I found that the older I got the more cynical I became.
Now I hardly believe a word that anyone says.
I distrust people, the Govt.  used car/motorbike dealers, real estate agents, lawyers, and also employers -
they have all let me down more times than I could count.

Here's a good article on it:

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/09/health/hope-for-cynics-jamil-zaki-wellness/in...


Cynics not only lose out on friendships, love and opportunity — they’re also wrong about human nature

By Jessica DuLong, CNN
8 minute read

Updated 9:49 AM EST, Sat November 9, 2024





Americans are experiencing a “trust recession,” social scientist Jamil Zaki said in his new book, “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness.” Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab.

The new book "Hope for Cynics" contends that Americans are facing a "trust recession."

The new book "Hope for Cynics" contends that Americans are facing a "trust recession." Grand Central Publishing
Americans’ belief that most people can be trusted dropped from nearly half in 1973 to about one-third in 2018, according to the General Social Survey. But research reveals this mistrust as off base. In fact, people are often better than we expect.

As it turns out, cynics are often all wrong.

Based on a growing science, Zaki calls on people to replace cynicism with “hopeful skepticism” that helps to see the world more clearly and activates them to create a better future by leveraging “the surprising wisdom of hope.”

Cynicism leads to apathy and inaction. But people can counteract it by questioning their assumptions, maintaining faith in others, gossiping about goodness and embracing the hope that drives civic engagement and social progress.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Nov 10^th, 2024 at 1:30pm:



But the article on CNN says we should not be cynical.

Bobby. wrote on Nov 10^th, 2024 at 1:32pm:

OK... And Joe Rogan really was using horse dewormer to get over covid, just like CNN reported!

I’m not cyclical!

I know for sure everyone is out too get me!!!

be skeptical bobby, not cynical

Bobby. wrote on Nov 10^th, 2024 at 1:32pm:


of course you should be cynical. there are crooks everywhere trying to shove junk into your arms telling you if you don't take it you will die. Tell em to piss off

Bobby. wrote on Nov 10^th, 2024 at 5:35pm:

Good point...

Scoot, you owe it to all your Australian-archetype fans - fat Steve and Janine!

aquascoot wrote on Nov 10^th, 2024 at 7:00pm:

Ah, Chris Williamson! Oh to think you're wise in your 30s!

And you've been... to the mountaintop

'They' say, there's nothing sadder than a cynical child...

I'd say you should get a pass at 70... After you've read more pop psychology how-tos than you've had brown sh!tts and drank enough nootropics to fill a small lake - the ones you were plugging for hard cash in your 30s.