BROADCASTS.com

If we do not like our status quo, being a cynical may not be the answer. Today we explore Phillip’s question if cynicism defends the current system by transforming would-be followers into apathetic drones, too cynical to even fight for the chance of a better life. And for those that want to ask “why are we putting put with this” who better to chastise us than the cynics within our ranks?

Show Notes:

Are you apathetic?

The joys of HOA (old story)

Cynics and realists 

What’s the point of venting? 

The Decline of Unions in America

How to teach integrity

K Sera’s Afterthoughts:

• HOA’s are the worst, even if the idea of them is kind of… a societal good? *barf*

• I might be a cynical failure. Generally, I don’t trust people. As Hobbes would say, “...think about how you behave: when going on a journey, you arm yourself, and try not to go alone; when going to sleep, you lock your doors; even inside your own house you lock your chests; and you do all this when you know that there are laws, and armed public officers of the law, to revenge any harms...” 

We. Have. Locks. On. Our. Doors. 

And, unfortunately, our public officers are all too human. Easily corrupted. Biased. Racist. Sexist. Power hungry. Our hopes and expectations of them are betrayed over and over again.

People are lazy and self-interested. Count on that before all else.

But that isn’t the totality of people. They can be more. More than want and indulgence.

My optimism carves out an exception to my cynicism for those people who do great and moral things for the world and for others because they value morality. This is still self-interest, but it is combined with valuing others and others’ needs alongside their own. It is cooperation for mutual gain. Valued intrinsically. An internal motivation that is essential to their worldview and reflected in their behaviors and actions.

For goodness sake, do good!

No idea how to make these uncommon people more common, though.

How do you cultivate morality? Integrity? Better storytelling maybe? The stories we share define who we are as people, and if we want to be moral, we need more stories that reflect the morals we want to inspire in others.

Along with that should come empathy. I’m sure I had a recipe here somewhere...

...

Phillip’s Afterthoughts:

Oh boy. So I complain about cynical people and then I laugh at Sera’s suggestion that people can learn integrity. Hypocrisy is not so fun; especially when it’s recorded and published for all to hear.