Current Events > Cynicism may make you look smarter, but is a (weak) indicator of the opposite.

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://twitter.com/cremieuxrecueil/status/1696589192208281606?t=kACBt7jnTDYMqeAtVpPh7g&s=19

Take note gaming community.

It makes sense to me

I agree with Colbert

This is mere confirmation bias. Happiness is just an illusion to make people fall into capitalist America, after all. Cynicism is looking at the world truthfully.

You hear that? Stop resisting the police.

Wouldn't that just prove cynics even more correct? Testing is stacked against them!

GhostFaceLeaks posted...

This is mere confirmation bias. Happiness is just an illusion to make people fall into capitalist America, after all. Cynicism is looking at the world truthfully.

No, cynicism is looking at the world in the worst possible way. Idealism is harder to maintain, but more meaningful to pursue.

As a blind optimist, I will interpret this as proof that I'm smarter than everyone else.

Cool.
"A further three studies [...] debunked these lay beliefs as illusionary[.]"
Should be illusory, not illusionary.

This is a case study in people misunderstanding what cynicism is.

Daremo posted...

This is a case study in people misunderstanding what cynicism is.

You're saying that the psychologists studying cynicism misunderstand what cynicism is?

I have a feeling cynicism may lead to lower rates of engagement with academia, which in return yields lower amounts of intellectual progression over time, although the causal relationship probably works both ways to some extent.

Daremo posted...

This is a case study in people misunderstanding what cynicism is.

What do you base this belief on?

"For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder."

It makes perfect sense that TC would make it a point to share a study that purports to show how "lay people" overestimate their competence.

...compared to TC, of course, who is an intellectual elite in comparison to the hoi polloi comprising the rest of this board.

COVxy posted...

You're saying that the psychologists studying cynicism misunderstand what cynicism is?

Pretty much. Both these people and their subjects are likely using a combination of pessimism and defeatism rather than a system of analysis and realistic expectations based on prior experiences and data.

Pogo_Marimo posted...

What do you base this belief on?

Prior experiences with almost everyone getting the definition of cynicism wrong.

GhostFaceLeaks posted...

This is mere confirmation bias. Happiness is just an illusion to make people fall into capitalist America, after all. Cynicism is looking at the world truthfully.

I guess in the context of politics I can understand it more

My brain jumped to social stuff, people always jumping to the most negative conclusion/explanation for someone's behaviour

"Omg person X is such a narcissist" etc

Daremo posted...

Pretty much. Both these people and their subjects are likely using a combination of pessimism and defeatism rather than a system of analysis and realistic expectations based on prior experiences and data.

Maybe you should contact those researchers and let them know they got being a miserable sad sack all wrong.

I'm fine with being stupid so long as I am no fool.

Daremo posted...

system of analysis and realistic expectations based on prior experiences and data

Seems your definition of cynicism is different than everyone elses.

AloneIBreak posted...

It makes perfect sense that TC would make it a point to share a study that purports to show how "lay people" overestimate their competence.

...compared to TC, of course, who is an intellectual elite in comparison to the hoi polloi comprising the rest of this board.

That's not what it says though lol.

*looks around CE*

Yep, checks out

So if you suck at things you'll be more cynical.

pikakaeru posted...

So if you suck at things you'll be more cynical.

Ehh, the effect sizes here are tiny, I think the reasonable take is that despite people having the perception that cynical people are savvier, but really there's no difference, and if there were any difference at all, there's a tiny bias towards less education and ability.

AloneIBreak posted...

It makes perfect sense that TC would make it a point to share a study that purports to show how "lay people" overestimate their competence.

...compared to TC, of course, who is an intellectual elite in comparison to the hoi polloi comprising the rest of this board.

Im no fan of TC as Im sure is no surprise but this is way off the mark.

He's salty for other reasons, best to just ignore really.

that's a very cynical view of cynicism

eh

Makes sense. Imagine the extreme negativity and distrust when the UAP Hearing happened.

And tc among others clapped themselves on the back as be smarter than those who said lets see what happens or this is interesting.

Glad to see a study find what we see happen in real time.

GhostFaceLeaks posted...

This is mere confirmation bias. Happiness is just an illusion to make people fall into capitalist America, after all. Cynicism is looking at the world truthfully.

Cynicism is the whole schtick of "stop trying nothing matters it won't work we have no power and never will, stop talking about it" which people post in my threads.

WingsOfGood posted...

Cynicism is the whole schtick of "stop trying nothing matters it won't work we have no power and never will, stop talking about it" which people post in my threads.

This is false. Thats just pessimism. Practically nihilism.

It makes me question what the studies and people in the studies define as cynicism. And how the people are qualified as one or not.

cuttin_in_farm posted...

This is false. Thats just pessimism. Practically nihilism.

It makes me question what the studies and people in the studies define as cynicism. And how the people are qualified as one or not.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/4/9/AAZt-XAAEy5Z.jpg

Does it explain how the study prescribes the cynic label to the participants? It seems to be going by a good definition at the very least.

Are participants self-describing?

Yes Im too lazy to actually read it. But Im curious.

COVxy posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/4/9/AAZt-XAAEy5Z.jpg

Why not post the abstract visible in the OP instead?

Actually, everyone should read that abstract first before getting upset.

cuttin_in_farm posted...

This is false. Thats just pessimism. Practically nihilism.

It makes me question what the studies and people in the studies define as cynicism. And how the people are qualified as one or not.

There is some of that as well sure however:

Cynicism is an attitude characterized by a general distrust of the motives of others. A cynic may have a general lack of faith or hope in people motivated by ambition, desire, greed, gratification, materialism, goals, and opinions that a cynic perceives as vain, unobtainable, or ultimately meaningless.

The belief in those posts at their core is Cynicism. They don't trust others. They are pessimistic because they are Cynical. Nothing will change because it don't matter who is in office or whatever. Socialism won't work blah blah cause selfish people yadda yadda.

Also pessimism is a synonym fyi according to Merriam themselves.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cynic

xXfireglzXx posted...

Why not post the abstract visible in the OP instead?

Because the more detailed definition in the text provides citations that could be tracked down from context, and at least provides that poster with the sense that there is context and prior literature that they are working off of.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Stop being such a cynic (I hope that's not moddable now)

I mean the study states that cynicism at times is warranted. I dont think its a massive discovery that someone who is cynical/idealistic in situations when its called for is probably more competent than someone who is always cynical or idealistic no matter the circumstances.

Cynicism is the whole 'no one is ever altruistic, everyone is out for themselves and only sending virtue signals' posturing that some really do mistake for intelligence.

When it gets pointed out, the typical response is some grumpy pass-agg sarcasm about how the other person is so superior to mere mortals. (Which, ironically, was the whole foundation of their cynical 'the real truth is' stance in the first place).

ai123 posted...

Cynicism is the whole 'no one is ever altruistic, everyone is out for themselves and only sending virtue signals' posturing that some really do mistake for intelligence.

yep. this is often the defense of Capitalism too. The dog eat dog world. Everyone is for themselves so we need a system that lets us have full control! People will take advantage of UBI etc, can't let them. and on and on

WingsOfGood posted...

yep. this is often the defense of Capitalism too. The dog eat dog world. Everyone is for themselves so we need a system that lets us have full control! People will take advantage of UBI etc, can't let them. and on and on

True.

And also commonly used by the alt right to try and belittle support for progressive causes: no one really cares about trans issues, misogyny, police killing minorities, etc. they're only doing it to look good on social media.

ai123 posted...

Cynicism is the whole 'no one is ever altruistic, everyone is out for themselves and only sending virtue signals' posturing that some really do mistake for intelligence.

Which is utter nonsense.

Cynicism is about looking beyond the surface, probing, doubting, questioning, and being aware that here are no simple answers.

Self interest is a frequent motivator, but saying it's the only one flies entirely in the face of what cynic philosophy is.

Daremo posted...

Which is utter nonsense.

Cynicism is about looking beyond the surface, probing, doubting, questioning, and being aware that here are no simple answers.

Self interest is a frequent motivator, but saying it's the only one flies entirely in the face of what cynic philosophy is.

This study isnt really about cynicism in the philosophical sense. The average self-described cynic probably doesnt know who Diogenes is.

All I see is a blue checkmark person. Not worth reading what they said.

AloneIBreak posted...

This study isnt really about cynicism in the philosophical sense. The average self-described cynic probably doesnt know who Diogenes is.

Which is what I was saying earlier.

Id get involved in this debate about what cynicism and pessimism actually mean, but its not worth it. Its meaningless in the grand scheme.