Cynicism is everywhere: time for hope and courage

Cynicism is everywhere nowadays, cynicism is hot. Beyond the humor, cynicism, like broader satire, holds up a mirror to society. It invites people to question their beliefs, values and priorities. But what once was a healthy counterforce has been transformed into a mainstream online style tool. 'Welcome' in the age of (online) cynicism.

Online bitterness

Scroll through your social media feed. Climate truants are "indoctrinated child soldiers", politicians are, one by one, "not to be trusted", bankers all "pocket fillers" and yes, indeed, everyone is selfish and weak. 'The system' is driven by greed and it is totally pointless, even despicable, to pursue great ideals. Idealists are do-gooders who only flaunt their own (presumed) virtues.

What must a reasonable person bring in against this raft of bitterness? It is good to at least realize that most people are not really cynical.

Online, cynics do know how to attract attention. Diligent, they spit out their bile and hatred. They pretend to be realists who see the facts as they are, but often they respond out of complacency. Their gloomy judgments about the world are not based on emotionless analyzes, but on an inner emotional compulsion.

“Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the furthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness: a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say 'no.' But saying 'yes' begins things”, said the American comedian Stephen Colbert strikingly a few years ago during a graduation ceremony at Knox College.

It is true: it is not difficult at this time to be pessimistic or even fatalistic. We face the enormous challenge of keeping our earth livable and the belief in ourselves, as history-making beings, is waning. Yet that does not mean that we have to accept the mistrust in the human ability of the modern cynic. In the first place because it is always a one-sided perspective, but especially because too much of it is self-reinforcing.

Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. - the American writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou

But beware: the opposite, unrestrained optimism is just as objectionable. It all too often leads to releasing yourself from the duty to do something. The fatalist says: "It makes absolutely no sense, so just sit tight." The optimist says: "It's all fine, so just sit tight."

If this doesn't work, what will?

Is there a middle ground between these two extremes? In 1926 the Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci was thrown into jail by Mussolini's fascist regime. Soon he knew: I will stay here until my death (eventually he was released just before his death, in 1937).

To live without illusions, but not to become disillusioned, he formulated the following phrase:

I’m a pessimist because of intelligence, but an optimist because of will.

Loosely translated: see the world for what it is, make life no better than it is and do not allow yourself easy victories, but stay determined, show courage and be involved in what you stand for.