I have this person at my work that is a cynic. They choose to walk around and spout off any opinions and observations about any and everything they see fit to speak on. I know there are tons of people here who use that cynical humor or attempt to (its a art to actually be funny while using it) but why do so many use it and can't do it properly? They come off sounding a bit pompus and like an ass I know the girl at my work does. Here is a quote from an article I found.

"If someone were to call you a cynic, would you take this as a compliment or a criticism? What exactly is a cynic anyway? The Oxford English Dictionary describes a cynic as a person "disposed to rail or find fault" and as one who "shows a disposition to disbelieve in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions, and is wont to express this by sneers and sarcasm." In short, the cynic is "a sneering fault-finder."

"Most of us know a few people in our lives whom we would describe as cynics. They tend to be rather bright individuals, who are just a little bit full of themselves and never hesitate to voice their own critical opinions of other people. Does this sound familiar to you?"

So what do you think of cynics? Do you know any? Or are you one?

eh, cynicism is a defense mechanism. i used to be super cynical, but i think i'm slowly starting to knock it off. i think there's a difference between not letting one's naivety bite him/her in the ass, and being so stinkin' cynical that one becomes completely opaque and impermeable. i've seen stuff and been on the recieving end of stuff that has made me really wary of certain people, things and situations - but on other levels, i think i have no choice but to stay receptive to the world and enthusiastic about things that come my way, because if i close myself off and wrap myself up in cynicism, i might as well just be dead.

CauseImFly said:

Yep....Find 'em at every football match in the country....an in such instances I'm definately

one of 'em.....

.....(specially where the ref's concerned)

Anxiety said:

That is a very good observation and explanation. I don't know the reasoning for the cynical nature of the girl at work, but why butt in all the time? Is it to make yourself seem smart or witty? I mean I understand to a point being cynical but why are there those who feel the need to force their cynical opinions on you? To me it's like someone playing loud music at midnight in your apartment with the doors and windows open. Not everyone wants to hear your music (ie comments)and thats not being very considerate to others around you.

maybe next time she butts in, you should tell her it's an AT&T conversation and she should SPRINT her way out of it.

CauseImFly said:

....
[This message was edited Thu Aug 26 20:08:49 2004 by Natisse]

CauseImFly said:

I agree with you. I also work with a woman who's quite cynical. It's wearing thin and she always has a negative opinion on everyone and everything it seems. To me it looks as if she uses it to hide her insecurities or whatever. I consider her a friend (we even dated a few years ago) but now I try and steer clear of her and her negativity. I don't want to make it seem as if I'm all smiles as I have had my hard times as well but being around a negative person like that can really get you down.

Im a raging cynic, I admit it.

Case said:

I'm extremely cynical of pop culture. I always get on people's case for working so hard to be trendy and fashionable just because.... well, it's trendy and fashionable. I could rage for hours about the stupidity of fashion worshippers who idolize every purse or pair of shoes Paris Hilton or Jessica Simpson decides to buy, and I do rage for hours about the sad and decrepit state of music.

But, I for the most part am embracing of anybody, regardless of their tastes in anything, so long as who they are appears to be genuine.

Unfortunately, most people act artificially, so I am a cynic more often than not. I'm trying to change myself. Really, I am. It's even getting to be that I can tell the difference between a fake Luis Viutton bag and a real one (Tip 1: It's fake if the person holding it is waiting for the bus).
[This message was edited Thu Aug 26 22:40:40 2004 by savoirfaire]

I love cynical people.

I believe that being cynical to some extent can be a good thing. I think humanity would agree with me! That's if we define cynicism as having no belief or trust in goodness, honesty, sincerity etc. Nowadays it seems to be common practice to deny peoples sincerity. Everyone appears to have an agenda or motive. Take people from any age who say 'I love you' just to get something materialistic or not. Even the people we trust in in government. Who knows how this trend of untrustworthiness started! Some people see their cynicism as plain old common sense which I think is a fair point. Take Anna Nicole Smith for example who is marrying that old millionaire, the obvious conclusion is that she is anxiously waiting to become a rich widow, right? Are homeless people are actually struggling to survive or are they all just very, very lazy?

Cynicism is rife and wholly exceptable. It's almost considered cool to be critical of even the most insignificant of things. We live in a world filled with so many choices that force people to make snap judgments and split second decisions hundreds of times a day. It's no wonder we've become so cynical. With all of this, it's a mystery how Prince keeps going if people say, 'oh he doesnt perform/write songs/act like he used to'. He's just an example.

But being cynical shouldn't be all negative I dont think. I feel it is a necessary tool particularly in modern society. But there is a dark side to it. The trouble with being cynical is the total lack of consideration for anything but ones own rose-tinted glasses perspective. Whenever people form judgments on others, they risk the possibility of being prejudiced. This is why people should work to be cynical with an opinion that is well thought out. Random uncreative comments accomplishes nothing and is unrespectable. Cynical people challenge us to raise the bar. You can see it even here on the Org. Look at the P & R forum. All the forums even!! The only problem is those who are being challenged tend to be so cynical that they have never thought they were wrong in the first place. But then again, what do I know? I'm just JD.