My name is Otto, and I'm a cynic.

[ottohauser1977]

I will own up to it, having realized it some time ago, that I mistrust everyone's motives and believe no one is pure in any sense. Hypocrisy is the human condition, plain and simple. That extends to religion, politics, etc. Anything else, as a philosophy, is extremely naive. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't have principles. I do. I just accept that people are prone to be blind to what Jesus called the "beam in your own eye". Everyone is more concerned with the speck in his brother's eye.

Yes, I'm a cynic, but that doesn't make me a bad person. It just makes me a realist.

 

[TE999]

The primary advantages to being a cynic are you're never surprised or disappointed no matter what happens. The primary disadvantages are there's a dearth of joy and optimisim in one's life. I'm a touch cynical, but more of a pragmatist.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I won't be inviting you to any cozy firelit evenings with good friends, a bottle of cheap wine, and a bowl of popcorn. Not with an attitude like that.

 

[ottohauser1977]

The primary advantages to being a cynic are you're never surprised or disappointed no matter what happens. The primary disadvantages are there's a dearth of joy and optimisim in one's life. I'm a touch cynical, but more of a pragmatist.

Actually, I take joy in my pessimism. But that's hard for optimists to grasp. I can simply do my bit and relax after that, knowing that I have a clear conscience and I am no one's fool. I have some peace of mind, by accepting the futility of false hope.

 

[ottohauser1977]

I won't be inviting you to any cozy firelit evenings with good friends, a bottle of cheap wine, and a bowl of popcorn. Not with an attitude like that.

LMAO. Who, me?

 

[TE999]

I won't be inviting you to any cozy firelit evenings with good friends, a bottle of cheap wine, and a bowl of popcorn. Not with an attitude like that.

Will us pragmatists be invited? I'll bring the popcorn.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Will us pragmatists be invited? I'll bring the popcorn.

You're the kind of guy that always has a couple extra Trojans on hand as well, I'm sure.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

I would invite Otto over. I hope that he has some German beer with him, though.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I would invite Otto over. I hope that he has some German beer with him, though.

he'll expect the worst from you, you know.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

he'll expect the worst from you, you know.

True, but I won't be what he expects.

 

[amicus]

Main article: Cynic

The classical Greek and Roman Cynics regarded virtue as the only necessity for happiness, and saw virtue as entirely sufficient for attaining happiness. Classical Cynics followed this philosophy to the extent of neglecting everything not furthering their perfection of virtue and attainment of happiness, thus, the title Cynics, derived from the Greek word κύων, ("dog" in English) because they allegedly neglected society, hygiene, family, money, etc, in a manner reminiscent of dogs. They sought to free themselves from conventions; become self-sufficient; and live only in accordance with nature. They rejected any conventional notions of happiness involving money, power, or fame, to lead entirely virtuous, and thus happy, lives.[1]

The ancient Cynics rejected conventional social values, and would criticise the types of behaviours, such as greed, which they viewed as causing suffering. Emphasis on this aspect of their teachings led, in the late 18th and early 19th century,[2] to the modern understanding of cynicism as "an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others."

~~~

Just wanted to confirm memory of just what a 'cynic' is...

What breed are you?



Amicus

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I won't be inviting you to any cozy firelit evenings with good friends, a bottle of cheap wine, and a bowl of popcorn. Not with an attitude like that.

Stella would never invite me. She has me on Iggy.

 

[3113]

I will own up to it, having realized it some time ago, that I mistrust everyone's motives and believe no one is pure in any sense. Hypocrisy is the human condition, plain and simple. That extends to religion, politics, etc. Anything else, as a philosophy, is extremely naive. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't have principles. I do. I just accept that people are prone to be blind to what Jesus called the "beam in your own eye". Everyone is more concerned with the speck in his brother's eye.

A true cynic wouldn't need to announce this as they'd be cynical that anyone would give a shit, so why bother?

I think you're just a wannabe cynic.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Main article: Cynic


~~~

Just wanted to confirm memory of just what a 'cynic' is...

What breed are you?



Amicus

Sadly, it has come to mean something else....and that's what he probably means, I assume.

 

[amicus]

As much as I can recall from long ago studies, "one who questions", came to mind as the definition of 'Cynic', and yes the meaning has been perverted to the common usage of 'cynical', quite as Otto intended...

ami

 

[Huckleman2000]

I will own up to it, having realized it some time ago, that I mistrust everyone's motives and believe no one is pure in any sense. Hypocrisy is the human condition, plain and simple. That extends to religion, politics, etc. Anything else, as a philosophy, is extremely naive. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't have principles. I do. I just accept that people are prone to be blind to what Jesus called the "beam in your own eye". Everyone is more concerned with the speck in his brother's eye.

Yes, I'm a cynic, but that doesn't make me a bad person. It just makes me a realist.

Also a flaming dick.

 

[vrosej10]

I'm with you dude. I am also a pragmatist and a realist and I suspect everyone. I think we're all in it for ourselves and you have to be wary.

 

[ishtat]

Yes, I'm a cynic, but that doesn't make me a bad person. It just makes me a realist.

Change your name to Diogenes (of Sinope) you'll be a barrel of laughs.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Note how warm & pleasant STELLA is to the noob.

JJ: How on Earth do you get STELLA to put you on IGNORE and keep you there?

Cynicism's companion is the almost certainty that your fears wont ever materialize cuz most people are too damned lazy & dum to be as bad as we expect.

 

[Freefall_mc]

So Otto, you know what's it's like being on guard 24/7. It's tiring and lonely. However, it does make for good body tone, that tensed all the time. Tired of being tired.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Oscar Wilde defined a cynic this way: A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Cynicism is often the flipside of idealism; after one sees one's ideals destroyed enough times, he becomes a cynic.

I have no problem with Otto being a cynic. It doesn't make him a schmuck or a bad person. I've always enjoyed his posts.

 

[Freefall_mc]

A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.
- H. L. Mencken

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

So Otto, you know what's it's like being on guard 24/7. It's tiring and lonely. However, it does make for good body tone, that tensed all the time. Tired of being tired.

Cynicism doesnt make you vigilant and paranoid. You accept folks for what they are, which isnt much. Much of the time people are amusing, and when theyre competent or honorable or noble youre delighted.

 

[Edward Teach]

I will own up to it, having realized it some time ago, that I mistrust everyone's motives and believe no one is pure in any sense. Hypocrisy is the human condition, plain and simple. That extends to religion, politics, etc. Anything else, as a philosophy, is extremely naive. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't have principles. I do. I just accept that people are prone to be blind to what Jesus called the "beam in your own eye". Everyone is more concerned with the speck in his brother's eye.

Yes, I'm a cynic, but that doesn't make me a bad person. It just makes me a realist.

As I recall, Diogenes, an OC (original Cynic), acted like a dog, didn't bathe, pissed in the street and jerked off in public.

I don't want to be no Cynic.

Now, I might be a bit of a skeptic. And that means I have my doubts about your cynicism.

Edward the Recondite

 

[Freefall_mc]

Cynicism doesnt make you vigilant and paranoid. You accept folks for what they are, which isnt much. Much of the time people are amusing, and when theyre competent or honorable or noble youre delighted.

Touche.
I always preferred the word cautious though, which seems reasonable when shouldering the responsibility for others' wellbeing and happiness. It's not like cynicism has to take up much of your time, really. But I feel you do tend to miss that which is not boisterous, placid by the very nature of what makes it alluring.

Don't worry James! I shall not publicize what I read between your lines.