If someone called you a cynic, would you take it as a compliment or a criticism?
Let’s just say there was a war between good and evil — evil being Cynicism and good being, well, the opposite of cynicism. I think we all know that Cynicism would score an easy win.
But then, at the awards ceremony during its victory speech, Cynicism would take the black villain’s mask off and everyone would see that it’s not really evil, it’s just misunderstood.
Though “cynical” does imply a sneering disbelief in integrity, a cynic isn’t necessarily a pessimist or a misanthrope. Or jaded. Can’t you just hear Cynicism saying, “I want to believe people are inherently good…I really want to”?
Do I smell the beginnings of your next essay for Skirt!?
ReplyDeleteDon't I wish it was that easy. Everything I'm writing sounds like it's a Japanese translation. Happy kitten bicycle time!
ReplyDeleteI guess being labeled a cynic is better than being labeled a cupcake, but it definitely has some sort of withering connotations. You know, "The nipples of Mother Hope have run dry" and all that.
ReplyDeleteThe meanest thing anyone ever said to me was during a vigorous hazing session at boarding school where someone said, "You are NOT misunderstood." I still wonder is she knew what she was talking about.
Maybe cynicism is wanting to believe other people are inherently good while knowing that deep down inside you are really not. God, it's raining isn't it?