Social Are people more cynical than optimistic?

[Takes Two To Tango]

I feel the way people talk in general, they give a cynical opinion about things most of the time.

You hardly see positivity/optimism anymore about things that are going around the world.

I guess people tend to look at the glass half empty, rather than half full.

That's just based on my personal observation.

 

[ssBaldy]

I feel the way people talk in general, they give a cynical opinion about things most of the time.

You hardly see positivity/optimism anymore about things that are going around the world.

I guess people tend to look at the glass half empty, rather than half full.

That's just based on my personal observation.

Global processes are rather depressing. Wars, inflation, property being unobtainable. People are often overworked and underpaid at the same time. Of course they are cynical.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Global processes are rather depressing. Wars, inflation, property being unobtainable. People are often overworked and underpaid at the same time. Of course they are cynical.

Was people during WWI or WWII more cynical in your opinion?

 

[Wrath of Foamy]

I think that over the last few decades, being cynical has become rather cool. It seems to be a sign of intelligence for some, like a counterculture.

I also think that it's a sign of increased mental health issues in the western world.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I think that over the last few decades, being cynical has become rather cool. It seems to be a sign of intelligence for some, like a counterculture.

I also think that it's a sign of increased mental health issues in the western world.

Nicely said. I think people in the past even during the big wars we're less cynical people. It's just we are spoiled bunch now, so we whine and complain about the smallest, trivial things.

I guess we are a weaker society as a whole.

 

[Wrath of Foamy]

Nicely said. I think people in the past even during the big wars we're less cynical people. It's just we are spoiled bunch now, so we whine and complain about the smallest, trivial things.

I guess we are a weaker society as a whole.

Well in fairness, we are given a lot to be cynical about, by design.

The rise of identity politics in social media, as well as online news feeds, has people being constantly being bombarded by bad news, and inflammatory pieces for the sake of clicks.

You have an opinion, chances are you'll be labelled as something derogatory as a group, and you'll have a label for some other group that you don't like.

We had punk, grunge, but nowadays it's whether you vote red or blue, or whether or not you choose to agree with a conspiracy theory, and it's relentless.

 

[nonoob]

I think that over the last few decades, being cynical has become rather cool.

Bicycle rider wasn't cynical, was optimistic that everyone behind would be happy and patient.

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[Wrath of Foamy]

 

[ssBaldy]

Was people during WWI or WWII more cynical in your opinion?

Depends. I guess there were more people directly affected, but if you lived in,say, Siberia and didn't get drafted for WWI, why would you care at all?
Today's problems are magnofied by the market being global and us living in an information age where we have access to too much information for our own good.

 

[Beechwood]

Much of the media has become more negative, cynical for political reasons ever since Trump came into office. I find myself rolling my eyes at much of what the press has to say these days.

As an example I was reading a popular investing newspaper the other day and nearly every article spelled out doom and gloom. ( I was given the paper for free.) One would think the world was coming to an end soon, I was joking to myself as i read.

After Decimating Their Credibility, Networks Still Spew 'Relentlessly Hostile' Trump Coverage​

https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2025/04/28/networks-spew-relentlessly-negative-trump-coverage-even-after-destroying-credibility-covering-for-biden-n2188423

 

[Cartiac]

I think people are more cynical by far because it is easy. Everyone can bitch and moan about other people, make excuses for why other people have things they want, and why those people are horrible human beings. That takes no effort at all.

Being positive and optimistic requires making effort, taking risks, and overcoming negative influences particularly from the cynical majority.

Definitions of success differ, but in most cases being successful requires doing something better than most that makes you stand out from the crowd. That makes the crowd feel bad about themselves so they just continue to bitch and moan.

 

[TheTickG]

I feel the way people talk in general, they give a cynical opinion about things most of the time.

You hardly see positivity/optimism anymore about things that are going around the world.

I guess people tend to look at the glass half empty, rather than half full.

That's just based on my personal observation.

I voted for the optimistic choice because I'm optimistic.

 

[tgv976]

Analyze the cost of living 40 - 60 years ago and compare that to today. I don't know how anyone could have a positive outlook for the future anymore.

 

[SSgt Dickweed]

Worst thread ever. Think of a better topic next time TS you dickhead.

 

[Michaelangelo]

It’s just a coping mechanism to deal with retards and assholes and retarded assholes

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Well in fairness, we are given a lot to be cynical about, by design.

The rise of identity politics in social media, as well as online news feeds, has people being constantly being bombarded by bad news, and inflammatory pieces for the sake of clicks.

You have an opinion, chances are you'll be labelled as something derogatory as a group, and you'll have a label for some other group that you don't like.

We had punk, grunge, but nowadays it's whether you vote red or blue, or whether or not you choose to agree with a conspiracy theory, and it's relentless.

Yeah that's very valid point indeed. We're bombarded with so much information, you are not sure what's right or factual in a sense. It's very sensitive world we live in now.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Depends. I guess there were more people directly affected, but if you lived in,say, Siberia and didn't get drafted for WWI, why would you care at all?
Today's problems are magnofied by the market being global and us living in an information age where we have access to too much information for our own good.

No, just wondering the difference of cynicism of today to the past as well. Even it's worse now. You have a valid argument btw.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I voted for the optimistic choice because I'm optimistic.

lol nice. I expect that from you.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Worst thread ever. Think of a better topic next time TS you dickhead.

Sorry to disappoint, I'll do better.

 

[Fedorgasm]

I think people like to complain. it's the default state of the human brain.

Complain, whine, play the victim, and generally be negative.

And the media has a negative slant which doesn't help.

And a lot of social media has a negative slant, like Reddit and X.

Positivity is a thing you learn when you mature. When you learn to be grateful for what you have. So yeah, there are a lot fewer mature people out there today.