Cynicism: the Best Way to Live Life?

[Pinkie-Dawn]

To get a better understanding on what cynicism is, it's an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest and not others, plus some dose of skepticism on different subjects, whether or not they have knowledge on the subject in question. I've seen a couple of users here in PC who are quite cynical when it comes to politics, entertainment media, and social interactions; I even have a few contacts on Skype with cynical natures. But what bothers me if whether being cynical is the best way to live a better life. I've tried being as cynical as my Skype contacts in the past, but they told me to stop it because it was by their own life choice and not mine, and that I shouldn't be copying them in order to gain their respect, which has only made me even more mind-boggling, because cynicism is becoming a common trait on social media such as youtube and reddit, and if you're not cynical enough, then you'll be mocked. For any member here who is cynical, is it really the best way to live life, or is living a positive or nihilistic life a better choice?

 

[Her]

I wouldn't equate cynicism with nihilism. Nihilism is possibly the most extreme form of cynicism, but only a few self-described cynics reach that level.

I find that attempting to be cynical is laughable. Although being aware of the realities of our world is essential, there is no need to try achieve a Garfield-esque view of life if it's not your natural personality. If you are a naturally cynical person, then that's what works for you. But there's no need to go out of your way to 'make yourself' a cynic. Someone takes themselves a bit too seriously in that regard.
Internet discussion centres tend to foster an air of cynicism since because of the internet, everyone can find out what's currently happening in the world and why it's happening. Because of this constant awareness of often negative headlines, I suppose it's only natural that many people lose their shock to such things and develop a cynical nature. But not only can you find out what's happening, you can see everyone's opinion in a mere scroll if you so wish. Cynicism reinforces itself on other people's collective cynicism.

Just go about the world in a way that's healthiest for you.

 

[Sir Codin]

Cynicism is basically my way of life.

I've tried being optimistic. I can't. I am utterly unable to do it.

Actually, lately, you could say I'm becoming more and more nihilistic. Everyone's making a big deal about all kinds of shit: gun control, capitalism vs socialism vs communism, economy this economy that, racism, environment, health, human rights, equality, feminism, men's rights movements, Gamergate, income inequality, gender wage gap, glass ceilings. And sometimes I'm just all "fuck all, I'm going to sleep." And it's only 2pm.

At this point, it's not just America. Everyone in the world is doomed and I just don't care anymore. Some days I actually feel like it would be better if I were dead. I'm nothing special and nothing special is going to come out of me and humans really are just decaying sacks of flesh that consume the earth, but hey..."There Will Come Soft Rains."

Nihil novi sub sole.

 

[Kanzler]

Well, when people try to be cynical it can come across as trying to be edgy, so that's why Harley Quinn and Skype contacts find it undesirable.

But it's not bad to have a healthy dose of cynicism, I'd say you're just being realistic. We should generally be aware that things aren't always as they seem on the surface, and we should also generally be aware that people are motivated by self-interest. I think those two things are largely true.

Also @Carcharodin's points: yeah there comes a moment in the hot topic issue space when you're like who gives a fuck anymore.

Anyways, don't worry about the mocking. It's just one of those social pecking order things, like who had the Gameboys as a kid, who got the bitches as a teen, who gets the car and the cash as a yuppie, and who's got the best looking lawn as the middle-aged suburban commuter. People on the internet need to feel self-cool about things too.

 

[Entermaid]

My work sort of requires me to be cynical and address conventional wisdom.

Sometimes I affirm "traditional values" which are scoffed at (or I used to scoff at.)
Other times, I affirm alternative values, which are scoffed at (or I used to scoff at.)

Beyond that, I have realized cynicism can be a bit unhealthy in excess, so I am trying to build a life outside of work and co-workers but it's not easy being an INTP. Besides, you cannot change or affect the world through interpersonal exchanges, rather this expression should be limited to academia, when it actually counts. Otherwise, questioning everything in the world can have an un-anchoring effect, society requires that we are able to cooperate in order for us to function, if we question these social systems too much, and harbor too much distrust, we will not be able to function as well, or be happy.

 

[Saki]

I try my best to reach a balance. To be as realistic as possible. I can be an emotional being though and with personal experienced I occasionally become more of a skeptic and more cynical in certain circumstances but I don't think that's extremely uncommon! Some areas of my life require me to be cynical, and others require me to be positive as well.

I like to accept people for who they are so I won't avoid someone because they're cynical or overly positive (or somewhere in between :) ).

 

[ShinyUmbreon189]

I just live my life to the fullest and don't care what other people's opinion is on me, lifes too short to take it slow, it's not a bad thing to live off the edge from time to time. If someone dislikes me cause I like to party I say fuck em, if they don't like that I smoke weed I honestly don't care, if someone tells me how to live my life based on their best interest then I simply ignore them; stay in your lane and I'll stay in mine, it's that simple. It's my life and I'm free to do whatever I please, if I please. Call me what you want, but at the end of the day, I don't care.

 

[Kameken]

I've never met a person in real life who has been helped by being an overall cynic. Most people defending it tend to think it helps avoid disappointment, but from the people I've seen who actually are cynical most of the time, it seems they're unhappy even when good things do happen.

Maybe they expect something to go wrong, or for the entire event to cause more harm than good, but it just seems unhealthy to me to be so down all the time.

 

[Pendraflare]

While I attempt to be realistic and not cynical, I am trying to be respectful of others, but there are times when it really gets hard. But I am one who wants to keep an upbeat nature. I don't want to be that guy who's always upset despite having a hard life, even though there's been much hampered on me lately it's not something that ever really gets to me.

 

[Rogue planet]

Behind deplorable actions/behaviour there is fear, and behind fear there is a desire for something good, and behind that there is love.

It's best not to live in fear, for both yourself and others. It's not easy though.

 

[Margaery Tyrell]

I agree with Harley Quinn, go about life in whatever way is healthiest for you. If you're not naturally cynical, then don't pretend to be something you're not to fit in, you won't be satisfied with the results.

I wouldn't say cynical, but perhaps keeping a realistic perception would be helpful in taking in what goes on around you. Frankly, being negative about everything is generally going to take a toll on you, and is really only going to desensitize you to your environment which doesn't help anyone either. Eventually, in doing so, you may even reach apathy which is extremely toxic to your mental and emotional stability imo.

I think a balance should be kept, rather than anchoring yourself in extremes.

 

[twocows]

It is good to have a realistic view of how the world works, but believing that everything and everyone is bad and getting worse is not only a depressing way to live, it is also simply untrue. There is good and bad everywhere and to blind yourself to either leads to an unrealistic view of the world and negatively influences both your judgment and personal happiness.

 

[Alexander Nicholi]

Also @Carcharodin's points: yeah there comes a moment in the hot topic issue space when you're like who gives a fuck anymore.

Anyways, don't worry about the mocking. It's just one of those social pecking order things, like who had the Gameboys as a kid, who got the bitches as a teen, who gets the car and the cash as a yuppie, and who's got the best looking lawn as the middle-aged suburban commuter. People on the internet need to feel self-cool about things too.

This made me laugh really nicely. The greatest humour has a sore element of truth to it.

Behind deplorable actions/behaviour there is fear, and behind fear there is a desire for something good, and behind that there is love.

It's best not to live in fear, for both yourself and others. It's not easy though.

How did you do that?

It is good to have a realistic view of how the world works, but believing that everything and everyone is bad and getting worse is not only a depressing way to live, it is also simply untrue. There is good and bad everywhere and to blind yourself to either leads to an unrealistic view of the world and negatively influences both your judgment and personal happiness.

I think the important thing to remember is that there is a lot of negative things in the world to be pissed at. Similarly, there are a lot of beautiful things to be just as happy over. If you're a true realist your behaviour should be a melded reflection of your environment - people who aren't as "real" about things tend to let their own thoughts smear their view of reality. When that happens it gets into Adriana's point about being yourself; similar to how you're being something you're not by putting on goggles that filter your view can change your behaviour as you're seeing something else from what others are seeing, deliberately trying to change your behaviour to something unnatural to you can also lead to the same end of you not being the true you.

It's important not to mistake realism for cynicism though. There's a lot of shit in this world. But it's not like there aren't good things, either. I'm of the thought that true good is something you have to search for and aspire to, whereas bad things are doing the contrary, ergo search for you.

 

[Livewire]

I think there's a time and place to be realistic, optimistic, and cynical even, but I wouldn't want to be simply one of those things over the other. Being realistic is a happy medium I think. Being too optimistic can leave you naive and defenseless if thing's don't pan out, and being too cynical, while it may save your ass from disappointment or failure, basically robs you of any enjoyment or happiness just so you can say "I told you so" if things turn bad. But there's a time and a place for each one, and it's basically up to you to know what's appropriate and when.

 

[Sir Codin]

Someone once told me that cynics are basically beaten-down realists.

How true do you guys think that statement is?

 

[Anvils Alive]

My view of things is that you shouldn't be too cynical. Or too idealistic. To that end, the solution would just be powering through your day on your best behavior while not taking anybody's bull. Except on the horns.

 

[zoo3891]

Hmm, I've never taken cynicism/optimism into account with my own life, I guess I never saw a reason since things are what they are, not how they feel. Right?

Robert Anton Wilson used to say: "You never want to be a cynic because cynics die earlier," or something like that. You certainly live less when you're always meditating on the bad things anyway.

Someone once told me that cynics are basically beaten-down realists.

In the same way that optimists are pampered realists. {XD}