.

The young too, have picked up on this sense of futility.

 

I love that part too... although actually I love pretty much every single bit in CYE

 

Cynical about Cynics too, even though I am one


I'm sick of hearing all this crap about whats wrong with the kids of today, they are more this or that than we were.

Total Bullshit

 

You have a point....

Besides, "kids these days" will be in charge of things soon enough- how would an elderly curmudgeon in need of help expect to fare in a system run by the generation he (or she) insisted was useless and represented the destruction of society? It is the job of kids to be flawed at the onset of adulthood... life is the sculptor of note when rough character matures into something worthwhile.... and it happens no less now than it used to.

I say that from a point of realization that much the same thing was said about my generation when it was at that stage... and there are a few parlor tricks in my own past that dignified the cynicism toward us when we were the "kids these days".

It'll never go away... something about older farts these days...

 

I'm not complaining about the younger generation,although some of their tastes in music..

It's the older generation that have fucked things up. They let this happen.

You can't blame the kids, although it saddens me the materialistic and shallow values they have been indoctrinated with.